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DONA International
PO Box 626
Jasper, IN 47547
1-888-788-3662

The DONA International Advantage
DONA International: We are the world’s premier doula organization

Pardon us for bragging, but we are the oldest, largest and most respected doula association in the world. Our founders are among the foremost experts on doula care, and DONA International certification is a widely respected measure of quality and professionalism. We are an international, non-profit organization of doulas that strives to have every doula trained / educated to provide the highest quality / standards for birth and/or postpartum support to birthing women and their families. To that end, we promote continuing education for doulas and provide a strong communication link among doulas and between doulas, families and the medical birthing community.

We are an amazing community with a shared passion for families that reaches around the world. DONA International doulas and the families they serve are in more than 20 countries.

It is an exciting time to be a DONA International doula, a member of the premier doula association in the world. Women across the globe appreciate and value the experience of having a doula – a knowledgeable, experienced companion – who stays with them through labor, birth and beyond. Birth doulas offer emotional support, encouragement and wisdom throughout labor and birth. Postpartum doulas support women and families through the transformation that a new baby brings to a family.

With more than 6,400 birth and postpartum doula members and growing, we are the largest doula association in the world. We support doulas by providing quality training and meaningful certification. We serve mothers and families by providing access to information and research about doulas, childbirth and the postpartum experience. DONA International certification sets the bar for doula education and professional development. It indicates to families that a doula has achieved a high level of training and professionalism.

The TODAY Show ran a segment on doulas on Thursday, November 20. While it did get some accurate information out about doulas, much of it was incorrect and many pieces were missing. It left many doulas feeling disappointed. But it is good that doulas were mentioned on national television. You can work in your local area to ensure that the reputation of doulas is a good one. Every time you work with a client, your adherence to the DONA Birth and Postpartum Code of Ethics and Birth and Postpartum Standards of Practice show how a professional doula operates and why doulas are a great addition to maternity care in almost every institution!

DONA International has put together a media kit for its members to use the TODAY Show piece as a springboard to attract local media attention. Whenever the word doula is mentioned in the national medical, it is a good thing for doulas. To learn more about the media kit, go to the discussion board at "Doula Talk" above and look in DONA Members Forums. If you are not already a member, it might be a good time to join so you have access to the media kit. If you are not a registered user on the discussion board, please follow the directions on the discussion board page and give us a few days to get you registered.