Congratulations on choosing to begin your career as a doula!
Because expectant mothers require support during and after birth, doulas will always be in demand. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services predicts that doula jobs will grow by 6.3% between 2014-2024.
Doula training varies from program to program and from state to state. Please select your state below to learn more about doula training opportunities and requirements so that you can start your journey today.
Click on your state below for postpartum doula training opportunities, requirements, and costs
For international birth doula training, please click on your country below
What Is a Doula and What Do They Do?
What is a doula?  A birth doula or labor doula is trained to provide practical advice and emotional support for the mother, baby, and other family members.  What does a doula do?  A doula’s job involves providing practical information to the mother on what to expect during pregnancy and labor, supporting the mother emotionally, and nurturing the bond between mother and newborn.  Learn about the duties and responsibilities of a doula,
Clinical studies have shown that a doula has numerous positive effects on both the mother and the newborn baby. These benefits include shorter delivery time, increased breastfeeding of the baby, fewer caesarean sections and complications during labor, less usage of medication, and a more positive emotional outlook for both the new mother and baby.
If you feel passionate about providing compassionate support to expectant mothers, then becoming a doula is the right choice for you!
How to Become a Doula
There are many paths to becoming a birth doula and it is different for everyone.  Many doulas-in-training choose to be mentored by an experienced doula, volunteer and attend childbirths, take doula training courses and workshops, and read doula training literature. To help you get started, learn more about how to become a doula.
There are no formal requirements, such as a college or university degree, to become a doula. However, there is a voluntary doula certification which is awarded to people who wish to further their training in a doula certification program, keep up to date with the latest techniques, and to network with experienced doulas.
Doula Certification
A doula certification is a beneficial qualification to have. Although having a certification is not required, it adds credibility to your training and lets people know that you have met the requirements of a doula certification program. Click here for more benefits of getting a doula certification.
Doula certification requirements vary from program to program, but most doula courses will train you in what to do during a live birth and how to support both the mother and newborn. Most certification programs require either a written exam in order to access what you’ve learned.  Learn about the different doula certification programs and their requirements.  The most recognized certifications are from DONA (Doulas of North America) and CAPPA (Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators), however, there are many other certification organizations.
Doula Salary
Many women are able to turn their doula business into their primary career because they are able to earn enough from providing their services to their clients.  According to the Bureau of Labor, the average salary of a doula is $30,000.  The doula salary is dependent on the amount of training and experience that she has, how many clients she serves, and whether she provides additional services.
Doulas serving large metropolitan areas such as New York City or Los Angeles are in high demand compared to their rural counterparts. Â The fees that a doula can charge can be hundreds of dollars higher in those areas. Â Additionally, providing postpartum doula services as well as birth doula services can increase your income.
Postpartum Doula Training
Doulas that provide support in the first few weeks after birth of the baby are called postpartum doulas. Postpartum doulas ease the mother into her new role as a new mom by giving her emotional support and education advice on newborn care.
It’s no surprise that new mothers can feel overwhelmed with her new baby; doulas trained in postpartum techniques can provide much needed assistance by educating her on infant breastfeeding techniques, preparing meals with the correct nutritional content, showing the new mother methods for bathing, feeding, and comforting the newborn.
Postpartum doula training is given as additional courses and workshops that focus on newborn care and maternal support.  It also involves attending and supporting new mothers and their newborns in order to gain hands-on experience.
Doula Training in NYC
New York City is fantastic city for doulas to train and work.  Many of the diverse cultures and people of NYC rely on doulas as a natural part of the labor and birthing process.  There are more doula training programs in NYC than in most other cities because of the demand from open-minded expectant mothers who need the support.  Additionally, NYC is a great place to get hired by upper-middle families who want day-to-day support that doctors and nurses cannot provide.  Click the link for doula training in New York.
Doula Training Online
Some training programs allow potential doulas to receive your doula training online.  This is convenient for those with a busy lifestyle because you can study at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. After finishing your studies, most online courses will need you to pass an exam in order for you to receive your doula certification.
Be sure to read the requirements carefully, as some online doula training programs are not completely 100% online and require you to attend workshops and classes in person.
