In this post, you’ll find an overview of major, nationally operating doula organizations in the United States, of which some also operate internationally.
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In general, doula associations and institutes offer information, resources, doula training, doula certification options, and continuing education for birth professionals.
Keep in mind that due to the lack of official i.e. governmental standardization and regulation in the field, each doula organization usually provides different courses with different requirements and outcomes.
Quite some doula organizations also offer membership and community-building options for professional doulas that include a range of benefits, provide doula practitioner directories for those who seek to hire a doula, and/or offer parent services, workshops, and classes.
Birth Arts International
Birth Arts International is American-based but works internationally offering extensive doula, postpartum doula, childbirth educator, midwifery assistant, and advanced doula training.
Birthing from Within
Birthing from Within offers a variety of trainings for birth professionals and services for parents. The core philosophy of Birthing from Within is to address the deeper needs of expecting families by guiding them to unlock their inner knowing.
BirthWorks International
BirthWorks offers childbirth classes, parent classes, and professional doula certifications, seeing birth as an instinctive process and helping women to have more trust and faith in the knowledge that their bodies know how to give birth.
CAPPA – Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
CAPPA is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators, and Lactation Educators.
DONA International
DONA International is an American nonprofit international organization in evidence-based in-person and online doula training, certification and continuing education.
Although founded in the United States, DONA — which originally is an abbreviation of Doulas of North America, serves the international doula community.
DoulaMatch
DoulaMatch.net was developed to help expectant families quickly and efficiently find doulas (in the US and Canada) who are available during their due dates. The site also lists doula training events and programs.
INELDA – International End of Life Doula Association
INELDA specializes in end-of-life doula care and training. End-of-life doulas are also called death doulas or hospice doulas.
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
The International Childbirth Education Association is a nonprofit organization, and an autonomous certifying body governed by an elected volunteer board of directors. ICEA educates, certifies, and nurtures a community of professionals who work to increase global access to safe, and culturally respectful, family-centered perinatal care.
National Black Doulas Association® (NBDA®)
The NBDA® connects black birthing families with black doulas nationwide. The NBDA® overall mission is to help fight the black maternal mortality and morbidity rate in the U.S. and beyond through an educational development at the NBDA Leadership Academy ™, a Multi-level Doula Training Program.
National End-Of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA)
NEDA is a network of doulas from many backgrounds, philosophies, and skill levels who come together to share their wisdom with each other and the individuals, families, communities and caregivers they serve.
The network unites all those in the end-of-life doula field, both trainers and practitioners, to define and promote their role as caregivers, volunteers and/or professionals.
ProDoula
ProDoula is a training and certification organization for doulas and birth workers. ProDoula offers online and in-class local trainings across the US.
ToLABOR
The Organization of Labor Assistants for Birth Options & Choices, toLabor, is an international organization dedicated to supporting women’s choices in childbirth.
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