Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about Doulas and Childbirth Educators

1) What is a doula?
2) Why should I use a doula?
3) What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
4) What’s the difference between a doula and a labor assistant?
5) What is the difference between ALACE doulas and other doulas?
6) If I have a midwife or am having my baby at home, why would I need a doula?
7) If my husband or partner is there with me, why should I use a doula?
8) I’m planning to give birth in a hospital; why should I use a doula?
9) I’m planning to have an epidural; why should I use a doula?
10) I’m planning to have a C-Section; why should I use a doula?
11) Can a doula take care of my older children while I’m in labor?
12) Will my insurance cover my doula’s fees?
13) How can I find an ALACE doula?
14) Does an ALACE childbirth educator teach only natural birth?
15) Why Attend a childbirth class taught by an ALACE certified educator?
16) Will insurance cover a childbirth prep class if it’s not taught in a hospital?
17) Do I need to have a partner if I go to an ALACE childbirth prep class?
18) How can I find an ALACE childbirth prep class?

Questions about Becoming a Doula or Childbirth Educator

1) How do I become an ALACE doula?
2) Do I have to attend any classes to become a doula?
3) Do ALACE doulas do vaginal exams?
4) How do I become an ALACE childbirth educator?
5) Do I have to attend any classes to become a childbirth educator?
6) Can men become doulas?
7) Can men become childbirth educators?
8) Do I need a medical background to become an ALACE birth professional?
9) Do I need a college degree to become an ALACE doula or childbirth educator?
10) Do I have to have given birth to become an ALACE doula or childbirth educator?
11) Do I need liability insurance to work as an ALACE doula or childbirth educator?
12) How do I find clients?
13) Is it true that ALACE makes you do vaginal exams during the doula training?
14) Can I be in both programs?
15) If I’m already trained by another doula organization, can I still take the ALACE training?
16) If I’m already trained by another doula organization, do I have to go to the workshop and fulfill all the regular certification requirements?
17) If I’m already trained by another childbirth education organization, can I still take the ALACE training?
18) If I’m a childbirth educator already trained by another organization, do I have to fulfill all the regular certification requirements?
19) What can I do if I don’t see an ALACE doula training workshop near me?
20) What is a sponsor?
21) How can I sponsor a doula training workshop?
22) Why doesn’t ALACE have more workshops?
23) Do you offer trainings in any other languages?
24) Does ALACE hold doula training workshops in other countries?
25) Do doulas have to be certified?
26) Do childbirth educators have to be certified?
27) If I become a doula or childbirth educator and then I move to another state or country, do I have to take the training again in that state?
28) Can I bring my baby or child to the doula training workshop?
29) How long does it take to become a doula?
30) How long does it take to become certified?
31) When can I start charging money to attend births?
32) How long does it take to become a childbirth educator?
33) Do I have to be a member of ALACE to take the training?