Blog / DONA News
Find out more about DONA International, the world’s largest, longest standing and most respected doula organization in the world.
Our training and certification are recognized world-wide as the standard for the doula profession. We are a growing, not-for-profit, member led organization dedicated to the advancement of doulas. Stay up-to-date on DONA International and see the difference we make for doulas and families.
Best of the International Doula – March for Moms Organizer: Doulas Play a Critical Role
By Jessica English, AdvCD/PCD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of the International Doula. The International Doula is DONA International's quarterly magazine sent to each member's home as a member benefit. They are also...
New York State Enlists Birth Doulas to Reduce Maternal Mortality in People of Color
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Governor Andrew Cuomo shared on Sunday that New York State would be enlisting the help of birth doulas to reduce the rate of maternal mortality for people of color in the state. In the United States, people of...
New DONA International Training to Add Canine Labor Support to Your Doula Practice
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), WOOF(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE Are you a doula looking to add a skill to your current doula skillset? DONA International is pleased to offer a groundbreaking continuing education opportunity that you can take back to your doula...
DONA Partners with March for Moms to Advocate for Families
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE When doulas are working one on one with their clients, whether during pregnancy, birth or postpartum, the doula's role is one of helping families to find their voice, build their confidence and respect their...
A Membership with Benefits: #DONAProud
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International was founded 26 years ago by five of the most amazing people! Dr. John H. Kennell, Dr. Marshall Klaus, Annie Kennedy, Penny Simkin, and Phyllis Klaus sat down and established the organization...
DONA Honors Black History Month 2018 – With Some Exceptional Doulas
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE February is Black History Month, and we celebrate the contributions of African Americans and recognize their impact in the world. The issues of increased health disparities and poor birth outcomes for Black...
Meet Ana Paula Markel – DONA International’s New Board President
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I would like to introduce you to Ana Paula Markel, DONA International's President of the Board of Directors. Ana Paula began her term with the new year and I was excited to have the opportunity to ask some...
Five Reasons You Need to Vote in the 2017 Board Elections – Vote Now!
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International members, hopefully, you have received (and read) the emails and ballot in your inbox informing you of the current elections for open DONA International Board of Director positions. If you...
Dr. Michael Klein Remembers Marshall Klaus, DONA International Founder
By Michael Klein, MD Dr. Marshall Klaus passed away on August 15, 2017, at the age of 90. Dr. Klaus was one of DONA International's founders and a leader in maternal-infant bonding. We have covered Dr. Klaus' death previously on the blog. This past weekend, there was...
DONA International Advocates for Families in Washington D.C.
Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE I am writing to you from Washington D.C., where I have just wrapped up attending the DONA International Annual Trainers Retreat. This gathering was a chance for birth and postpartum trainers to meet, share and...
Congratulations to DONA’s Newest Advanced Certified Doulas
Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International is the oldest and the largest international doula organization in the world. Founded by five visionary leaders who saw a need and filled it, DONA has grown into an amazing organization and has...
Marshall Klaus Made the World Better for Mothers, Babies, and Families
By Penny Simkin, PT Marshall Klaus, MD, friend, and advocate for babies, mothers, parents, and doulas, died recently at his home in Palo Alto. We send our sympathy and love to his family, especially dear Phyllis, his wife and partner in their seminal work. Marshall...
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
As I sit writing this post in an eerie haze of strange sunshine attempting to make its way down to the earth, I realize that my attentions have turned to Fall, cooler weather and evaluating my 2018 client and teaching schedule. Time marches on and waits for no one,...
Cultivate Connections! DONA Virtual Conference and 25th Birthday Celebration Is Not to Be Missed
By Sharon Muza, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE It’s conference time Summer for those in the Northern Hemisphere is a time to kick back and relax, because the living is easy. Lazy days of summer may at times feel unproductive. Did you know that by registering...
DONA Needs Your Energy, Vision and Ideas for Our Leadership Team
By Sharon Muza, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International is celebrating their 25th year as a doula organization in 2017. I am proud to say that DONA has never been so strong and vibrant, so full of potential and so primed and ready to carry the doula...
DONA International Commits to Increased Advocacy Efforts to Improve Maternal-Child Health Outcomes and You Are Invited
By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE DONA International recognizes that when working in the birth room or with a postpartum family, doulas help clients find their voice and increase their own self-advocacy skills. That does not mean that we feel...
DONA International Attends Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care
By Melissa L. Harley, AdvCD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, DONA International Director of Marketing and Public Relations According to results from our 2016 DONA International member-wide survey, DONA International membership reported strong interest in several causes important to...
Call for Session Proposals – 2017 Virtual Conference
It may only be January, but DONA International is already gearing up for the 2017 Annual Conference Cultivating Connections: It Starts With Us. This year’s evidence-based learning opportunity from the world’s largest and longest standing doula organization is online....