Mainstream’ (read white) doula organizations have been working with certain hospitals that have been implementing arbitrary doula certification requirements to be considered an “essential part of birth team” —- there are many advocacy efforts & pushback against these policies & we’re seeing a lot of wins in hospitals changing their ‘visitor’ allowance in some areas & allowing doulas regardless of their status! No one is the gatekeeper to this work, no matter how much certain people’s and organizations will try. You don’t have to be certified to be a ‘successful’ doula and you definitely do not need to train with a mainstream doula org to be “credible.” Are doulas allowed in hospitals near you?
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