All of the doulas who are affiliates are trained through organizations that have met the widely recognized standard for in-person trainings.  All the doulas have training in the following areas, and beyond:

• Hands-on doula skills
• The stages and phases of vaginal childbirth
• Understanding and knowledge of birth by cesarean and how to support families who give birth with this method
• Medical and non-medical methods of pain management
• Signs and symptoms of labor progress, and tools and skills that can be used during each
• Methods and processes that are typical for birth in a hospital setting, and communication

While we do not request a specific training organization, here is part of the process our doulas have met:

• They must take an in-person workshop from an approved training organization
• They must have infant CPR certification and liability insurance up-to-date
• They must pass a background check
• They must demonstrate basic and advanced knowledge of the process of birth and recovery, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the many topics and products that could be discussed by a new parent
• They must be committed to continuing education
• They must align with our values to work collaboratively with medical professionals
• They must have sound business practices and show they are interested in leaving our profession better than they found it
• They must have client referrals that are willing to discuss their experiences.  Should a doula be new to this field and not have client experiences to share, character references are required.
• They also undergo scenario conversations to help develop skills and language which gives support without showing judgment, offer advice only when it is requested or is made specifically known to be given, and to grow in their ability to see opportunities for improvement through mindfulness, values exploration, and goal setting.