Category: certification

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Recertification

Recertification

As professionals dedicated to excellence and impactful care, we understand that learning is a continuous journey and we’re so happy to invest heavily each month in newsletters, webinars, new courses, program updates and more to serve you as our alumni. This month’s blog shares an important reminder about staying relevant, effective, and confident in our roles: recertification.

When Doula Canada became an approved vocational school years ago, we undertook that for students to be able to use RESPs to pay for their education. One of the requirements of that program and of many other provincial and state doula associations was a requirement for recertification to be part of the organization’s standards. This requirement has been in place since 2017 when this was first introduced. See FAQ item posted here. This requirement however has not been enforced administratively and was up to individual doulas to submit their Continuing Education Units (CEUs). 

We’re now introducing a more formal way for us to track and support alumni with this process. 

What does recertification entail?

Trust us when we say we want this to be EASY. No one wants a complicated and convoluted recertification process. We will require only 2 things for recertification: 15 CEUs and an up-to-date CPR/First Aid.

THERE WILL BE NO FEE FOR RECERTIFICATION AT THIS TIME. The earliest date we will require recertification is December 2025, one year from now.

Why is Recertification Important?

There has long been debate about many aspects of our profession, credentialing in general and of course the professional aspects of being a “profession” at all! As leaders who’ve been working in the field for over 20 years we’ve seen a LOT of change. Similar to modern midwifery, the doula profession has experienced a conflicting balance between wanting the work to be accessible for families but also wanting to maintain independence from the colonial and capitalistic aspects that formal regulation brings. Ultimately it always calls for a trade-off or balance of priorities, needs and desires. As we look to the United States and see more and more states covering doula services through Medicaid, the future is pretty clear: our profession is trending in the direction of expansion. This means more doulas and more coverage, and more structure.

How Can I Get CEUs?

Have you noticed that Doula School offers our alumni FREE monthly webinars? Each webinar is worth 1 CEU and they are hosted almost every month of the year! This is a cost effective way to get your CEUs. We also launch new courses each year, giving you the chance to learn a new skill AND gain valuable CEUs. And of course you’re always welcome to take courses from other organizations that offer something you’re wanting to learn about. We will also have other simple ways to get CEUs at no cost. We will be launching a recertification guide in the coming weeks and it will give you lots of information about how to get everything done. Please note that if you unsubscribe from our newsletters  you won’t receive important information about webinars or recertification notices. You can resubscribe here on the website.

When do I need to recertify by?

We are giving all students one year to complete these steps. You are welcome to submit earlier if you prefer (and are due for recertification) but it will not be REQUIRED until December, 2025 for those who certified before December 2022. 

If you certified after December 2022 then count 3 years from the time you certified for your due date. See more info in the FAQ about how to calculate your recertification period. 

 

FAQs

Why does Recertification Matter?

Staying Current with Industry Standards

The field we work in is dynamic and continually evolving. Recertification ensures you are up-to-date with the latest research, best practices, and trends. This not only elevates your own practice but also upholds the standards doula clients expect and deserve.

Strengthening Your Professional Skills

Recertification often involves engaging in advanced education, workshops, and reflective practice. These opportunities allow you to deepen your knowledge and refine your skills, ultimately making you a more effective and informed practitioner.

Building Credibility and Trust

Clients, peers, and employers value those who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and continued education. Recertification reflects your dedication and passion for ongoing improvement, reinforcing your credibility within the community.

Networking and Community Growth

Recertification often provides an avenue to reconnect with peers, share insights, and grow as part of a collective. This network is invaluable for support, growth, and even collaborating on new initiatives.

Adapting to Emerging Needs

As professionals, we serve a diverse range of needs that may evolve over time. Recertification helps us stay informed and prepared to meet these needs with competence and empathy.

Renewing Your Commitment to Excellence

Recertification is more than fulfilling a requirement; it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to providing the highest quality care and expertise to clients. We are here to support you every step of the way, with resources, guidance, and opportunities to make this process enriching and rewarding.

What is recertification?

Recertification is a way to ensure that our doulas and educators are maintaining their high level of knowledge and skills by showing proof of continuing education, even after their program is complete.

Why do we ask you to recertify?

We want to ensure that our doulas and educators are viewed as leaders in their field, and having organization-wide policies that show that our alumni are regularly continuing their education allows us to demonstrate our high standards. This policy also keeps us on par with other professions, such as Registered Nurses, Massage Therapists, Paramedics and Social Workers, which will allow us to keep moving the profession forward in recognition of the value of our work.

How often do I need to recertify?

We ask that you recertify every 3 years. You will receive notification when you are approaching your recertification deadline. If you graduated between January 1st and June 30th, your deadline will be June 30th of your recertification year. If your graduation date was between July 1st and December 31st, your deadline will be December 31st of your recertification year.

