What is Becoming a Birth Doula ?

  • Affordable

    Becoming a Birth Doula is an online, self-paced birth doula training that won't break the bank.

    Too often, people spend $1,000 or more on a doula training, only to find out that being a doula isn't what they were expecting. That's $1,000 down the drain when they could have learned the same thing in a much more budget-friendly way.

    I have a fresh new approach to doula training. It's online so you don't have to go further than your device to go to school. No travel expenses, no childcare, no time off from work.

    Whether you plan to be a ‘casual’ doula for family and friends, or a professional doula that makes a living as a doula, this is the most convenient, cost-effective place to start.

  • Comprehensive

    > Based on my 42-hour curriculum that I taught for 15 years as a DONA-approved doula trainer

    > Forty content-filled modules that you can work through at your own pace – video lessons, articles, worksheets, templates, and resources

    > Monthly live coaching calls — with replays if you can't attend live

    > A dedicated Facebook group to ask questions, get to know your fellow students, share resources, and encourage each other

    > All from the comfort of your own home, or when you’re out of town, or in the middle of the night… wherever, whenever it works for YOU!

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome!

    2. Orientation to the Course (2:37)

    3. The Classroom (2:29)

    4. How to Get Support

    5. Stay Informed

    1. Replay links

    1. What is a doula?

    2. Action Item: What does a doula do (and not do)?

    3. The Role of the Doula (10:23)

    4. Action Item: Comparing the Roles at a Birth

    5. The Doula-Doctor Relationship

    6. Benefits of a Doula and How You Can Spread the Word (12:53)

    7. Action Item: Your Doula Spiel

    1. A Historical View of Childbirth (22:39)

    2. Birth By the Numbers

    3. Action Item: Your Reflections

    4. Extra Credit: Who do you want to support?

    1. How systemic racism and systems of oppression affect birth outcomes (6:52)

    2. A Brief History of White Privilege, Racism and Oppression in America (4:26)

    3. Kim Anderson's Story (4:15)

    4. Understanding Privilege (5:08)

    5. Gender, Sexuality, and More

    6. Action Item: Your Beliefs, Privilege and Power

    7. Knowledge Check: Ask Yourself About Culture, Race & Privilege in Maternity Care

    1. Prenatal Care in Pregnancy (8:24)

    2. Prenatal Testing Guide

    3. Question Guide for Clients

    4. Medical Abbreviations Used in Perinatal Care

    5. Knowledge Check: Ask Yourself About Prenatal Care

About this course

  • $197.00
  • 145 lessons
  • 12 hours of video content

Pricing Options

Pay in full, or get started with only $69 for our 3-month payment plan.

Questions?

Check out the FAQ below, or ​email me.​​​

Send a question.

Who wants to be a doula?

Change lives. Become a doula.

I do!

FAQ

  • How long do I have to finish the course?

    As long as you want! This is a self-paced course.

  • How long will I have access?

    How does FOREVER sound? If in 10 years or so I decide to close up shop, you’ll be notified to download everything so you still have access for the rest of your life!

  • Are there payment plans?

    Yes, you can pay in full when you enroll, or pay in three monthly payments.

  • How do I access the modules?

    You'll sign in to your account and click on this course. Then, all the modules will be listed. You can go through them in order, or jump ahead to a module you are particularly interested in or need right away. (Though much of the information builds on itself, so I recommend you at least go through the first modules first.)

  • How much time does it take?

    Each module includes an estimated read or watch time. The curriculum is based on a 42-hour course that I used to teach in person, but now you get to take your time with it and you may enjoy it at a much more leisurely pace. If you can plan for 10 hours a week, you should complete all the modules and Action Items in 2 months.

  • Who is this course right for?

    Anyone who wants to be a birth doula, or who wants to learn some really cool stuff about birth. Whether you want to help friends and family members in labor, you aspire to be a professional doula, or you are on the path to becoming a labor & delivery nurse, midwife, or obstetrician, this course will provide an essential foundation for understanding the normal physiology of birth, the physical and emotional terrain of labor, how to provide exquisite support to a laboring person, and life-changing communication skills.

  • Does this training lead to certification?

    Yes and No. I do not offer certification. But this course is approved by the State of Washington to become a state-certified birth doula. In general, certification is not required to work as a doula, and it's an additional expense that many want to avoid. If you decide you want to get certified, you can pursue certification through Washington State or a doula certification organization. Some offer certification for experienced doulas; others require you to start from scratch. I will recommend a few certifying organizations for those who are interested in that path.

  • How do doulas find clients?

    The best place to find your first clients is through word of mouth. So tell EVERYone you know that you are starting a doula training. Even if none of your friends are having babies, your cousin or co-worker or neighbor or friend knows someone who is pregnant. Ask them to pass your name along (or better yet, get some cool business cards made to hand out). You can also use social media to spread the word that you are ready for births. Put flyers up announcing your new service, create a website, offer a free info session about doulas in your community. There are soooo many ways to get the word out, and we’ll cover them all in Becoming a Birth Doula .

  • Where do doulas get jobs?

    Most doulas are self-employed; they do various forms of marketing to find their own clients, and they run their own business. There are some organizations that contract with, or hire, doulas to serve their clients. And there are a very few hospitals that hire doulas on staff. You might also be interested in a doula agency that does all the marketing and finding clients for you (or starting an agency if you like that part of the job). Some hospitals also have volunteer doula programs that allow you to sign up for a ‘shift’ to provide labor support to whoever is in labor at that time. There are many options, and you’ll learn all about them in Becoming a Birth Doula .