How to Become a Birth Doula
How to Become a Birth Doula: A Passion-Filled Path to Supporting Mothers
If you feel a deep calling to support birthing mothers and their families, becoming a birth doula might be the perfect path for you. Let’s explore this heart-centered work and see if it’s what you expected.
What is a Birth Doula – What Does She Really Do?
This is probably the most commonly asked question by the general public, medical care providers and people like you – aspiring doulas. Birth doulas that are properly trained are experts in the processes of labor, birth and the immediate postpartum. They are not medical care providers but instead provide non-clinical support services to birthing families. Birth Doulas do not give medical advice or conduct any medical procedures or diagnosis.
The skillsets of a trained birth doula include things like understanding the anatomy and physiology of the pregnant woman and of the labor and birth process. This allows the doula to offer physical support by encouraging position changes during labor and birth that enhance the mom’s efforts, and which could help optimize the progression of labor, as well as providing physical comfort techniques to help her relax and cope with contractions better. This type of support can greatly impact the birth experience for her, and this is where trained doulas excel.
A birth doula should have access to evidence-based resources for the birthing family should they request additional information to make informed decisions about their care. Providing emotional support to the family during their journey into parenthood is also a key component in doula care. Helping parents feel calm and comfortable with the birth process and the choices they have made for care will benefit them through their birth experience.
If you’ve been searching for a heart-centered, fulfilling job that blends service and compassion with a very interesting career, then read on and hopefully this blog will give you a good idea of what being a birth doula is really about.
Why Become a Birth Doula?
Many aspiring doulas are drawn to this work because they have a deep passion for childbirth, advocacy, and supporting families. As a certified birth doula, you can:
Empower parents with knowledge and confidence during pregnancy and birth.
Offer continuous labor support to improve birth outcomes.
Build a fulfilling career as a birth worker while making a meaningful impact.
Join a growing industry where demand for birth doulas is increasing.
Getting Started as a Birth Doula
Becoming a birth doula involves education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to supporting families through childbirth. Here are the key steps:
Take a doula training/certification course – Find a reputable birth doula training program that aligns with your values and learning style.
Birth Boot Camp – my top pick!
DONA International
CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association)
ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association)
BEST Doula Training
ProDoula
Gain hands-on experience – Many training programs require you to attend births before becoming certified, even if you are just an extra pair of hands to help at a friend’s birth – that can be a great start.
Complete the requirements for birth doula certification – While optional, certification is highly recommended and can boost your credibility with potential clients and opportunities. This could take a few weeks to several months depending on the program and your commitment level. Most courses have an online or self-paced component and then a hands-on training. Birth Boot Camp offers a 3 day in person workshop after you complete all your reading and online learning modules. Prices for certification programs vary from $500 - $3000.
Start your doula business – Most doulas work as independent contractors, whether working solo, with a doula partner, or with a doula agency, setting up your business is an essential step to becoming a professional birth doula. This often surprises aspiring birth doulas – they didn’t realize they would be starting a business on top of starting a new career. Truth is, it is rare to find a place that employs doulas, so don’t expect your local OB or hospital to give you a job. Some areas have community doula programs so you can certainly check around in your area for that. Otherwise, you will have to market yourself to get clients and sometimes having a mentor can help in that area or aligning with a doula agency can be a faster way to get started.
It is essential to develop a business plan. Consider:
• Creating a website and social media presence
• Networking with local midwives, perinatal professionals, and childbirth educators
• Setting up contracts, pricing, and service packages
• Marketing yourself in birth and parenting communities
Is Becoming a Doula Right for You?
Being a birth doula is a calling. It requires dedication, patience, and emotional resilience. The hours can be unpredictable, and the work is both physically and mentally demanding. However, if you feel drawn to supporting families in this incredible way, becoming a doula can be one of the most rewarding paths you’ll ever take.
Are you ready to start your doula journey? I’d love to hear what excites you most about this path—drop a comment below!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Becoming a birth doula is more than just a profession—it’s a calling. If you’re ready to start your journey, I offer Birth Doula certification trainings for Birth Boot Camp. My workshops are held in the beautiful sunshine state of Florida! Visit BirthBootCamp.com to see the dates and locations of all their trainings – and come to sunny Florida to train if you like!
I’ve created a FREE guide, 'From Passion to Profession – A Guide for New Birth Doulas,' to help you take the next steps with confidence.
Download here > https://thedoulasmentor.com/new-doula
Download it now and begin your journey toward becoming a birth doula today!
Want to discuss your goals further, I offer a 30-minute Clarity Call which can be booked online. Ask me anything and let’s discuss your goals and ideas for your birth doula business. You can book that here: https://thedoulasmentor.com/mentoring
About the Author
Janet Farmer is a seasoned birth professional with over 30 years of experience as a Certified Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Doula Trainer. As the founder of The Doulas’ Mentor, she is passionate about training and guiding new and aspiring Birth Doulas in building thriving, sustainable businesses while making a meaningful impact in the birth world. When she's not mentoring Doulas, Janet enjoys slow mornings with coffee on the porch, spending time with her hubby, adult children and 11 grandchildren, and beach time.
Website: https://thedoulasmentor.com
IG & FB @thedoulasmentor
