The AQD has chosen not to maintain an official list of recognized schools or training programs. Our mission is to unite doulas in Quebec to advance and defend our shared practice, not to regulate it. We invite you to consult the definitions of the support we advocate.

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Although no formal training is legally required to practice, we have chosen to represent only doulas who have completed basic training in birth support. In our view, quality training should include:

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• A solid theoretical foundation in perinatal care;

• In-depth reflection on the doula's role;

• An understanding of the psychosocial needs of families during this transition;

• We also believe that trainers (experienced doulas) play a key role by sharing their experience and supporting new doulas as they begin their practice.

 

More specifically, regardless of the training program chosen, it must meet the following criteria:

• Offer basic certification in birth support (e.g., "Basic Doula Training"). More general titles could raise doubts about the content;

• Be conducted primarily live (minimum 70%), either in person or via videoconference, with opportunities for interaction. Training programs that are mainly pre-recorded are not recognized by the AQD (Quebec Association of Doulas);

• Be delivered by one or more instructors who are themselves doulas, to ensure a clear understanding of the doula's role.

 

Each doula chooses a training program that reflects her own style, just as each family chooses a doula who is a good fit for them. This diversity is central to our practice. To help you with your choice, we suggest selecting two or three schools and scheduling introductory calls. This will allow you to speak with the instructors, ask questions, and confirm whether their approach meets your expectations.

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When choosing a school, you are primarily choosing a mentor who will guide you throughout your journey. Here are some points to consider to help you make your choice:

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• What are my values?

• Why do I want to support families?

• What are my interests for my future practice?

 

We hope this information answers your questions. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to explore any aspects further.

 

We look forward to connecting with you.