Open Heart Doula Services By Marie

08/28/2013

08/17/2013

08/17/2013

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.

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

08/17/2013

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.