It is an exciting time to be a DONA International doula, a member of the premier doula association in the world. Women across the globe appreciate and value the experience of having a doula – a knowledgeable, experienced companion – who stays with them through labor, birth and beyond. Birth doulas offer emotional support, encouragement and wisdom throughout labor and birth. Postpartum doulas support women and families through the transformation that a new baby brings to a family.
With more than 6,400 birth and postpartum doula members and growing, we are the largest doula association in the world. We support doulas by providing quality training and meaningful certification. We serve mothers and families by providing access to information and research about doulas, childbirth and the postpartum experience. DONA International certification sets the bar for doula education and professional development. It indicates to families that a doula has achieved a high level of training and professionalism.
The TODAY Show ran a segment on doulas on Thursday, November 20. While it did get some accurate information out about doulas, much of it was incorrect and many pieces were missing. It left many doulas feeling disappointed. But it is good that doulas were mentioned on national television. You can work in your local area to ensure that the reputation of doulas is a good one. Every time you work with a client, your adherence to the DONA Birth and Postpartum Code of Ethics and Birth and Postpartum Standards of Practice show how a professional doula operates and why doulas are a great addition to maternity care in almost every institution!
DONA International has put together a media kit for its members to use the TODAY Show piece as a springboard to attract local media attention. Whenever the word doula is mentioned in the national medical, it is a good thing for doulas. To learn more about the media kit, go to the discussion board at "Doula Talk" above and look in DONA Members Forums. If you are not already a member, it might be a good time to join so you have access to the media kit. If you are not a registered user on the discussion board, please follow the directions on the discussion board page and give us a few days to get you registered.
Please be sure to check out the online follow up article!
Ilana Stein's passing left a hole in the doula community and she will be missed. She was honored as a DONA International Founder Award recipient at our 2007 DONA International Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a beloved doula in her own community and she also served in a leadership role for the community based doulas in her area. She loved her job as a mentor. She always saw the big picture and helped move the doula movement forward.
She will be missed! DONA International is one of the designated recipients for memorials in her honor. If you would like to send money in her honor, please direct it to DONA International, PO Box 626, Jasper, IN 47547.
Plan now for the 2009 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia and 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico!
Conference Information
Plan now to join us in Atlanta, Georgia August 6-9, 2009 for our 15th Annual DONA International Conference. Click here for information regarding the conference. This information will continue to be updated as information is available.
Speaker Proposal Information
Click here for information regarding being a speaker at our 15th Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia - August 6-9, 2009.
Exhibitor Information
Click here for information regarding being an exhibitor at our 15th Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia - August 6-9, 2009.
14th Annual DONA International Conference Tapes and CDs
presented July 17-20, 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.networkcommunicationsaudio.com/DONA2008.html
Check out the 13th Annual Conference photos for a glimpse of the experience and plan now to attend the 2009 conference!! 13th Annual Conference Slide Show
"Beware of scams. Several of our doulas recently got the same notice from a person stating they were in the UK, coming to your area in need of doula services. Be care of scams like this. Often the writer asks you to accept a check or money order for over the amount of your doula fee and then to send them the balance. The client pays $1200 in a money order for a $500 service and asks the doula to cash it and give them the remainder. Then the money order is bogus and so the doula is out $1700. It will not seem bogus and the bank will accept it, but then a month later, you will be stuck with the consequences. If something does not seem right to you, just delete the email."
DONA International supports homebirth options in response to US News and World Report. Read our response.
DONA International Open Board positions - check them out! As Terms come up for renewal and application, we encourage our members to take a look and see if there is a position that suits yousr skill set and excites your passion to serve. Our organization is governed purely by volunteers - and we need you! Take a look and contact
for more detailed information.
Birth Certification Changes - check them out! Two important changes went into effect August of 2007. These changes include adding a breastfeeding component and developing a local resource lists for doula clients.
Childbirth Connection (formerly MCA) has posted a new Alert to help women, health professionals and others interpret the formal reports and media reporting from the March 27-29, 2006 NIH cesarean conference entitled "Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request." See our News and Events page for the full Alert.
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