What if I don’t want to recertify?

If you don’t want to recertify then don’t! Quite simply there is nothing more ‘doula-y’ than doing what you want (after all, isn’t that what we help all our clients to do?). If you no longer feel value in certification or recertification then ignore our reminder emails and carry on!

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About Us Canada certification community Members Mentorship

Doula Training Canada Becomes Doula School Canada

September newsletter

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Q & A: Doula Canada’s Rebranding to Doula School

We’re thrilled to announce that Doula Canada is officially rebranding as Doula School! 🎉 This change reflects our evolving commitment to providing top-tier education and support to those passionate about birth work. As Doula School, we’ll continue to offer the same high-quality training you’ve come to expect, but with an expanded focus on community, innovation, and growth within the doula profession.

Why the change? We’re rebranding to “Doula School” to better reflect our unified mission of supporting you through learning, mentorship, and professional growth. This new name represents our commitment to a shared educational journey, whether you’re just starting out or expanding your practice.

Q1: Will the courses be staying the same?

You can expect the same high-quality content and resources from Doula Training Canada. Our commitment to providing valuable, comprehensive education remains steadfast. We’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes for the past year doing a full educational audit of all courses, making lots of updates to our core offerings. We know that this will mark some of your lessons as incomplete that were previously complete and will add some new quizzes and assignments to the courses.

Please note that if you are very close to being done your course you DO NOT need to complete the new assignments, but we feel there is much benefit in you having access to them! If you’ve just begun your journey then we’d encourage you to go back and complete them when you can. Reach out to the mentorship with questions or if you need support with these changes. Anything you’ve previously submitted we continue to have access to, even if you don’t see it in your course outline anymore!

Q2: Will my certification still be valid?

Absolutely! Your certification remains fully valid, and all courses will continue to operate as usual. The rebranding to Doula School will not affect the terms of your certification or the recognition of your credentials. Everything will remain exactly as it was when you earned your certification through Doula Canada. You can rest assured that your qualifications are still recognized and respected within the industry, with the same commitment to excellence that you’ve always experienced.

Q3: Will the requirements change for those currently enrolled in courses?

New Changes to Education Units: Previously students were required to obtain additional Education Units (EUs) to complement their learning (in addition to the doula specific content you learn in the courses). We have now added requirements for CPR/First Aid, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC), and a Food Handling Certificate (for postpartum doulas). To align with the latest standards and ensure comprehensive training, these have been added to the certification requirements. Please review these changes to understand how they may impact your certification process and reach out to us with questions/concerns. These new additions now REPLACE the EUs needed to certify. But please note that if you were almost ready to submit your certification documents based on the former requirements we will be happy to accept that instead.

Q4: What else is changing?

Enhanced Learning Materials: We have made updates and improvements to our training materials to reflect the latest knowledge and best practices. These changes are designed to enhance your learning and provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. Over the coming weeks you will see many new handouts that you can use in your practice and with your clients.

Q: How can I stay updated on the latest news from Doula School?

You don’t need to do anything differently! Just keep following us on social media, stay subscribed to our newsletter, and check our website as usual. Everything will remain the same except for our new branding, and we’ll continue to keep you updated with all the latest news and developments.

Still have questions? Send us an email.

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certification

An Update on Booster Classes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1705498911579{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Dear Doula Canada Alumni,

We’re excited to share a significant update with you!

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we swiftly transitioned to online learning, ensuring our students maintained access to programs and certifications.

Understanding the preference for in-person learning, we introduced “booster classes” – periodic, in-person sessions allowing you to enhance hands-on skills at no extra cost while navigating self-directed courses. As we move beyond the pandemic, we’ve adapted our approach. Booster classes remain, now offered as engaging 100% live and virtual sessions every 3 months.

Each session includes 3 hours for Birth Doula and 3 hours for Postpartum Doula learning. Best of all, these sessions are free for self-directed doula training participants. Should you wish to transition to a fully in-person class, we’re delighted to offer a 50% discount on the current price for self-directed program enrollees.

We appreciate your support during the challenging times, and if you have any questions about the new booster format, feel free to email DTC headquarters at info@doulatraining.ca. Thank you for being part of the Doula Canada community!

Warmly,

Stefanie and Julia

Co-Directors DTC

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Categories
Business certification Childbirth Educator

Where Can My Doula Career Take Me?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1694438520551{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As unregulated health care professionals, a doula’s role involves advocacy, education, counselling, collaboration and negotiation to provide physical, emotional and informational support to individuals and families across the full spectrum of their reproductive choices. This role relies on a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. With the foundation of your doula experience and education you can choose to grow your career path in many different directions. 

So let’s talk about some career options that complement each other. 

Lactation Consultant or IBCLC 

These are two different avenues of support. 

