Birth Certification Required Reading List

In order for you to become certified with DONA International, you must read the latest revision of DONA International’s Birth Doula Position Paper and at least five (5) of the latest published editions of the following books from the DONA International Birth Doula Required Reading List. A Statement of Completion form is included in the Certification Packet.
 
Please read
  • DONA International’s Position Paper: The Birth Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity CareAnd the following two books:
  • Klaus, Kennell & Klaus  The Doula Book

      (You must be sure to have read this current version of the book-please open hyperlink to see)


And at least one of the following:

  • Kitzinger  The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Simkin, Whalley, Keppler, Durham & Bolding  

      Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: the Complete Guide

  • Douglas  The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: the Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth and

                    Everything in Between (U.S. or Canadian version)

  • Whalley, Simkin & Keppler  The Simple Guide to Having a Baby (simple English version)

And at least one of the following:

  • Harper  Gentle Birth Choices: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions about Birthing Centers,

                   Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, Hospital Birth

  • Gaskin  Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
  • Peterson  An Easier Childbirth: A Mother’s Guide for Birthing Normally
  • Goer  The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth

And at least one of the following:

  • Mohrbacher, Stock & Newton  The Breastfeeding Answer Book
  • Mohrbacher & Kendall-Tackett  Breastfeeding Made Simple (Available in the U.S. and Canada)
  • Newman & Pitman  The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers (Available in the U.S.)
  • Newman & Pitman  Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding (Available in Canada)
  • Huggins & Lawrence  The Nursing Mother’s Companion