Doulas are non-traditional medical professionals who help women during childbirth. As of 2023, there is no exact count for the number of doulas in the United States. However, studies estimate that there are roughly 9,000 doulas in the country.
If you’re interested in becoming a doula yourself, your first step is going to need to be to get your doula certification. But, how do you do that, and what other steps do you need to take?
This guide breaks down what you need to know about becoming a doula, and how to become a doula and start a new career path in no time.
Things to Know Before Becoming a Doula
Before we dive into talking about how to become a doula, let’s take a second to go over a few things you should know before you take the plunge.
For one thing, it pays to be aware of salary information. Doulas typically make between $40,000 and $50,000 a year. However, the exact amount you’ll make can vary quite a bit depending on where you live and what kind of experience you have. There are even some doulas who make as much as $100,000 a year!
Besides money, you’ll also ned to know what skills you’ll need to have if you’re serious about becoming a doula. Doulas need:
- Great interpersonal skills
- Strong bedside manner
- Extensive knowledge of birth and childcare
- A passion for babies
- Multi-tasking abilities
- The ability to answer questions under stress
- Emotional support
- Empathy
With those skills, you’ll also need a formal certification which verifies your knowledge of pre and post natal care and childbirth.
Steps to Become a Doula
Now that you know what skills you’ll need and what the salary opportunities are like, let’s get into the meat and potatoes of how to become a doula.
Below are the steps you’ll need to take to launch this new career.
Step One: Start Your Doula Training
The first step to becoming a doula is to register for a training program. There are number of different organizations that you can register with, but a couple of popular ones are:
- The International Doula Institute
- DONA International
- International Childbirth Education Association
Remember, you’ll want to make sure you complete your training with an institute that’s recognized in your country, state, and locality. You may need to research local regulations and what will qualify as training before enrolling in a program.
Step Two: Get Certified
After you complete your training program, you’ll need to take a certification exam. As long as you pass, you’ll receive your official doula certificate in the mail. This is what sets you apart as a doula and allows you to start practicing your new trade!
Step Three: Find Clients
Now that you have your certification, it’s time to start finding clients. You can leave flyers and business cards at local birth and community centers, speak to hospitals about working in collaboration with them, or open your own birth center.
You can also use online and social media marketing techniques to help you connect with clients more easily. Many doulas have Instagram and TikTok pages which help them connect with and find new clients.
Step Four: Network
Even once you start finding your own clients, it pays to network with other doulas. Networking can help you learn more about your trade and can open up new business opportunities. Look for professional associations or local Facebook groups to help you connect with other doulas in your area.
Wrapping Up: Become a Doula Today
Remember, if you want to learn how to become a doula, your first step is to have a passion for babies. From there, you’ll need to get your certification and complete your training. With that out of the way, your main focus will be on finding clients.
Once you have your first clients under your belt, the key is to simply practice and market your business. With those steps, you’ll have no trouble starting a new career as a certified doula, whether it’s in the US or somewhere else!
