Favor to ask of those that bought the cert. packet through DONA

Luv2bemommy · 07-25-2006, 04:01 PM

I was just wondering if someone would please tell me (or maybe scan

) the papers I need for a birth.. I don't have the extra $ at this moment for the packet but I do plan on getting it soon.. Since I am volunteering I would like to start on it now and I would really like to go ahead and do this so it would count for my certification..

Thanks so much!

~Tranquility~Doula · 07-25-2006, 04:15 PM

The births that you do won't "count" towards certification until you buy the cert. packet. Just something to keep in mind.

Luv2bemommy · 07-25-2006, 04:27 PM

Ohhhhh! So I cant do births and use the dates of those before I actually buy the packet?? WHy didnt I think of that!

So, what all is involved in the certifying births other then the essay of the birth? How many extra forms would we need to feel out?

heathenmamaof5 · 07-25-2006, 04:36 PM

Candice, I'm looking at my cert packet. Yes, you have to order your packet before any births that count toward certification. You can print all the forms off the DONA website. For each birth you need copies of good evals from 3 clients (moms) you have provided labor support for. Good evals from 3 primary care givers (Dr or MW) and for each Dr eval a nurse's eval must also be submitted.

It also says evals must be done after attending your DONA approved training.

You also need documentation from at least 3 births. Birth record sheets must be filled out completely. Birth record sheets without a release signature can not be accepted for certification.

Hope this helped!

Then you also need to do a 500-700 word essay for each birth.

jesscardona · 07-25-2006, 04:44 PM

yes..you have to buy it b/c they stamp it and have the date...

Luv2bemommy · 07-25-2006, 04:53 PM

Ohh Thanks! Guess I need to buy this NOW.. LOL

So what if you arent able to get a dr and nurse eval?? I know I have heard of some people leaving the eval with the OB/nurse and leaving a SASE and they never return it.. What do you do then?

I don't know why I didnt think to look on DONA's website.. LOL At least my training has been done since Feb so I have that out of the way!

fearlessbirth · 07-25-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy

Ohh Thanks! Guess I need to buy this NOW.. LOL

So what if you arent able to get a dr and nurse eval?? I know I have heard of some people leaving the eval with the OB/nurse and leaving a SASE and they never return it.. What do you do then?

I don't know why I didnt think to look on DONA's website.. LOL At least my training has been done since Feb so I have that out of the way!

One thing I did notice upon closer reading of the DONA criteria is that the evals don't have to be from the same births your birth sheets are. So I think as long as you mix match and get the right amount of each (during the correct time frame, etc.) you're good to go. Also, I didn't have trouble getting evals. Immediately after the births the doc/midwife and nurses go to nurse's station to fill out paperwork..I snuck out of the room (mom and dad are busy admiring baby, baby nurse is in room, it's busy enough to sneak out) and went to them and just handed them to them and said it would take one minute. The doodled, handed them back and it was done!

tlcdoula · 07-25-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy

Ohh Thanks! Guess I need to buy this NOW.. LOL

So what if you arent able to get a dr and nurse eval?? I know I have heard of some people leaving the eval with the OB/nurse and leaving a SASE and they never return it.. What do you do then?

I don't know why I didnt think to look on DONA's website.. LOL At least my training has been done since Feb so I have that out of the way!

If you can't get the evals you need then that means you need to do one more birth. Unfortunately you need to keep doing births until you have met the criteria of having all the evals. For some that is easy and they get it the first three births and for others they need to do a lot more. I know someone that had to do 10 births before she got three of each. It was a bummer, but she couldn't get the forms back so that is what she had to do.

Stacie · 07-25-2006, 05:02 PM

I never left the eval to have sent to me. I always took a quiet moment after the birth to approach the doc/midwife (they are always still documenting things in the chart, etc.). I then say, "I am certifying through DONA as a birth doula. I would really appreciate if you could take 30 seconds to fill this evaluation out for me?" Then I leave it at the desk where they are seated, and they have always been finished for me to pick up before I leave my clients.