A Lactation Consultant/ Educator works with families from preconception through the stage of weaning offering education, encouragement, counseling, an experienced point of view, and fostering confidence, and a commitment to body feeding. Lactation Educators can be found working in a variety of settings to offer their services to families. Families can find them working as public health educators, WIC peer counselors, hospital/community educators, pediatric support professionals, and in private practice as educators. You can find certifications online for these programs. 

An International board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) is an allied healthcare professional who specializes in caring for bodyfeeding parents. They’re qualified to treat common nursing problems along with more serious conditions such as mastitis and clogged milk ducts. Lactation consultants most often support parents in how to increase milk supply, find the best nursing position, and manage breastfeeding pain. IBCLCs are held to strict standards. To be accredited, they must complete 90 hours of training, 300 to 1,000 hours of clinical experience, and extensive health sciences coursework. An accredited lactation consultant must also recertify every five years and continue their education.

Prenatal Fitness Instructor

As a Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Instructor, you can help educate and train clients in all stages of pregnancy – before, during, and after – about what is safe for them and, conversely, what should be avoided to help protect the health of both the gestational parent and baby. Furthermore, fitness training is a fun way to meet new clients and get to know them in a positive environment. Prenatal fitness certifications are available both online and in-person. Take a look in your area to see what works best.

Perinatal Counsellor

Perinatal counselling provides emotional support and treatment for individuals (and couples) who are having a difficult time adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood, who are experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety problem, or who are experiencing both. Some of this work can naturally overlap with a client’s pregnancy and birth journey. If you really enjoy the counseling and support side of birth work you may want to become a psychotherapist or mental health professional. You can find certification courses through college or university or through private vocational training schools. 

Birth Photographer

If you have a creative eye, you can capture the moments of birth for clients on camera. A few of our alumni have combined their creativity with a love of birth. You can either work solely as a Birth Photographer, documenting the pregnancy journey and birth. Or you can have photography as an additional service available through your doula work. It depends what you’re comfortable with and how you’d like to structure your business. Each client is different and you’ll want to work with them to understand what their goals are and what kind of pictures they’re looking for. The great thing about this career path is a relatively low barrier to entry. If you already have a love of photography and a camera you can get started. Alternatively, there are a variety of photography courses available both online and in person.

Midwife

A healthcare professional that assists with the labour and delivery of a new baby. Midwifes are experts in low risk pregnancy and birth, providing care to patients and delivering the baby. In the case where there are concerns or complications, a midwife can transfer care to a physician if needed. A midwife is different from a doula, in that they are a trained medical professional who can deliver a baby. A doula is trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to clients. However, a doula is not a medical professional. A question we see a lot at Doula School is does a client benefit from having a midwife AND a doula – the answer is yes! They both provide very important services to clients, and many people find it helpful to have both. Training to be a midwife typically takes between 3 and 4 years, depending on the program and its requirements.

Labour & Delivery Nurse

They work as main points of support for OBGYNs, monitoring of patient vitals, administering medication, and establishing communication with expectant parents. Once a baby is born, the L&D Nurse acts as an informational resource to parents, to monitor neonatal vitals, to ensure the birthing person isn’t experiencing postpartum complications. Nursing degrees can vary depending on where you are located, however they typically take 3-4 years.

Whatever path you decide to take, know you have a foundation of knowledge that will help carry you through. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Business certification Labour Doula

Alumni Journey – Helena’s Doula Path

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Alumni Journey – Helena’s Doula Path

Where it all began –

Back in 2011, being a stay at home mom for over 10 years, working only part time here and there to keep me home with the kids – it was time for change. BIG change. I was losing my sense of self, kids were getting older, my husband had just changed careers and I needed something for ME. I always had a passion for women’s health, nutrition, natural healing. I looked into a few options, but midwifery REALLY resonated with me. Before I could even apply, I needed to upgrade some high school courses to get my grade point average up (apparently my memory of what a great student I was back in high school wasn’t…so…accurate…). I began looking into other things that could help boost my application and that’s when a trusty google search popped the word “doula” in front of my face. I am a mother of three and had never heard of a doula before – but man did it sound like a perfect thing to learn about while trying to pursue my goal of becoming a Midwife. I sneakily went into my “secret stash” of money that I was saving for a new camera and booked myself into a doula training course just 10 minutes from my house. Literally decided to take doula training on a Tuesday, enrolled for that Friday and the rest is HISTORY.

From the moment I attended my first birth as a doula, I knew I was meant to be on the emotional side of birth…NOT the medical. So I tucked my midwifery goals aside, dove head first into my Doula Career and became certified. My Trainer was none other than Stefanie Antunes and since that first weekend together, we have become lifelong friends and “soul sistas”. Stefanie is the real deal people, she’s been there, done that, always re-inventing herself and truly a driving force for better birth.

