dona.org

DONA International is one of the longest-established doula organizations, offering birth and postpartum doula certification, a trainer certification pathway, continuing education, and a member community. It is a reasonable fit if you want a recognized certification with a defined step-by-step process, a code of ethics and standards behind it, and ongoing support after you certify. It is less suited to someone looking for a single weekend credential with no recertification or continuing-education expectations.

What DONA International actually is

DONA International describes itself as a doula organization that supports families through birth and beyond. Its site is organized around three audiences:

• Families — learn what a doula is, what birth and postpartum doulas do, the benefits of a doula, and how to find or hire a DONA Certified Doula.
• Aspiring and practicing doulas — training workshops, birth doula certification, postpartum doula certification, recertification, advanced doula designation, and doula trainer certification and renewal.
• Members — a member portal with profile and certification status, continuing education and credit hours, events and conferences, a resource library, advocacy and policy updates, discussion forums and peer support, and volunteer and leadership opportunities.

It also publishes a blog and International Doula Magazine, and maintains sections on its mission, history and research, leadership, board, partners, and standards and ethics.

Reasons to choose DONA for certification

A defined, step-by-step path

DONA publishes a step-by-step certification guide alongside separate pages for birth doula certification and postpartum doula certification. That structure matters if you want to know what comes next rather than assembling requirements from scattered sources.

Standards and ethics are part of the package

DONA maintains a Standards & Ethics section. For doulas, this is practical: it gives you a stated professional framework to point to when explaining your role to clients, hospitals, or other providers.

A trainer pathway, not just a doula pathway

Beyond certifying individual doulas, DONA offers Doula Trainer Certification & Renewal. If your longer-term goal is to teach other doulas rather than only attend births, DONA supports that progression.

Continuing education and recertification

DONA lists recertification, advanced doula designation, continuing education and credit hours, and events and conferences. This suits people who want a credential they keep current, and who value structured learning over time.

Community and peer support

Member benefits include discussion forums and peer support, plus volunteer and leadership opportunities. For a field where many practitioners work independently, having an organizational community is a real practical advantage.

International scope

DONA presents itself as international, with an International Doula Magazine and an international framing throughout. If you practice or plan to practice outside a single local market, that orientation is relevant.

Where DONA may not be the right fit

• You want the fastest possible credential. DONA's model includes certification steps, recertification, and continuing education. If you want a one-time training with no maintenance, that structure will feel like overhead.
• You only want a training workshop. DONA separates training workshops from certification. Attending a workshop and becoming certified are not the same thing, so check which one you actually need.
• You want to compare costs first. The site lists a "Certification & Renewal Costs" page, but the provided material does not include prices. Go to that page directly rather than assuming a figure.

How to decide

Practical next step

If you are deciding whether to pursue DONA certification, read two pages in order: the Step by Step Certification Guide and Certification & Renewal Costs. The first tells you what the work involves; the second tells you whether the commitment makes sense for you. If you are still exploring the field rather than committing, start with What is a Doula? and Why Become a DONA Certified Doula? before choosing a track.

A doula provides continuous, non-medical support to families through birth and the postpartum period. DONA International, a doula training and certification organization, defines two main roles on its site: the birth doula, who supports a family through labor and delivery, and the postpartum doula, who supports the family after the baby arrives. The clearest way to tell them apart is timing and task: a birth doula focuses on the labor and birth itself, while a postpartum doula focuses on the weeks that follow. Neither role replaces a nurse, midwife, or physician — doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks.

What a doula is — and is not

DONA International frames doula work as "supporting families through birth and beyond." That support is non-medical and continuous: emotional reassurance, physical comfort, and informational help, delivered by someone who stays with the family rather than rotating through shifts.

What that means in practice:

• Is: a trained companion who provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and unbiased information so families can make their own decisions.
• Is not: a medical provider. A doula does not perform clinical exams, monitor the baby, diagnose conditions, or make medical decisions for you.

This boundary matters when you're assembling a care team. Your clinical care comes from medical staff; your doula's value is the steady, non-clinical presence alongside it.

Birth doula vs. postpartum doula: the key differences

The distinction is one of phase, not rank. Some doulas train in one role, some in both. If you're hiring, match the role to the period where you want support — labor, the postpartum weeks, or both.

