The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice

​The Doulas Association of Southern California (DASC) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting birth and postpartum doulas in Southern California. With over 200 members—including doulas, midwives, chiropractors, and birth-friendly OB/GYNs—DASC serves as a hub for education, networking, and advocacy within the birth community. The association aims to enhance the quality of care for families by fostering collaboration among birth professionals and promoting evidence-based practices. DASC also hosts events, such as the Annual Awards Banquet, to celebrate and honor the contributions of its members and the broader birth community. ​

Doulado.co is a specialized practice management platform designed specifically for doulas and birth professionals. It offers an all-in-one solution that includes secure client portals, HIPAA-compliant documentation, invoicing, e-signatures, and collaborative tools for team-based care. The platform enables doulas to efficiently manage client notes, contracts, payments, and communications, streamlining administrative tasks to reduce burnout and enhance client trust. Doulado also supports team management features, making it suitable for solo practitioners and doula agencies alike. With a focus on simplicity and user-centered design, Doulado aims to empower doulas to focus more on client care and less on administrative work.

​Doula Design Co. is a creative studio founded by Julia, a postpartum doula turned website and brand designer, dedicated to helping birth professionals establish their online presence. The company offers a range of services tailored specifically for doulas, birth photographers, and lactation consultants. These services include customizable website templates, custom design packages, and a specialized course titled “Designing Your Doula Business,” which provides step-by-step guidance on building a successful doula business. ​​Doula Design Co. is a creative studio founded by Julia, a postpartum doula turned website and brand designer, dedicated to helping birth professionals establish their online presence. The company offers a range of services tailored specifically for doulas, birth photographers, and lactation consultants. These services include customizable website templates, custom design packages, and a specialized course titled “Designing Your Doula Business,” which provides step-by-step guidance on building a successful doula business. ​

​DoulaCenters.com is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to supporting expectant mothers and families by providing information about the role of doulas during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Founded by Jana, a certified postpartum doula, the platform aims to empower individuals with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their birthing experiences.​

​The National Doula Certification Board (NDCB) is the first U.S.-based certifying organization for doulas to achieve accreditation by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under ISO/IEC 17024 standards. Established to set national standards for the doula profession, the NDCB offers the Certified Professional Doula (CPD) credential to individuals who meet its rigorous certification requirements. These standards include completing approved training, gaining clinical experience, and passing a comprehensive online exam. Certified doulas are expected to adhere to the NDCB’s Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice, with mechanisms in place for accountability and recertification every three years. ​

Doula UK is a nonprofit Community Interest Company established in 2001 to promote life-changing support from skilled doulas for families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. With over 700 members across the UK, Doula UK offers a directory of doulas who have completed approved training, undergone mentoring, and adhere to a strict Code of Conduct. The organization also operates the Doula Access Fund, providing free doula support to individuals facing financial hardship, ensuring that everyone has access to a positive and supported birth experience. Additionally, Doula UK offers resources such as podcasts, articles, and events to educate and support families and professionals in the birthing community. ​

The DONA International Summit 2025 is a premier professional development event for birth and postpartum doulas, scheduled for October 23–26, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, at the Hilton Motif Seattle. This summit marks a return to the city where DONA International was founded in 1992, emphasizing the theme “Community Roots; Endless Heights”. The event will feature keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, and networking opportunities, offering over 20 continuing education contact hours for recertification with DONA International and other organizations that accept DONA contact hours.​

​The Dolphin Method is a comprehensive childbirth education and professional training program developed by Jennifer More, a Registered Yoga Alliance Vinyasa and Prenatal Yoga instructor (E-RYT500 & RPYT), Certified Master Clinical and Medical Hypnotherapist, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Reiki master, and mother. With over 25 years of experience and more than 10,000 hours spent with laboring women, Jennifer pioneered the Dolphin Method, which integrates hypnosis techniques for gentle birthing and anxiety reduction during labor. She has trained yoga instructors in various countries and has provided doula support in over 450 births.​

​DNT Network is an online platform offering affordable, self-paced certification courses for birth doulas, postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists (NCS), and end-of-life doulas. Founded with the mission to make doula training accessible, DNT Network provides comprehensive courses that include interactive lessons, videos, and quizzes. The certification process is straightforward, with no hidden fees, and the certification remains valid indefinitely, as renewal is not required. The platform is designed to accommodate learners’ schedules, allowing them to complete the training at their own pace.

DMV Birth Doulas LLC is a Black-owned doula agency based in Howard County, Maryland, serving the broader DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. Founded by Nikita Johnson, a certified doula with over 350 births attended since 2014, the practice offers comprehensive support across fertility, childbirth, and postpartum care. Their services include assistance with IUI, IVF, surrogacy, home births, hospital births, VBACs, high-risk pregnancies, and postpartum recovery. The team comprises experienced doulas and midwifery students, collectively bringing over 20 years of expertise to families seeking culturally congruent and evidence-based care. ​