Stefanie also had this little “project” called the Birth Doula Program she had just launched before I met her and she needed someone to take the reins and work alongside her for a bit. I applied for the position and her and I have been partners in crime to this day, nurturing what many have viewed as a lost cause (more on that in a bit).

A few years later, I found myself wanting to do as much education as I was “doula-ing”, so looked into Prenatal Educator Programs. Once again, I was trained by Stefanie and this time the added bonus of an old high school friend and colleague Jen Rogers. By 2016 I achieved my Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.

I have been on the Board of Directors for the Association of Ontario Doulas. I have managed the Discover Birth Team. I have consulted with Health practitioners across Durham region helping them to expand the support they offer their expecting clients. I have facilitated seminars and info sessions for Doctors, Midwives, Nurses and colleagues. Give me a microphone people – the stage is my jam.

First and foremost though, I have walked the walk. I have listened more than I have spoken to truly understand a family’s fears and intentions. I have driven the miles, put in the hours, lost the sleep, and cried the tears. Left my kids recitals and missed birthdays. I’ve laughed, hugged and done more hip squeezes than I care to count (in positions I can’t even describe). I may be 50lbs overweight but no one holds a candle to my arm and shoulder strength. I’ve doula’ed through the pandemic – when human rights were being violated, but technology kept the doula in the birth room. I’ve needed support after a long hard birth and I’ve given it right back – even at 2 am when I WASN’T on call. I’ve even had the honour of performing Henna Belly blessings and learning all about the different beautiful cultural traditions of birth.

These past 10 years have been life changing. I’m a better mother, friend and wife because of this career and nothing beats the moment a birthing person looks you in the eye after the hardest and most impactful time of their life and no words even have to be spoken – you just feel the energy in the room – they did it and you helped that confidence bloom.

Being a Doula is a privilege. It’s truly a gift, never to be taken for granted. I lost my mother very young (she passed away from cancer at 39 years), so I know how precious life is. I really feel I was meant to do this work – be there for families, for women, for people.

Some of my favourite memories, so far:

*Medical professionals remembering me from a previous birth and exclaiming to the room, we are in “good hands”.

*Coming full circle as a colleague in the “birth world” when Stefanie and I were ready to change the previous model of the Birth Doula Program and expand it into more hospitals. We secured a meeting with The Director of the Alongside Midwifery unit at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She knew Stefanie professionally and she knew me from attending births together with clients under her care.  After hearing our “pitch” she said: “You are the ones mentoring these doulas and running this program, so I have every confidence they are getting the right support. If you’re teaching them, how I know you both are as doulas, then I see no problem in launching this program”

Or at least I think that’s kinda what she said…cause I was having a surreal girl crush kinda moment being complimented by Ontario’s Midwife # 1 and head of Canada’s first Midwifery led hospital unit…

*Those moments: when you don’t know you’re being watched, when you don’t know yet the ripple effect you’re causing. When the support you give rolls into 100’s of doulas lives – helping them launch their careers and in turn helps 100’s of families.  It weaves into a new parent’s confidence as they bring their baby home. Impresses knowledge so a family can make the best choice for themselves.

As I approach a crossroads in my career, deciding whether or not to hang up my doula shoes, I look back on those moments and feel nothing but gratitude.

Two years ago I put my doula career on hold as we moved from the city to the country and I was a surrogate. Having supported many families with that dynamic of growing their family, it was an honour to have been able to do that for someone. My daughter was able to be there at the birth too – how serendipitous to have had her there experiencing a true miracle. A beautiful little girl was born right on her due date (Thanksgiving Day!) and since then I have only been taking a few clients and teaching online here and there.

My husband’s renovation company is also thriving, so I’ve enjoyed jumping in and learning to manage things together with him.

In the past year, I have stepped away from the Birth Doula Program to a more quiet role (but still help with training new Doulas). I don’t belong to any birth related Boards or Associations (except my son’s local Hockey Centre Board). I’ve also said I’m retiring from doing births and only want to teach part time.

So don’t tell my husband that I bought new doula shoes, booked up my October with classes and may have booked a couple clients the month we are supposed to be taking a family vacation…this Doula isn’t going anywhere.

Parting words?

Listen more than you speak.

Surrender to the moments in labour so you can grow your confidence and truly be present for the person trusting you with this experience.

Don’t spread yourself thin – I have missed ONE birth out of 100’s in 10 years…I wanted to hit the ground running and DO everything when I started my career. Instead be truly MAGNIFICENT in one or two things you do, instead of OKAY in many.

Check your bias at the door.

Stay Hydrated…legit

 

Helena McMann

Doula School Graduate

CD(DONA) Doula

LCCE Lamaze Childbirth Educator

Co-Director, The Birth Doula Program[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]