What doula support offers families

DONA International lists "Benefits of a Doula" as a topic on its site, and the field's core promise is continuity: someone whose only job is to support you, not to manage clinical care. Families typically look to a doula for:

• Continuous presence during labor, when staff may change shifts.
• Comfort measures and reassurance through a long, unpredictable process.
• Information to help you understand options and ask better questions of your medical team.
• Postpartum practical and emotional support while you recover and adjust.

Because doulas are non-medical, their support complements rather than competes with your clinical care.

How to use DONA International's resources

If you're exploring the field or looking for support, DONA International's site organizes its content into two paths:

• For families: "What is a Doula?", "What is a Birth Doula?", "What is a Postpartum Doula?", "Benefits of a Doula?", "Find a DONA Certified Doula", and "How to Hire a Doula."
• For aspiring doulas: "Become a Certified Doula", "Training Workshops", "Birth Doula Certification", "Postpartum Doula Certification", "Recertification", "Advanced Doula Designation", "Doula Trainer Certification & Renewal Costs", and a "Step by Step Certification Guide."

If your goal is to find a doula, start with the "Find a DONA Certified Doula" and "How to Hire a Doula" pages. If your goal is to become one, the certification and training pages lay out the path. Note that DONA's site lists certification and renewal costs as a topic, but the specific figures aren't included in the material here — check the "Certification & Renewal Costs" page directly for current numbers.

Quick answers

Is a doula the same as a midwife? No. A midwife is a clinical provider; a doula provides non-medical support.

Do I need both a birth and postpartum doula? They cover different phases. Choose based on whether you want support during labor, after birth, or both.

Are doulas only for home births? DONA's framing is about supporting families through birth and beyond, without restricting the setting — the role is defined by non-medical support, not by where you give birth.

DONA International's website provides a Find a DONA Certified Doula directory tool and a How to Hire a Doula guide — these are the two starting points for families who want to locate and engage a certified doula. The directory lets you search for doulas who have completed DONA's certification requirements, and the hiring guide walks through what to consider before making a commitment. This article explains how to use both, what DONA certification signals, and what factors typically matter when choosing a doula.

Using the Find a DONA Certified Doula Tool

The directory is accessible from the main navigation under "Explore Doula Support." It is designed to connect families with doulas who hold current DONA certification.

What to expect from the search:

• You can filter by location to find doulas in your area.
• Results show doulas who have met DONA's certification standards, which include completing a training workshop, attending births or postpartum shifts, and submitting required documentation.
• Each listing typically includes contact information or a way to reach the doula directly.

A practical note: Availability varies widely by region. If your area returns few or no results, consider expanding your search radius or contacting DONA directly using the phone number listed on the site — (505) 300-DONA (3662) — or the email address provided in the footer.

What DONA Certification Means as a Screening Criterion

DONA International is a doula training and certification organization. When a doula holds DONA certification, it indicates they have:

• Completed a DONA-approved training workshop.
• Met DONA's requirements for attended births (for birth doulas) or postpartum work (for postpartum doulas).
• Agreed to follow DONA's Standards of Ethics and scope of practice.
• Maintained certification through recertification requirements.

This matters because doula certification is not legally required in most places. Choosing a certified doula gives you a verifiable baseline: the doula has been trained to a specific standard, has practical experience documented, and is accountable to a professional body. That said, certification is one factor among several — personal fit, communication style, and availability also weigh heavily.

Birth Doula vs. Postpartum Doula: Which Do You Need?

DONA certifies both birth doulas and postpartum doulas, and the site separates these paths clearly.

Some families hire both. If you are unsure, DONA's "What is a Doula?" and "Benefits of a Doula?" pages under Explore Doula Support explain the distinctions in more detail.

How to Hire a Doula: Factors to Consider

DONA's "How to Hire a Doula" page is the site's dedicated guide for this process. Based on what the site covers and general practice, here are the key steps and considerations:

1. Clarify what you want

Decide whether you need a birth doula, a postpartum doula, or both. Think about your birth setting (hospital, birth center, home) and what kind of support you value most.

2. Search and shortlist

Use the Find a DONA Certified Doula tool to build a list of candidates in your area. Note their certification type and any specialties mentioned.

3. Interview candidates

Most doulas offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Use it to ask about:

• Their training and certification status.
• Experience with your birth setting or situation.
• Backup arrangements if they are unavailable when you go into labor.
• Their fee structure and what it includes.
• How they communicate between visits.

