Would YOU like to be a Birth Doula?
Do you find yourself drawn to all things birth? Are you interested in supporting individuals and families in the childbearing year? Are you a great listener with empathy? Perhaps you've thought about becoming a birth doula?
A birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and shortly after childbirth, with the goal of helping achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
All this because it matters! The birth experience has a significant impact on the health of mothers and babies, which can be experienced both positively and negatively (Elmir et al., 2010). It is vital that the emotional health of birthing people be supported during and after childbirth in addition to physical care, so that birth memories are positive and evoke positive emotions. The care that doulas provide can do just that- enhance the experience of birth and the creation of lasting birth memories!
Why DONA International?
DONA International offers the highest of international doula certification standards, ensuring expectant parents and their birth care providers that their doulas adhere to the highest standards of conduct and ethics. It means their doulas are trained to support a birthing person emotionally, as well as to help them determine the services and information that they need during labor and childbirth. You can learn more at https://www.dona.org/
What will this workshop offer?
This DONA International Approved Birth Doula Workshop, consists of a 4- day workshop broken up into THREE important components:
1- Childbirth Education for Doulas
This element of the training, also required for certification with DONA International, is typically offered on day 1 of the workshop and will help you to gain an appreciation for the physiology of birth and the context within which you will be providing support as a birth doula.
2- DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop
This portion of the workshop introduces students to the basic body of knowledge and skills of a birth doula. This is an important step towards obtaining birth doula certification with DONA International. With this course you will be able to confidently provide support to families; before, during, and just after childbirth.
3- Breastfeeding Workshop
Doulas are a source of evidence-based information, support and appropriate referrals in their breastfeeding/ chest feeding journeys. With support and education that starts during the prenatal relationship, birth doulas can offer lactation support immediately after the birth that can lay the foundation for meeting their personal infant feeding goals. This portion of the workshop focuses on skill development to support attendees in this aspect of the birth doula role.
Candidates for Doulas of North America (DONA) certification who complete the birth doula workshop are eligible to begin attending births although DONA Certification is the recommended way to complete your education and qualifications as a birth doula. Please refer to the DONA International website for more information on the requirements of certification.
1- Childbirth Education for Doulas
This element of the training, also required for certification with DONA International, is typically offered on day 1 of the workshop and will help you to gain an appreciation for the physiology of birth and the context within which you will be providing support as a birth doula.
2- DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop
This portion of the workshop introduces students to the basic body of knowledge and skills of a birth doula. This is an important step towards obtaining birth doula certification with DONA International. With this course you will be able to confidently provide support to families; before, during, and just after childbirth.
3- Breastfeeding Workshop
Doulas are a source of evidence-based information, support and appropriate referrals in their breastfeeding/ chest feeding journeys. With support and education that starts during the prenatal relationship, birth doulas can offer lactation support immediately after the birth that can lay the foundation for meeting their personal infant feeding goals. This portion of the workshop focuses on skill development to support attendees in this aspect of the birth doula role.
Candidates for Doulas of North America (DONA) certification who complete the birth doula workshop are eligible to begin attending births although DONA Certification is the recommended way to complete your education and qualifications as a birth doula. Please refer to the DONA International website for more information on the requirements of certification.
Photo credit to Welcome Arms Photography
Upcoming Birth Doula Workshop dates
Upcoming DONA Approved Birth Doula workshops are as follows:
November 2025 (in person)
Each Doula Workshop includes:
-DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop (16 hours)
-Childbirth Education for Birth Doulas (7 hours)
-Lactation Education for Birth Doulas (3 hours)
All are components of the DONA International requirements for Birth Doula Certification, and will help you as you support families as a birth doula!
Contact Wanda Cox for more information, to register for one of these sessions or to plan for one in your community!
November 2025 (in person)
Each Doula Workshop includes:
-DONA Approved Birth Doula Workshop (16 hours)
-Childbirth Education for Birth Doulas (7 hours)
-Lactation Education for Birth Doulas (3 hours)
All are components of the DONA International requirements for Birth Doula Certification, and will help you as you support families as a birth doula!
Contact Wanda Cox for more information, to register for one of these sessions or to plan for one in your community!
What you need to know:
Prerequisites:
Participants are asked to read Simkin, P. and Rohs, K. (2018). The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions, 5th edition.
Participants are asked to read Simkin, P. and Rohs, K. (2018). The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions, 5th edition.