Birth Doula
A birth doula should be a professionally trained support person who helps the mother during pregnancy and at the time of childbirth. The birth doula’s role is to offer hands on support, guidance, and assistance, providing the mother practical measures of comfort, in essence it is as if the doula is mothering the mother. A birth doula, by her experience and training recognizes the impact of childbirth on the mother. The birth doula’s role is not to provide medical support, but to provide practice physical support for the laboring and birthing mother.

Postpartum Doula
Just as the word suggest, a professional postpartum doula provides the mother and the family with evidence-based support, assistance, and guidance during the postpartum period. This service typically begins within the days, and possibly up to a year after the birth of the child.

Bereavement Doula
A bereavement doula provides the mother and family with practical and emotional support when there is no live birth or birth comes with a difficult or fatal diagnosis. The stillbirth doula is professionally trained to support the mother through the process of birthing a stillborn child and to provide comfort measures for bereavement.

Length of Training
Most doula programs can take as little as 6-weeks up to 12-months to completed. Most students will completed training in 6 to 12 weeks. Typically, it all depends on how much time scheduled for training and homework assignments that determines how long it will take to complete the course.

What is the Cost to Become a Certified Doula?
Cost for doula certification programs can very, but essentially you can expect to pay as little as $350 to $500 for a single modality doula program. If you are looking to expand your knowledge by becoming certified as a labor and birth doula and a postpartum doula your rate for the curriculum will cost more. However, some schools offer discounts if you are looking to acquire more than one certification.

DOULA TRAINING

CAPPA
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) was founded in 1998 and is an “international certification organization for doulas, childbirth educators and lactation educators”. CAPPA training works with the expectant mother during the perinatal year, providing education and support, and partners with many organizations, engaging perinatal professionals.
DONA International
DONA International remains the leader is education and training for doulas. DONA International, formerly Doulas of North America was founded in 1992, Penny Simkin being the first president. DONA International provides both certified birth doula and postpartum doula education and recertification training.
ICEA
The international Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) offers professional in-person birth doula and labor Support workshops or online workshop training at an additional fee. ICEA was formed in 1960 and is centered around a commitment to “family-centered maternity care”.
International Doula Institute
The International Doula Institute was founded by Aliza Bancoff and created by knowledgeable professionally trained doulas and other maternal care professionals. It is an online training program with an at-your-own pace curriculum.

There are a few nationally recognized training entities. First, lets begin with the types of doulas, how long does doula training take, what is the cost, then we will cover where you can get training.  

To become a doula, it is important that you receive the appropriate training and certification.  

Doula Training and Certification