4. Check compatibility

You will be in a close, personal relationship with your doula during a vulnerable time. Trust your instincts about whether you feel comfortable and heard.

5. Confirm the arrangement

Once you choose a doula, get the terms in writing — scope of support, fees, payment schedule, and cancellation policy. DONA's site does not publish a standard contract, so the specific agreement is between you and the doula.

Common Questions Families Ask

Does DONA set doula fees? No. DONA does not publish pricing for doula services. Fees are set independently by each doula and vary by location, experience, and services offered. Ask each candidate directly.

Can I hire a doula who isn't DONA certified? Yes. Certification is voluntary. DONA certification is one way to verify training and accountability, but it is not the only path. If you choose a non-certified doula, ask about their training and experience directly.

What if there are no DONA doulas near me? Expand your search radius, or contact DONA International through the phone number or email listed on their site. The organization also has an International section, which may help if you are outside the United States.

Does hiring a doula replace medical care? No. DONA doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support. They do not perform clinical or medical tasks. Your medical care remains with your doctor or midwife.

Where to Go Next on dona.org

• Find a DONA Certified Doula — the directory search.
• How to Hire a Doula — DONA's hiring guide.
• What is a Doula? / What is a Birth Doula? / What is a Postpartum Doula? — role explanations.
• Benefits of a Doula? — evidence and rationale for doula support.
• Become a Certified Doula — if you are considering training yourself.

All of these are reachable from the main navigation under "Explore Doula Support." For direct assistance, the site lists a phone number — (505) 300-DONA (3662) — and an email address in the footer, along with a mailing address in Tallahassee, FL.

DONA International is a doula training and certification organization. Its website serves two main audiences: people who want to become certified doulas, and families who want to find or hire a doula. If you are exploring the doula field, seeking certification, or looking for a certified doula, DONA International is one of the established organizations to know.

What DONA International Does

DONA International positions itself around "supporting families through birth and beyond." Its work centers on the doula profession — training, certifying, and connecting doulas with the families who need them.

The site organizes its offerings into two broad tracks:

• For aspiring and practicing doulas — training workshops, certification paths, recertification, advanced designations, continuing education, and a member portal.
• For families — explanations of what a doula is, how to find a DONA certified doula, and how to hire one.

What Is a Doula?

A doula provides support to families around birth and the postpartum period. DONA International distinguishes between two main roles:

• Birth doula — supports a family through pregnancy, labor, and birth.
• Postpartum doula — supports a family after the baby arrives.

The site also addresses the benefits of having a doula, which is useful if you are a family deciding whether to hire one.

For Families: Finding and Hiring a Doula

If you are looking for support, DONA International offers:

• A Find a DONA Certified Doula directory.
• Guidance on how to hire a doula.
• Explanations of what a doula is and what birth and postpartum doulas do.

This lets you move from understanding the role to locating a certified professional.

For Aspiring Doulas: Certification Paths

If you want to become a doula, the site lays out several routes:

• Birth Doula Certification
• Postpartum Doula Certification
• Recertification for current certified doulas
• Advanced Doula Designation
• DONA Doula Trainer Certification & Renewal

Supporting resources include training workshops, a step-by-step certification guide, FAQs for aspiring DONA doulas, and a page on costs.

Membership, Community, and Events

DONA International also functions as a professional community. Members get access to:

• A member portal for profile and certification status.
• DONA Elevate continuing education and credit hours.
• Events and conferences, including the DONA International Summit.
• A resource library, advocacy and policy updates, discussion forums, and peer support.
• Volunteer and leadership opportunities.

There is also a blog and International Doula Magazine.

International Scope and Standards

As the name indicates, DONA International operates internationally, connecting professionals worldwide. It publishes standards and ethics and lists DONA International Partners, which matters if you want to know what a certification represents or how the organization governs its members.

Quick Reference

DONA International is best understood as both a certifying body for doulas and a connection point between certified doulas and the families they serve. Whether you are entering the profession or seeking support, the site's structure reflects those two purposes.

DONA International offers two main certification paths—Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula—and both follow the same basic sequence: complete a DONA-approved training workshop, finish the required reading and coursework, attend or support a set number of births or postpartum clients, submit documentation and fees, and then maintain your credential through recertification. The exact number of births, clients, and hours is set by DONA and can change, so verify current requirements on the specific certification page before you commit. This guide covers the general path, the documents you will need, and the common places people get stuck.

