The earning potential for doulas has never been stronger.

According to the 2026 DoulaMatch Fee Survey, birth doula fees continue to rise across the United States, with average fees varying by state and experience level. In many markets, experienced doulas are charging $1,500–$3,000+ per birth, with some metropolitan areas averaging even higher. 

What makes becoming a doula such an attractive career is the return on your investment.

Unlike many professions that require years of education and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, doula training is a relatively modest investment. Many new doulas are able to earn back the cost of their training after just one or two clients, depending on their local market and pricing.

Consider this example:

• If your workshop and certification  is less than  $1,000 and you charge $400- 650  for your first births,  in two births you have covered your cost 
• Once you are certified Support 2 births per month at $1,800 each, and that’s over $43,000 per year in birth fees alone.
• Many doulas increase their income further by offering childbirth education, postpartum support, lactation support, placenta services, or mentoring other doulas.

Of course, your income depends on factors such as your location, experience, marketing, availability, and business skills. Like any small business, success requires professionalism and commitment. But unlike many career changes, becoming a doula offers the opportunity to begin earning relatively quickly while making a meaningful difference in the lives of families.

Where else can you invest in a professional workshop and have the potential to earn back your investment after just one or two clients?

For many people, becoming a doula isn’t just a career choice—it’s an investment in a profession that offers flexibility, purpose, and the opportunity to build a rewarding and sustainable business.

This workshop offers much more than meeting a certification requirement.

You’ll learn directly from Debra Pascali-Bonaro, an internationally respected doula educator with more than 35 years of experience supporting births, teaching around the world, and advocating for respectful maternity care.

Her teaching combines evidence-informed practice, practical birth support skills, storytelling, and global perspectives to help you become a confident, compassionate doula.

Absolutely.

Many participants have never attended a birth before beginning their doula journey.

We’ll guide you step-by-step through the foundations of birth support while also offering deeper insights that experienced birthworkers find inspiring and transformative.

Our workshop blends DONA International’s educational requirements with something you won’t find in most trainings—decades of real-world experience from one of the world’s leading birth educators.

You’ll explore:

• Evidence-informed maternity care
• The history of childbirth
• Global birth traditions
• Trauma-informed support
• Comfort and pleasure measures for labor
• Communication and advocacy
• Respectful maternity care
• Partner support
• Building confidence as a professional doula

This combination creates a richer learning experience that prepares you for the realities of supporting families.

Yes.

An important part of becoming an effective doula is understanding the research behind common maternity care practices.

We’ll explore current evidence, discuss how to evaluate information critically, and learn how doulas can help families make informed decisions while respecting each person’s values, preferences, and care team.

Absolutely.

You’ll build your own “Birth Support Treasure Chest” filled with practical techniques that help families throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.

These include movement, positioning, breathing, massage, relaxation, partner coaching, comfort measures, pleasure practices, communication skills, and trauma-informed approaches that can be adapted to every unique birth.

Yes—with an important distinction.

Doulas do not make decisions for clients or replace medical professionals.

Instead, you’ll learn how to support informed decision-making, encourage respectful communication, help families understand their options, and create an environment where every birthing person feels heard, respected, and supported.

This DONA International Birth Doula Workshop is designed for anyone who feels called to support families during one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your existing practice, this training will provide practical skills, evidence-informed education, and the confidence to support birth with compassion, presence, and respect.

This workshop is ideal for:

Aspiring Birth Doulas
If you’re wondering how to become a birth doula, this workshop is an inspiring place to begin. You’ll gain the foundational knowledge, hands-on comfort measures, communication skills, and professional guidance needed to begin your birthwork journey.

Experienced Doulas
Expand your skills, refresh your knowledge, and learn new approaches to trauma-informed care, advocacy, physiological birth, comfort and pleasure measures, and evidence-informed maternity care while earning continuing education.

Childbirth Educators, Nurses, Midwives, and Lactation Professionals
Strengthen your understanding of the emotional, physical, and practical support that doulas provide while enhancing your ability to care for families through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the early postpartum period.

Birthworkers Seeking a Global Perspective
Learn from Debra Pascali-Bonaro’s 35+ years of teaching around the world. Explore how birth is experienced across cultures, examine common maternity care practices through an evidence-informed lens, and discover ways to support every family’s unique values and choices.

Anyone Passionate About Improving Birth Experiences
If you believe every person deserves respectful, compassionate, and informed care during childbirth, you’ll find a welcoming community of learners committed to making a positive difference for mothers, babies, and families.

No matter where you are on your journey, you’ll leave with more than knowledge. You’ll gain practical tools, lifelong professional connections, and the confidence to become a calm, compassionate presence for families during one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.

Beyond fulfilling your DONA workshop requirement, you’ll leave with practical skills, greater confidence, lifelong professional connections, and a deeper appreciation for the power of birth.

Most importantly, you’ll leave inspired to support families with compassion, curiosity, and evidence-informed care.