Doula*:
- TD: trained doula -- the doula has completed course work or attended a doula training. Organizations will vary and may or may not offer a certification program.
- CLD: Certified Labor Doula (organizations vary).
- TD(DONA): trained birth or postpartum doula through DONA International-- this means the doula has completed a 15+ hour training course taught by a certified DONA doula instructor but has not yet completed the 1-2 year certification requirements.
- CD(DONA): certified birthdoula through DONA International -- the doula has completed training and all certification requirements set by DONA and has been reviewed, interviewed, and certified by a DONA review board.
- PCD(DONA): certified postpartumdoula through DONA International -- the doulas has completed training and all certification requirements set by DONA and has been reviewed, interviewed and certified by a DONA review board.
* It is important to note that there are no state requirements / regulations for doulas and anyone is allowed to call themselves a 'doula.' It is very wise to investigate the methods of training your doula has completed as part of your interviewing process.
Childbirth Educator:
- LCCE: Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
- CCE: Certified Childbirth Educator (certification organizations will vary).
- CBE: Childbirth Educator (organizations will vary)
Lactation:
- CLE: Certified Lactation Educator
- LLC: Licensed Lactation Consultant
Midwifery:
- DEM: Direct-Entry Midwife -- an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, or a college- or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife is trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings.
- CPM: Certified Professional Midwife -- a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the midwifery model of care. The CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings.
- CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife -- are registered nurses who have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) (formerly the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Division of Accreditation (DOA)) and have passed a national certification examination to receive the professional designation of certified nurse-midwife. Nurse-midwives have been practicing in the U.S. since the 1920s.
- CM: Certified Midwives -- individuals who have or receive a background in a health related field other than nursing and graduate from a midwifery education program accredited by the ACNM DOA. Graduates of an ACNM accredited midwifery education program take the same national certification examination as CNMs but receive the professional designation of certified midwife.
Other Related Professions:
- CMT: Certified Massage Therapist
- RN: Registered Nurse
- MSW: Master of Social Work
