hello my name is Devin i am vgery interested in becoming a doula, i would love to help other women have the best birth possible to remember it as a wonderfull journey . pleas e -mail on the details which will help me become a doula.

-- Devin n Raglione (seldridge@enid.com), February 15, 1999

Answers

Hi Devin, The best way to get started, take a seminar. It is usually a weekend class. sat &sun. The cost for the class is about $250. Dona is a great organizatiion( doulas of northern amercia) check out dona.com They have listing of workshops that are going on. there might be one happening in your area. penny

-- penny harlan (harlanp@msn.com), February 15, 1999.

It depends on where you happen to be what is easiest and best for you. You've got plenty of options. The first thing I would do is to go to the DONA (Doulas of North America) website (www.dona.com, ICEA Internat'l Childbirth Educators Assoc) website (ICEA.org) and give a call to ALACE (Assoc. of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators) at (617) 441-2500. There is also Childbirth Enhancement Foundation in Florida. They are at www.cefcares.org I believe that they only do trainings in Florida.

I am certified with DONA and have done the ALACE workshop. They are both great organizations. DONA, ALACE and ICEA do trainings all over the country so there is certain to be a training in your area. You could also sponsor a training if you want to go all out!

I think I'll add a section with this information to my website!

You could also see if there are any doulas in your area and talk to them about how they got started. You can get the names of local doulas from DONA, ALACE, ICEA and from local childbirth educators and care providers.

Have a good day!

-- Kirsten Gerrish (kirsten@doula.net), February 16, 1999.

Hi Devin:

I just completed my Doula training and would like to give you my input. Try contacting some of your local technical colleges. It takes a couple of weekends and then you need to get certification through any of your local Doula associations. Good luck!

-- Nora Walker (nonicha@aol.com), August 07, 1999.