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Pregnancy & Birth: Certified vs. Non-Certified DOULA?? - pregnancy.itags.org

Certified vs. Non-Certified DOULA?? (Pregnancy & Birth Question)
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How many of you have used both a certified and non-certified doula for your births? How did you decide on whether to use one or the other?? Those of you who are now experienced & certified doulas, what do you think?
I didn't use a doula for baby #1 (had a c/s) and am trying to find a doula to help us with #2.
Your thoughts are much appreciated!
Pregnant Mama

:dizzy
I am a doula who has chosen not to be certified.
It's important to remember that certification doesn't make someone a better or more qualified doula. There are plenty of great certified and non-certified doulas and plenty of not so great ones (just like any professional).
I think it's important to interview several doulas, ask your questions, ask for past clients to talk to, and then go with the one you "click" best with.

Thanks so much for your thoughts... Should/Does an uncertified doula charge much less than a certified doula? Does it matter once the uncertified doula has *adequate* experience?

Not necessarily. Just because she's not certified doesn't mean she's not as qualified or worth the cost. Each doula sets her own fees.

You'll find that the doulas in your area all charge different but similar rates but all stay within a certain range. Some are certified and some are not.
Like Heather, I've also chosen not to be certified (don't want to go through the hassle!). My experience & training speaks for itself. The best doulas here in our area with the most experience aren't certified.

A doula can be certified with DONA after only attending three births...so sometimes even though someone is certified it doesn't mean that they have more experience than someone who isn't...it just means that they had the evaluations, wrote their papers & paid their money. When you interview, ask the doulas what kinds of births they have attended (how many VBACs, where, any with your practitioner?) .
Best of luck with your birth!

I was certified and have chosen not to re-certify. I'm not sure if my doulas were certified or not...I think one of them was. It didn't matter to me. What did matter was that they had personalities and training/experience that suited me. :)

I am not certified and I agree with all of the above!

My doula was not certified for our first birth, and certified for our second (same doula for both births).
I thought certification was important to me when I first started looking for a doula, but as I did some phone interviews, I found that experience, knowledge of the birthing method I was using, and personality "fit" was actually far more important to me.

I never certified, and nobody ever even asked me. I think the important stuff is personality, training, experience, knowledge. Certification is one way to show some of those things, but not the only way.

pregnancy.itags.org Question/Article of: 'Certified vs. Non-Certified DOULA??', with 8 Comments.

Scope of Practice

A doula provides non-medical, holistic care to the childbearing family. Prior to the birth, she provides information to help a family plan what they would like for their birth. This includes providing current and correct information on childbirth practices and interventions. During the birthing process, she provides continuous labor support and helps the laboring family work smoothly through the process of labor and birth. She also helps facilitate communication between the laboring family and the medical staff.

Limits to Practice

While doulas are taught to identify non-medical needs, and implement actions to promote the mother’s well being, they do not prescribe medications or provide medical diagnosis. They also do not perform medical or clinical tasks. They also should only provide medical information for informing choices. Should further clarification be needed regarding medical care, the birthing family’s healthcare practitioner should be contacted.

Should a question arise as to the healthcare provider’s decisions made during birth, every effort should be made to discuss this with the healthcare provider. doulas are taught to be comfortable asking questions to the care provider. If the doula feels like full disclosure has not been made to her client regarding medical care, she should discuss this with the nurse or care provider outside of the patient’s room, then allow the caregiver along with the client to make the final medical decision.

Because every woman deserves support during her pregnancy and at childbirth.

I just wanted for everyone to see this ....

#2 of 8
7/6/07
Banana731
You can ask about her experience/training, what she will do for you, etc. And really I think a big part of choosing a doula is finding someone you click with, whose attitude about birth compliments your own. Certification just means a doula has had a little training(like a weekend course), read some books, and attended a at least a couple of births, you can find out if she meets those qualifications for your self. The certification process can be done over a couple of years, so she may be trained and just not done with the paperework yet, so you can ask about that too. Just because someone is certified doesn't mean that she is the right doula for you, so I think the most important thing is to talk to her, meet with her, and go with what you feel.

#3 of 8
7/7/07
DoomaYula
For example, Pam England (or is it someone else famous in the birthing world? but I'm pretty sure it's her) is an uncertified doula. Some doulas don't want to get certified.