Choose Your Certification Path

DONA certifies doulas in two roles. They are separate credentials, not a single "doula" license.

If you are unsure which fits you, DONA's "What Is a Birth Doula?" and "What Is a Postpartum Doula?" pages describe the day-to-day work. Some people certify in one first, then add the other later.

Step-by-Step Certification Path

1. Complete a DONA-Approved Training Workshop

You must attend a training workshop led by a DONA-approved trainer. The workshop is the entry point—it is not the same as certification. It gives you the foundational curriculum, and you leave with the requirements packet and access to the next steps.

• Input: Your registration for a scheduled workshop.
• Action: Attend the full workshop (typically multi-day).
• Expected result: A workshop completion record that counts toward your certification application.

2. Finish Required Reading and Coursework

DONA requires a reading list and written work as part of certification. This usually includes books on birth or postpartum care plus written assignments such as essays or summaries.

• Input: The current required reading list from your certification page.
• Action: Read the books and complete the written assignments.
• Expected result: Completed documentation you will submit with your application.

3. Gain the Required Client Experience

This is the step that takes the longest. You must support real clients and have them verify your work.

• Birth path: Attend the required number of births. Each birth is documented, and the client (and often a nurse, midwife, or doctor) provides an evaluation.
• Postpartum path: Complete the required number of postpartum hours with clients, again with client evaluations.

Keep every evaluation form. Missing or incomplete evaluations are one of the most common reasons applications stall.

4. Submit Your Certification Application

Once training, reading, coursework, and client experience are done, you assemble and submit your packet to DONA.

• Input: Workshop record, reading/coursework documentation, birth or postpartum documentation, evaluations, and the certification fee.
• Action: Submit through the process described in DONA's Step by Step Certification Guide.
• Expected result: DONA reviews your packet and, if complete, grants certification.

5. Maintain Certification Through Recertification

Certification is not permanent. DONA requires recertification on a recurring cycle, which typically involves continuing education credit hours and documentation of ongoing practice. DONA Elevate is the continuing education and credit-hour system referenced on the site.

• Input: Continuing education credits and recertification documentation.
• Action: Complete the required credits and submit before your cycle ends.
• Expected result: Your certification stays active.

6. Optional: Advanced Doula Designation

After initial certification, DONA offers an Advanced Doula Designation for experienced doulas who meet additional criteria. Treat this as a later step, not part of initial certification.

Costs and What to Verify

DONA publishes a "Certification & Renewal Costs" page, which means fees exist for both initial certification and renewal. The site does not list specific dollar amounts in the material available here, so check that page directly for current figures. Budget for:

• Training workshop fee (paid to the trainer or workshop)
• Certification application fee
• Recertification/renewal fee
• Required books
• Continuing education costs for recertification

Do not assume any of these are free or included—confirm each on the relevant DONA page.

Resources DONA Provides

• FAQs for Aspiring DONA Doulas — answers common questions before you start.
• Step by Step Certification Guide — the official sequence for your chosen path.
• Birth Doula Certification / Postpartum Doula Certification pages — the authoritative requirements for each credential.
• Recertification and Advanced Doula Designation pages — what comes after certification.
• Member Portal — track your profile and certification status.
• DONA Elevate — continuing education and credit hours.
• Resource Library, Discussion Forums & Peer Support — ongoing help.
• Find a DONA Certified Doula — see how certified doulas present themselves, useful for building your own practice later.

Common Places People Get Stuck

• Confusing the workshop with certification. The workshop is step one; certification requires client experience and a submitted packet afterward.
• Losing evaluation forms. Collect and store every client and professional evaluation as you go.
• Letting the recertification cycle lapse. Track your credit hours in DONA Elevate rather than scrambling at the deadline.
• Assuming requirements are static. Birth counts, hours, and fees are set by DONA and can be updated—always work from the current certification page, not an old blog post or forum comment.

Quick Decision Guide

• Want to support people during labor and birth? Start with Birth Doula Certification.
• Want to support families in the weeks after birth? Start with Postpartum Doula Certification.
• Not sure yet? Read the "What Is a Doula?" pages, then attend a training workshop—it is the required first step either way.
• Already certified and experienced? Look into recertification first, then the Advanced Doula Designation.

The single most reliable next action is to open DONA's Step by Step Certification Guide for your chosen path and confirm the current requirements before paying for anything.