Becoming a doula in Georgia involves three key steps:
1. Choose Your Doula Path
Doulas offer various types of support, so it's essential to decide which area aligns with your interests:
- Birth Doula: Provides support during labor and delivery.
- Postpartum Doula: Assists families in the weeks following childbirth.
- Antepartum Doula: Supports individuals with high-risk pregnancies before birth.
- Bereavement Doula: Offers care during pregnancy loss or infant death.
Understanding these roles will help you select appropriate training and certification programs.
2. Complete a Doula Training Program
Enroll in a reputable training program that offers comprehensive education and practical experience. In Georgia, several organizations provide such training:
- DONA International: Offers workshops covering evidence-based information, hands-on techniques, and business practices. Training costs vary; for example, a Birth Doula Workshop in Atlanta is priced at $699.
- DNT Network: DNT Network offers an accessible and affordable online doula certification course. This program is self-paced, designed to support a range of learning needs, and includes modules on non-medical birth support, postpartum assistance, and client care. The Birth Doula Certification course is priced at $99, making it an economical choice for aspiring doulas.
- MaternityWise: Conducts retreat-style workshops in Atlanta, focusing on various aspects of doula care. Their comprehensive training package, which includes multiple certifications, is priced at $1,200.
3. Obtain Certification
While Georgia doesn't mandate certification, obtaining it can enhance your credibility and client trust. Certification requirements vary by organization but generally involve:
- Training Completion: Successfully finishing an approved doula training program.
- Practical Experience: Attending a specified number of births or postpartum sessions.
- Examinations: Passing written or practical assessments.
- Continuing Education: Engaging in ongoing learning to maintain certification.