#4 of 8
7/7/07
momuveight2B
Feeling that she is right for you is the most important thing, open communication and trust. You should feel like you can tell her anything, ask any question and be totally supported. Being certified doesn't help if you don't feel in sync.

#5 of 8
7/8/07
mb05
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Ladies!

I think I'm a little Obsessive Compulsive on this subject (pls forgive! I really think it's all these crazy pregnancy hormones, too)....if it came down to two doulas that you really clicked with, etc., etc. and one was certified and the other wasn't, which would you choose? I'm guessing it would be a money thing...???



#6 of 8
7/8/07
Individuation
Quote:
Originally Posted by mb05
if it came down to two doulas that you really clicked with, etc., etc. and one was certified and the other wasn't, which would you choose? I'm guessing it would be a money thing...???
I'd choose the one I liked the best, or the one who seemed like she had more free time around the time of my birth. I'd lean towards the non-certified one, but that's just me.

#7 of 8
7/13/07
vrclay
I think the most important things in choosing a doula is a "good fit" as far a philosophy.

#8 of 8
7/14/07
Grace24
We just chose one who is getting certified right before my birth so I will be her first paying client...but I'd have chosen her whether she was certified or not because: 1) she's obviously passionate about it, 2) she's been far more caring and attentive than anyone I asked and we haven't even met yet, and We just feel like a good fit. So just ask questions and see who feels right...I think it's important to feel like they really care about you from the start, and if they're available to answer your questions when you need them.

I am wife and an energetic Mother raising my five beautiful children aged between 6 to 19 years.

I am a doula, I have developed a strong passion as an advocate for all women. I did not finish my Certification. While I support efforts to legitimize doulas and our work, I am not necessarily an advocate of certification. It’s a cumbersome and costly process. my main reason one is that for me doula work is not a business. It’s a form of activism, and I have not yet found barriers to my participating in this work as a doula without certification. Training is almost always a requirement, but certification has not been.

I believe all women should have access to a supportive birth attendant .

My baby girl last day of school !
Sock hop day

Hugyourbaby.com

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Reasons to hire a doula ..

1.More likely to have a vaginal birth. With the cesarean section rate standing nationally at nearly a third of all births, it seems that have a doula to help provide you with a slight edge in the area of a vaginal birth would be a good thing.

2.Less likely to need forceps or vacuum extraction. No one wants to think about forceps or vacuum extractions being necessary at their births. Using a doula can help lower your need.Perhaps it's the labor positioning being used or that it happens when some of the other factors are met, like less use of anesthesia. But not having to use the dreaded "salad tongs" sounds like a winner in my book.

3.More likely to be satisfied with their birth. Satisfaction is for all the women, not just ones who had natural childbirth or a vaginal birth.

Is it the fact that a women is encouraged to make her own choices?

Is it that she feels like she was in control of the decisions made in her labor?

Having a good birth means a lot of things, and it looks very different to different women. It can also help lower the risks of postpartum depression.

4.Have a shorter labor.

Who wouldn't want to shave even a few minutes off the length of labor?

Is it the relaxation?

Is it the positions?

Is it the comfort of knowing that someone is there with you?

Reasons To hire a doula.

1.More likely to have a vaginal birth. With the cesarean section rate standing nationally at nearly a third of all births, it seems that have a doula to help provide you with a slight edge in the area of a vaginal birth would be a good thing.

2.Less likely to need forceps or vacuum extraction.
No one wants to think about forceps or vacuum extractions being necessary at their births. Using a doula can help lower your need. Perhaps it's the labor positioning being used or that it happens when some of the other factors are met, like less use of anesthesia. But not having to use the dreaded "salad tongs" sounds like a winner in my book.

3.More likely to be satisfied with their birth. Satisfaction is for all the women, not just ones who had natural childbirth or a vaginal birth.

Is it the fact that a women is encouraged to make her own choices?

Is it that she feels like she was in control of the decisions made in her labor?

Having a good birth means a lot of things, and it looks very different to different women. It can also help lower the risks of postpartum depression.

Have a shorter labor.

Who wouldn't want to shave even a few minutes off the length of labor?

Is it the relaxation? Is it the positions?

Is it the comfort of knowing that someone is there with you?
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