Many women have asked us about how to become a doula. So we have created a way to train and certify local (Central Arkansas) doulas. We are looking specifically for women who can work together cooperatively to care for pregnant women and their families.
If you would like to become a doula, contact us. We will be happy to sit down and discuss with you the pros and cons and the specifics of our program.
We train doulas for the central Arkansas area. The training itself is free. It will take about 1 year to complete the requirements. You will be responsible for buying books and materials, and spending many hours of time with pregnant and laboring women. You will be expected to study on your own and also communicate often with the Birth Works office and other doulas and students. You will be required to attend monthly meetings, and write book reports and research papers. So you should be a self-motivated and self-disciplined person with a real enthusiasm for women and families. You will not be paid for your doula student services. Once you become certified you will become part of the paid Birth Works team.
Here are the basic requirements:
- Come to and participate in monthly meetings
- Attend prenatal visits, births, and postpartum visits with a preceptor
- You must have a total of 10 documented births before you can be certified
- You must read and report on 5 books at least, from a reading list that we will provide.
- You must write 2 research papers (3-5 pages long each).
- You must complete all your paper work, including a birth summary for each birth experience you have.
- You must attend a full series of Birth Works Childbirth Classes (8 classes in the series)
- You must take and pass the final exam
- You must be evaluated by the Birth Works staff as being competent and capable to work independently.
- You must be willing to work with the other certified Birth Works Doulas after you become certified.
If you would like to become a certified BIRTH WORKS doula, give us a call. We’d love to meet you. 501-663-2850