Training, mentoring, continuing education, and support from and for all doulas is an essential part of maintaining the very best care for the families we serve. We believe that by providing opportunities for growth—for both new and experienced doulas—will strengthen our community of doulas and best serve families. 

If you are a new doula interested in gaining more experience, we offer mentorship to build skills and understanding of the business of being a doula, and the labor and birth process.

For experienced doulas interested in being part of the Collective, please review our code of ethics. Our standard of conduct is based on the DONA International Code of Ethics, but due to the evolutionary nature of this growing business and new technology, the Collective has set additional requirements for professionalism and conduct. Please carefully review the standard of care we expect.

Code of Ethics:

• Propriety. The doula should maintain high standards of personal conduct in the capacity or identity as a birth doula.

• Competence and Professional Development. The doula should strive to become and remain proficient in the professional practice and the performance of professional functions through continuing education, affiliation with related organizations, and associations with other birth doulas.

• Integrity. The doula should act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity.

Ethical Responsibility to Clients

• Primacy of Client’s Interests. The doula’s primary responsibility is to her clients.

• Rights and Prerogatives of Clients. The doula should make every effort to foster maximum self determination on the part of her clients.

• Confidentiality and Privacy. The doula should respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service. Under no circumstances should clients information or status of birth be shared publicly, this includes private social media groups.

• Obligation to Serve. The doula should assist each client seeking birth doula support either by providing services or making appropriate referrals.

• Reliability. When the doula agrees to work with a particular client, her obligation is to do so reliably, without fail, for the term of the agreement.

• Fees. When setting fees, the doula should ensure that they are fair, reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with services performed and with due regard for the client's ability to pay. The doula must clearly state her fees to the client, and describe the services provided, terms of payment and refund policies.

Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues

• Respect, Fairness, and Courtesy. The doula should treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness, and good faith.

• Dealing with Colleagues’ Clients. The doula has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.

Ethical Responsibility to the Birth Doula Profession

• Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession. The doula should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the profession.

• The doula should promote the general health of women and their babies, and whenever possible, that of their family and friends as well. 

• The doula should always be mindful of profesional conduct when participating in social media, maintaining the highest standards and protecting the privacy of clients

• The doula should honor the birth place and conduct should be respectful of the family and staff in the space

We are happy to include new doulas in the Collective, but always encourage an individual path and options. If joining the Collective is something you feel will not fit your needs, but you wish to be considered for the Collective's referral service, please email us at buffalodoulacollective@gmail.com.

Additionally, it is not necessary to be a member to join our educational opportunities for doulas.

We are in our infancy as a Collective. Please be respectful of the process as it unfolds organically.

Thank you for your interest!