*Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong section... wasn't sure which to place it in.*

How does one become a doula, specifically in the US? I am fascinated by the whole process of pregnancy, giving birth and newborns and wondered what kind of training you need to become a doula. And where would one find such training?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Ok, I will try to keep this short and sweet, but since it is one of my passions I can tend to go over the top with it... :)

Women have acted as doulas since the beginning of time, but there are now organizations that certify doulas. The first was DONA, but you will find websites for all of them with their various requirements. A search on "doula organizations/certification" should bring up several.

Generally, with perhaps a few exceptions as some are more extensive than others, you will need to attend a training workshop, have several required readings, attend a childbirth class (not as a participant), and attend some births as a training doula (with documentation from yourself, the attending nurse, and OB or midwife). For many people, the most challenging part tends to be finding a training in their area and getting some births to attend. (births in the past can't be counted)
You will need to recertify every few years, but there is less involved with recertification.

You don't have to be certified to work as a doula, but some hospitals and birthing centers may require it, definitely if you want to be actually employed by the hospital, and for many families that is how they first look for someone in their area. Some hospitals will have doulas available on staff... plus side you will get to know the other staff very well and usually have more births to attend, down side you may be somewhat restricted in what you can suggest depending on that particular hospital's policies. Many, if not most, doulas have a private practice and are not directly employed by a hospital.

Some doulas are labor doulas, supporting the family throughout their labor and birth... some are postpartum doulas, providing help at home... and some are both.

Thank you so much! That was exactly the summary I was looking for!

I just know that my pregnancy, labor and delivery would have been so much more comfortable and less scary if it had been handled less clinically. The thing that got me through was reminding myself that this was completely natural and that women had been doing it for as long as there have been babies.

Thanks again!