Doula Training Reading List

Doula literature is essential for the doula training process.  Whether, you’re an uncertified or certified doula or if you’re a birth or postpartum doula, almost all doulas incorporate reading material as part of their learning process.  Books contain helpful illustrations and charts to serve as a quick reference guide even after you’ve completed your training.  Take a look at the reviews and decide whether the topics contained within each book is something you are interested in learning about.  The reviews will also indicate which books are required readings by doula certification programs and organizations.

Doula Training Books

The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin

This book presents facts and overviews about pregnancy, birth, and medication in an unbiased manner.  It contains balanced educational information for both natural home birth and birthing at hospitals.  There are many pictures and tables; excellent for serving as a reference guide for labor positions.  The educational information is not only for doulas, but also for husbands, co-partners, and midwives.  This book is required reading by DONA International and Birth Arts International.  To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.

Pregnancy Books

Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley, Kepler 

This book uses the holistic approach to childbirth.  It includes reading material on utilizing exercise and diet tips.  It also has a section on birth plans and situations in which you may want to use pain management.  Detailed educational material such as the different stages of labor is also in the book. This is part of the required reading list by DONA International, CAPPA, and Birth Arts International for your certification. To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.

Labor Support Books

The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin, Ruth Ancheta

This book focuses on safe, effective, and low cost methods of maintaining and enhancing labor progress.  It offers an in-depth discussion on low tech ways of handling labor management such as manual techniques.  This comprehensive text will guide you on the steps to take before having to resort to higher risk medical interventions such as cesarean sections.  This is required reading by CAPPA and Birth Arts International.  To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.

Breastfeeding Books

Breastfeeding Made Simple: 7 Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett 

This book is a great guide for new mothers and doulas to learn effective breastfeeding techniques. It will demonstrate comfortable breastfeeding positions, how to establish milk production, and how to transition to more solid foods.  Reading this book will educate the reader on challenging breastfeeding situations such as low production of milk and weaning difficulties.  This book is on the required reading list of DONA International and CAPPA.  To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.

Postpartum Doula Books

Nurturing the Family: The Guide for Postpartum Doulas by Jacqueline Kelleher

This book is an excellent instruction guide to how postpartum doulas can support the mother, newborn, and her family.  It clearly articulates on the role of a postpartum doula and how she fits in with the new family.  Both DONA International and CAPPA require this book as part of their certification.  To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.

Doula Business Books

The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful Mother Baby Business by Patty Brennan

This book will go over how to make your startup doula business a success. It will cover how to set up and grow a small business as well as tax concerns.  Reading this book will show you different non-profit, hospital-based, and community-based doula models which you can take advantage of.  Finally, interactions with clients will be discussed as well.  This book is part of the required reading list of DONA International.  To see what other topics this book covers and for more reviews on Amazon, click here.