Certification Program

A dynamic program geared towards supporting growing the doula community and thus strengthening our mission to support women birthing autonomously.

We never want a technicality to block you from serving this community of amazing women. Experienced doulas (or doulas who have already begun training through another program), contact a member of the UBDA Certification Board for a preliminary interview.

If you don't know where to start, start with reading. Check the Resources tab for a reading list.

Pre-requisites

Any hands-on doula workshop

• Heather teaches one locally every year

A comprehensive childbirth class

• Megan's 6-week childbirth class series qualifies
• While useful, the free childbirth classes offered by the local hospitals are insufficient

Read, read, read

• Submit short (no more than 1 page) book reports on birth books you've read
  • Refer to the sample book report under the Resources tab
  • Report should include:
    • New things you've learned
    • A usable quote
    • A short summary of the book
  • Report on 1-2 books per section of the pre-approved reading list
  • You may submit a report on a book not on the pre-approved list if you clear it with a member of the certification board

Become a member of the UBDA

• Keep up to date with your yearly membership fees during the duration of your training (and hopefully beyond)
• There is no forced timetable for this program so long as you maintain your UBDA membership

Submit an application to the Doula Shadow Program

• Note the $50 application fee
  • The fee is a sign of your commitment to the program and helps discourage doulas-in-training from falling through when other doulas or pregnant women are counting on them to show up.

Doula Shadow Program

Remember that birth is dynamic and impossible to predict. The following program is outlined as guidelines to prepare you more fully to be an excellent doula. The Certification Board exists to facilitate flexibility within this unpredictable field. They have the final say over whether or not they feel you are ready to practice at the level of excellence required of a UBDA certified doula, and are intended to help guide your education, not hinder your progress.

Phase 1- Observation

• Attend 1-2 births as an observer where there is a doula present (your own births do not count)
• Plan on observing the senior doula
• Keep in mind you may be asked to leave during the birth
• Take notes (a guide for this is in the Resources tab)
• Attend 1 prenatal OR postpartum visit with the senior doula
• Provide a report on the birth at the next UBDA certification board meeting (see Resources)
  • Here we will determine if you need to observe another birth or if you may move on to phase 2
• Pay $50 per birth to the senior doula (this allows her to offer her client a discount as an incentive to have you present, or helps cover her regular expenses)

Phase 2 - Secondary Doula

• Assist a primary doula for 1-2 births (preferrably with different doulas)
  • Expect to observe and take notes as before, and also to be involved in the physical, emotional, and informational support of the birthing family as the senior doula deems appropriate
• Attend 1 prenatal appointment with a primary doula
• Attend 1 postpartum appointment with a primary doula
• Receive feedback from the birthing family AND the primary doula
  • To encourage honest feedback, this will be delivered to the certification board in a sealed envalope via the primary doula
  • The Certification Board will verbally share relevent information with you but will not provide you direct access to these feedback forms
• Provide a written report on the birth (see Resources)
  • This will be reviewed at the next UBDA certification board meeting, and we will likely call you to debrief
  • Here we will determine if you need to observe another birth or if you may move on to phase 2
• Pay $50 per birth to the senior doula (this allows her to offer her client a discount as an incentive to have you present, or helps cover her regular expenses)

Phase 3 - Primary Doula

• Find your own clients (1-2)
  • You are encouraged to charge them
  • You will be accompanied by a senior doula to:
    • 1 prenatal appointment
    • The labor and birth
    • 1 postpartum appointment
  • The senior doula will be there to observe and help in a secondary capacity. You will be the primary doula and expected to lead the way.
• Receive sealed feedback from the birthing family
• Receive sealed feedback from the senior doula
• Provide a written report of the birth
• Pay senior doula $25 per appointment and $150 per birth

Phase 4 - Professional Doula (with support)

• Find your own client (1-2)
  • You are encouraged to charge a fee similar to other professional doulas
• A senior doula will be available via phone to answer questions and should be used minimally
• Receive sealed feedback from the birthing family
• Report on the birth

Summative Interview

• Make an appointment with the Certification Board for a summative interview
  • Here we will determine if there are any significant holes in your education or training
  • If there are we will provide specific corrective steps
  • This interview is repeatable until certification is awarded

UBDA Certification Board

Megan Barnette

(928) 830-2108

Heather Barson

(435) 724-7559

Ashley Miranda

(435) 823-7656