I want to be a doula! Now what?
Deciding to become a birth worker is an exciting milestone! But often the next question is “Now what?”
It can be hard to figure out what your next steps should be after deciding to pursue becoming a doula, because… surprise! There is no official pathway to this work!
One thing that many people do after deciding to become a doula is to start exploring their options for how to learn the information and skills they’ll need to support people during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Since there is no official way to get started, it’s easy to feel a bit lost at this point.
We’re here to help clear up some terms (like “training” vs. “certification”), as well as shed some light on possible next steps you can explore.
Let’s clear some things up about training and certifications for doulas:
In most areas of the US, doulas are not a regulated profession
Unlike teaching, nursing, etc. being a doula does not require any kind of official training or licensure.
Because of this, there is no standardized training/certification program
There is no official oversight body that approves certain training programs over others, or anything like that.
“Training” and “certification” are different things, but neither is formally required to practice as a doula
There are many doulas who purposefully choose not to hold a certification from any doula training organization, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have not participated in any training (whether formal or informal). But remember - since there are no official rules (in most places) for who can practice as a doula, neither training nor certification are required to be a doula. Potential clients may be interested in your training background, especially continuing education to stay current on recent developments in the field of perinatal health. But since we began practicing in 2014, only 1 prospective client ever asked us if we were certified during a consultation.
Even though certification is not required, many doulas choose to participate in a doula training
There are many companies/organizations that offer trainings for doulas, and often doulas find it helpful to have taken some kind of training to learn more about the skills that can help birth workers support their clients.
Since doula training programs don’t have to be approved in any way, they vary widely
Companies/organizations that offer doula training don’t have to have any kind of credential at all in order to offer a certification. In fact, you could create a certificate for yourself right now and it would be just as valid as any other certificate from any other training organization! Seriously! (Read our post on avoiding common pitfalls when choosing a doula training program.)
Self-study is a perfectly valid way to become a doula!
There is a lot of information out there that can help aspiring doulas learn about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and what it can mean to be a doula. If you choose not to participate in a formal doula training or certification program, that doesn’t mean you are “less qualified” in any way to do this work.
“Shadowing” experienced doulas is very rare
It makes sense that a new doula may want to accompany a seasoned doula as they provide perinatal support to clients. But this is extremely hard to find, and there are many reasons for that. Most doulas who provide support to newer birth workers do so outside of time with their actual clients, allowing for more open conversation and question-asking, as well as protecting the wish that many clients have to choose the members of their birth team to the extent possible. While some people may welcome an aspiring doula in their birth experience, that’s definitely not the norm.
Mentoring from a seasoned doula is another great way to move forward
Whether or not you’re pursuing formal training of any kind, many experienced doulas offer support for new birth workers. This also varies widely based on on the person providing mentoring! In our practice, we meet with our mentees virtually to discuss their questions and challenges, and provide perspective. We cover everything from setting up a business and creating contracts, to how to best support clients with certain high-risk conditions, to creating a practice that fits your lifestyle and goals, and so much more. Without formal “shadowing,” we can still help our mentees meet their goals of providing excellent support for their clients, while equipping them to really step into the role of a doula. Learning by doing - with support! - is a wonderful way to enter this work.
