Educating my clients starts with educating myself
Certifications & Continuing Education
My Professional Credentials
Doulas are not regulated by any National organization. DONA is the oldest certifying organization, making it a highly coveted certification. There are others that are equally committed to preparing doulas with professional skills, deep knowledge, and proven proficiency. Some doulas choose to train but not certify, others are direct entry with hands-on experience, either group may hold liability insurance or not. If you plan to use fertility benefits, confirm what criteria you must find in a doula in order to be reimbursed.
In addition to being insured with CM&F, keeping CPR Certification current, I am a DONA trained (2019) & certified Postpartum Doula (2020), re-certified in 2024.
I am an Active Birth Institute trained & certified Labor Doula (2020), the business was sold to a doula collective, so recertification is no longer an option.
I am a Bereavement & Labor Doula trained & certified by Still Birthday in 2022.
Lactation Support is a regulated profession, so I am certified as a Certified Lactation Counselor with Healthy Children’s Project (2024), so I am able to support your successful breastfeeding journey as a doula, during our postpartum visits as your doula.
Continuing Education for Birth Work
Professional Doulas Learn so They can Teach
There are so many options & topics for birth workers to choose from among conferences, speakers, and organizations. The topics that are most attractive include maternal mortality for women of color, breastfeeding, and NICU support for new families. When selecting books or spending time, these are the topics that I select first.
My long-term goal is to enroll in ASL so I can support couples and families who experience hearing impairment or deafness. This a college class that needs a serious time commitment and financial investment.
For 2025, taking the time to join doula meet-ups, and to stop in at local providers to share the benefits of doula support (which is not easy for me!) are priority. Hoping to spend more time in NICU services and offering support to a broader population as my business grows.