Important things to note:
1) Be friendly to the doc/nurse/midwife during the birth. IF the opportunity to introduce yourself comes up, do so, and let them know you are working on certification.
2) Make sure to include "it will take less than one minute," in your question when you ask to fill out the eval -- that seems less daunting then, "Here, will you fill this out for me?"
3) If anyone ever asks if they can do something for you, tell them, "I do need this paper filled out..." Believe it or not, after 2 of my cert births I had nurses ask me this, so I jumped on the opportunity!
4) Get evals from as many people as you can, that way your bases are covered. My third cert birth was with a midwife, but it ended up in a cesarean. I hated the midwife, loved the docotr. I got evals from both. The midwife's was not very nice, the doctor's was EXCELLENT! I chucked hers and kept his

.

Good luck! I was fortunate that I got all my cert births done in one month -- I was able to count each birth. I know it can often take longer, so I was grateful it worked out for me!

Luv2bemommy · 07-25-2006, 05:57 PM

Ohh Thanks everyone!!! So, the eval's doesnt have to be the same births as the ones I am doing the essay's and papers on, or does it? As long as I have 3 of each I'm fine?

tlcdoula · 07-25-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacie

I never left the eval to have sent to me. I always took a quiet moment after the birth to approach the doc/midwife (they are always still documenting things in the chart, etc.). I then say, "I am certifying through DONA as a birth doula. I would really appreciate if you could take 30 seconds to fill this evaluation out for me?" Then I leave it at the desk where they are seated, and they have always been finished for me to pick up before I leave my clients.

Important things to note:
1) Be friendly to the doc/nurse/midwife during the birth. IF the opportunity to introduce yourself comes up, do so, and let them know you are working on certification.
2) Make sure to include "it will take less than one minute," in your question when you ask to fill out the eval -- that seems less daunting then, "Here, will you fill this out for me?"
3) If anyone ever asks if they can do something for you, tell them, "I do need this paper filled out..." Believe it or not, after 2 of my cert births I had nurses ask me this, so I jumped on the opportunity!
4) Get evals from as many people as you can, that way your bases are covered. My third cert birth was with a midwife, but it ended up in a cesarean. I hated the midwife, loved the docotr. I got evals from both. The midwife's was not very nice, the doctor's was EXCELLENT! I chucked hers and kept his

.

Good luck! I was fortunate that I got all my cert births done in one month -- I was able to count each birth. I know it can often take longer, so I was grateful it worked out for me!

I am right there with you on this one. I always approached the doctors and nurses and asked them to do it and pointed out that it was only four questions (is that all it was? Can't remember, but I pointed out that it is on x number of questions). Only once did I have a doctor leave too quickly and that was a mess getting the evaluation back. It was for my sister's / niece's birth. The doctor was a butt when it came to her taking it in too him. I was so hurt as he used to be my doctor and I knew him, so when she came back with the form unfilled out I sat down and composed a really nice letter. In the letter I detailed what I had done for his patient (making it professional and not from the aspect of being the sister). I asked him to please fill out the form and return it in the self addressed, stamped envelope and he did. He didn't sign his name or write anything, but he did fill it out. Didn't give me rave reviews, but I didn't care at least I got what I wanted LOL

Getting them done in person is best and if mama can let the doctor know that you will be asking ahead of time that is even better because then they expect it.

tlcdoula · 07-25-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy

Ohh Thanks everyone!!! So, the eval's doesnt have to be the same births as the ones I am doing the essay's and papers on, or does it? As long as I have 3 of each I'm fine?

Yes, that is right.

Luv2bemommy · 07-25-2006, 07:41 PM

Thanks!!

surrodoula · 07-26-2006, 02:26 AM

Another good tip - get the nurse who sees you most actively working with the client to do the evaluation. One of my first births was really long, and I didn't think to ask for an evaluation until after the birth - and the nurse only saw me with the client once she had an epidural. she still filled out the evaluation, but did say that it would have been better had she been able to see me during more of the non-medicated labouring!

1stimestar · 07-26-2006, 01:38 PM

Heh, looks like I'm not needed here. You all have it covered.

Btw, until a few years ago you could just download the proper forms from the DONA webite, do your births, order your packet, fill it out and be done. But then it got to where people were not paying attention and not looking enough at the guidelines. They sent in incomplete packets or paperwork from births that would not count. That is why DONA changed it so that you must have your certification packett in hand before doing any qualifying births.

And please, do not expect to be certified after doing only 3 births. It normally takes more. It should take more!

Good luck.