How do I become a doula?
Our most Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need a background in birth personally, or professionally to become a doula. There are no educational requirements (i.e. college degree). You do however, need to have an interest in birth and supporting MothersBabies + Families in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
You do not need to have any personal experience giving birth or with children to be a doula. I always say, “do you ask your OBGYN is they are a parent?”
We believe you can be an amazing doula whether you have had or will have children or not.
If you don’t have children, you have a time flexibility that others don’t have.
If you don’t have children but plan to, a doula training can also be an empowering journey to prepare one day for your own pregnancy and birth.
If you do have children this can be a wonderful career that can earn you money without full time hours.
Anyone who loves birth, pregnancy, and postpartum can be a doula!
A doula training is the first step to becoming a doula.
My training typically includes 2 of the requirements to become a doula – the Introduction to Childbirth Portion and the DONA Birth Doula Workshop.
After you take my Doula Training you will do some reading, some writing and begin attending births.
My doula trainings also include a session on Certification and a private Whatsapp to connect you with your new doula community so that you can ask questions a long the way.
You can find all the specifics of Certification here, but keep in mind that you’ll flow through the steps and don’t have to complete it all at once.
*Some workshops also include Breastfeeding for doulas, and some international workshops don’t include Intro. to Childbirth, please be sure to double check the specific workshop listing for more details.
It’s easy to get started, find a doula workshop or retreat that works for you.
Purchase and read the book, The Birth Partner and work through some of my suggested video links and reading materials (will be sent after registration).
Then, attend all of my workshop sessions and participate fully to get the most out of the training.
After, you’ll be able to begin attending births, will work through the reading list, and complete the certification requirements.
Before you know it, you’ll have your packet complete and ready to mail so that you can become a certified doula!
Questions? Pop on over to DONA’s Certification page to learn more about each requirement. Visit their FAQs and view their guide.
During our workshop together I will also go over and answer any questions you might have about Certification. You are not on your own on this journey!
Debra Pascali-Bonaro is a highly trained, experienced and sought-after DONA Birth and Postpartum Doula Trainer with over 30 years of experience training tens of thousands of Doulas, Doctors, Midwives, Nurses, Educators, Parents and Practitioners in the field of childbirth. She is also the Director of Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret and Author of “The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby”.
You can read more about Debra here.
Prior to our workshop together, please purchase and read, “The Birth Partner 5th Edition (2018)” by Penny Simkin.
It is available at many retailers, or you can purchase from Penny directly – https://www.pennysimkin.com/shop/the-birth-partner-5th-edition/
I will also provide you with a list of resources and videos to begin working through prior to the workshop. These will help you have a foundation prior to our training.
DONA International is the world’s first, largest and leading doula certifying organization. When our founders created DONA in 1992, they professionalized the role of the doula. Since then, we have certified more than 14,000 DONA International doulas in more than 50 countries!
For over 25 years, we’ve been setting the global standard for our profession as the first, largest and most respected doula organization in the world (read more about our history). In that time, we’ve certified 13,000 doulas worldwide! The top names in the doula field- past, present and future- are likely to have our credentials behind their name, along with current DONA members around the world.
Learn more about DONA https://www.dona.org/the-dona-advantage/about/
Are you ready to begin your career as a birth or postpartum Doula or expand your Doula knowledge and skills?
We have classes, workshops, retreats and membership geared to exactly where you are and what you need.