The Code of Ethics helps doulas to practice with integrity by clearly defining ethical responsibilities to the doula profession, clients, colleagues, and the community.  It requires doulas to maintain high standards of personal integrity and professional competence and practice.

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DOULA PROFESSION

  • DNFW reminds doulas that they are acting as a representative of the profession as a whole and to consider the impact of their actions on the local birth community.  

  • DNFW asks doulas  to help create and maintain a harmonious doula community.  Individual doulas can better serve their clients when the community is working with one another, rather than against.

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS

  • The doula is employed by their client, and a doula’s primary responsibility is to the client alone.

  • It is not a doula’s role to speak for their clients, rather it is important that doulas encourage self-determination so the client can make the best possible decisions for their family.

  • Clients deserve to have their privacy and confidence respected.  In such, the doula is responsible for treating information gained during services as private and confidential.

  • Doulas are obligated to serve the families that seek care from them, either by providing applicable services or by referring the family so they can obtain the appropriate services.

  • DNFW expects doulas to be reliable, and to provide the services outlined in their contract.  If for any reason the doula becomes unable to provide those services, the doula must arrange appropriate and adequate backup care.

  • DNFW expects doulas  to clearly and fully disclose their fees to the client, including how and when fees are due and any applicable refund policies.  Doulas are expected to set reasonable and fair fees which appropriately reflect the services they are providing.

  • It is in the best interest of the families they serve for individual doulas to remain up to date on the latest research and evidence-based care pertaining to birthing and postpartum families.

 

RESPONSIBILITY TO COLLEAGUES

  • DNFW expects doulas to treat their colleagues with respect and fairness.

  • DNFW expects doulas to treat the clients of their colleagues just as they would relate to their own clients.

  • DNFW expects doulas to be reliable when providing services, backup care, or assistance to other doulas.

     

RESPONSIBLILITY TO THE COMMUNITY

  • DNFW expects doulas to always accurately represent themselves to the community, including but not limited to accurately disclosing their experience, their training, and their comfort in serving specific client populations.

  • DNFW expects doulas to uplift and support the local birthing community, remembering that each family’s needs, comfort levels, and experiences are unique and of value.

  • DNFW expects doulas to maintain good standing within the community. DNFW recognizes that each doula comes from their own unique background with their own beliefs and values, and encourages each doula to be forthcoming in order to best serve their clients. DNFW will not tolerate discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, physical or mental ability, or any other protected status.

 

PERSONAL CONDUCT OF DOULAS

  • DNFW expects doulas  to seek out, participate in, and complete appropriate doula training and education.

  • DNFW expects doulas  to continue expanding their knowledge and training through a variety of avenues, such as in-person training, self-study, on-line training opportunities, and participation in DNFW enrichment meetings.

  • DNFW expects doulas to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully in all settings in which their conduct is reflective of the doula profession.

 

DOULAS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media (ie: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc) can be a wonderful platform to connect with clients and potential clients, however, it can also bring forth some complicated situations.  Doulas are asked to remember that client confidentiality is of paramount importance.  Doulas are encouraged to acquire specific written consent from families prior to posting any identifying, or potentially identifying, information on social media.  Doulas are reminded to consider the extremely close-knit nature of the local birthing community, as such seemingly innocuous information can have unintended consequences.  Doulas are also asked to consider their motivations for posting birth related information on social media, as well as to consider the possible ramifications.

Doulas are asked to maintain a respectful and professional presence on social media, should they choose to use it. Doulas are reminded that social media can be a useful tool in growing one’s business, but can be a source of strife that harms the doula profession if used carelessly. DNFW expects doulas that use social media to do so wisely, in uplifting and professional ways.