I came across this title today while searching out local doula sites: Provisionally Certified Doula. In addition to this I’ve also seen: Pending Certification.
I see women more often specify themselves as a Doula-in-Training. This makes a little more sense in my mind only because it often is an indicator to prospective parents that this is a newer doula, they are looking for clients to complete certification & are often much more willing to negotiate on price and distance to client.
The time between submitting certification is usually a matter of weeks or a couple of months, rarely more than that.
My question is: Are the extra labels really necessary?
We already struggle to educate the general public about the role of doulas whether we are a Labor or Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula or Antepartum Doula. We label ourselves as certified or not certified. Isn’t this enough? Why are we further labeling ourselves when many people have no idea what a doula is at all?
Many parents don’t even ask whether or not a doula is certified, or where she trained and with what program. Most parents want to know what this is this doula’s philosophy about birth, do they click with this doula on a deeper level than most other people, and, most importantly, what this doula can do for them during their birth.
When we add additional labels to ourselves as doulas are we doing our clients a disservice?
Emily Martyn says
I think these are great questions! While certification seems important to many doulas, I think it matters less to clients. I’ve chosen to work as an uncertified, but highly trained, doula, and it hasn’t caused me any problems. The only people who ever seem to ask about my certification status are other doulas! Parents-to-be always ask how long I’ve been a doula, and how many births I’ve attended and seem less concerned that an organization they’ve never heard of has never said I’m “official.” All that matters is if they like my style! While certification is fantastic for some doulas, and encourages them to train and educate themselves, certification isn’t mandatory to be a great doula, and the vast majority of clients recognize this. Doulas should support each other and work for public recognition, rather than undermine each other and ourselves with detailed titles. A doula is a doula is a doula. The good ones never end their training. Don’t sell yourself short!
Afra! says
Reblogged this on .