When clients find me, they have decided that they want a doula who is trained, certified, and insured. You may or may not want that, depending on your budget, if you have fertility benefits, and availability in your area. These factors are just as important as experience, cultural background, and references. In addition to being a birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula, I am a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) through the nationally recognized Healthy Children Project. if you plan to breastfeed, and do not want to travel to see and IBCLC or back to your hospital’s breastfeeding clinic with your new baby, this certification may be super appealing. I am qualified to serve as your doula and offer you breastfeeding support in the early days, always remaining in my scope. 

When I chose my own doula, I wanted someone who was older than I was, though it did not matter to me if they were certified or highly experienced. I chose my birth doula based solely on that characteristic, and she supported my birth as part of her certification through the Childbirth Center. Having a doula with you improves the likelihood that you will have a birth experience with fewer interventions, shorter labor, and statistically less likely to end in cesarean. If you cannot find a doula who looks the part, or is in your budget, tweak your plan and bring a doula.