Becoming a Doula Can Be Life-changing and Here’s How to Choose the Right Training
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 4
- 7 min read
Anne Wallen is a respected figure in women’s health with over 30 years of experience and is a leading voice on global change in maternity care, particularly for those at greatest risk.
Have you ever felt a strong pull to support others during life’s most vulnerable and powerful moments? Do you feel joy in caring for others, especially during times of emotional and physical transition? If so, becoming a doula might not just be a fulfilling path, it might be your calling.
Let’s dive into the many benefits of becoming a doula, share real-life stories that show just how impactful doulas can be, and explain which organizations stand out as the top choices for doula training.
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Doulas are not medical professionals, but they are experts in offering compassionate, evidence-based care that complements the work of midwives, OB/GYNs, and nurses.
The benefits of becoming a doula
1. Making a real difference
Doulas don’t just “show up” at births, they change outcomes. Numerous studies have shown that the preparation and education doulas provide their clients, as well as the presence of a doula at the birth itself and afterward, can lead to:
Shorter labor times, safer, easier, more comfortable labors
Reduced use of epidurals and other physiologically interruptive interventions
Lower C-section rates as well as other unintended outcomes
Higher breastfeeding success, which equates with healthier children
Reduced postpartum depression and stable emotional connections
Even reduced maternal and infant mortality – particularly for with those populations at greatest risk.
Doulas play a powerful role in helping clients prepare for birth by educating them on the risks and benefits of common procedures like inductions, epidurals, and cesareans. This knowledge allows clients to make informed decisions rather than being swept along by routine hospital protocols. Doulas also support clients in understanding how nutrition, hydration, and regular movement can improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce complications. They teach clients how to advocate for themselves, ask the right questions, and recognize warning signs that something might be wrong. In a system where many people, especially marginalized individuals, aren’t always heard, this preparation can literally be life-saving.
Clients go into labor informed, confident, and connected to their bodies. Doulas don’t replace medical care, but they fill in critical gaps, making sure people feel seen, supported, and empowered to protect their own well-being and that of their baby.
Real-life example:
Sarah, a certified doula, was supporting a client who began to express symptoms that pointed to potential preeclampsia, one of the top maternal mortality factors. She was experiencing blurred vision and dizziness, in addition to new water retention and a headache. Sarah helped the client get to the hospital quickly and was able to assist her in explaining these concerning symptoms as she began to feel faint. The care team immediately went to work to bring her dangerously rising blood pressure down. The doctor later said, “If it weren’t for your attentiveness and ability to recognize risk factors, this could’ve ended very differently.”
Doulas literally save lives.
2. Emotional fulfillment
There are few careers where your presence can bring such calm, confidence, and empowerment to someone’s life. You’re not just a support person, you’re often the difference between fear and joy for many families.
It’s raw and beautiful, holding space while someone brings life into the world. You cry, laugh, breathe with them, and walk away changed. It’s wild, messy magic that cracks your heart open every time.
3. Flexible career path
Being a doula offers incredible flexibility. You can choose how many clients you take on, what services you offer – birth, postpartum, or both, and whether you work independently or with an agency. Schedules vary, so you can shape your work around family, school, or another job. Many doulas work part-time, while others build it into a full-time business. You can work in person, offer virtual support, or teach classes. Plus, you decide your rates, hours, and availability. It’s a career you can grow at your own pace, making it ideal for people seeking meaningful work with freedom and balance.
As a doula, you can:
Work independently
Choose your own schedule
Take on as many or as few clients as you like
Serve your local community or even travel
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a nurse looking to pivot, or someone exploring a new career in birth work, doula work can fit into your life.
4. Empowering families
Your role as a doula leaves a lasting imprint on a family’s life. Doula work empowers families by providing education, emotional support, and practical tools that help them feel confident and prepared. When parents understand their options and feel supported, they’re more likely to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions.
A doula doesn’t just help moms, they help partners, too. They educate, uplift, and guide families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Doulas also help strengthen the partnership between parents by encouraging communication, teamwork, and mutual support during these stages. They guide partners in how to be present and helpful, turning what could be a stressful experience into a bonding one. This shared journey builds trust and connection, laying a strong foundation for co-parenting. Families feel more in control, less isolated, and better equipped to handle the challenges of early parenthood.
With a doula’s support, birth becomes not just a medical event but a deeply personal and empowering experience that brings parents closer together and helps them step into their roles with strength and unity.
5. Community & connection
You become part of a tribe of birth professionals who believe in advocacy, empowerment, and nurturing care. It’s a role built on connection, not competition.
Becoming a doula naturally builds community and deepens connection. You’re constantly meeting new families, care providers, and fellow doulas, forming bonds rooted in trust, vulnerability, and shared purpose. Supporting someone through birth or postpartum is deeply intimate, creating lasting relationships and a sense of belonging. Many doulas find themselves part of a strong, supportive network that extends beyond clients to include local birth workers, educators, and advocates.
This connection combats isolation and provides a sense of meaning and contribution. For the doula, it’s not just a job, it’s being woven into the fabric of people’s lives during transformative moments. That sense of purpose, combined with authentic human connection, can be incredibly fulfilling. It reminds you that you’re not alone, that your work matters, and that you’re part of something bigger – a community committed to care, empowerment, and support.
How to identify the best doula training available
When you decide to become a doula, the training you choose will shape your journey. You need an organization that is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive, evidence-based, and supportive programs out there.
Here’s what sets apart the best
Holistic & inclusive curriculum: Whether you’re brand new to birth work or already experienced, make sure the program you’re looking for offers birth and postpartum doula certification programs that are deep, modern, and inclusive of all family dynamics.
Flexible learning options: With both in-person workshops and self-paced online modules, you can learn at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.
Expert mentorship: Training with the right organization means you’re not left to figure it out alone. You get real mentorship, not just modules. Look for trainers that are seasoned doulas and birth professionals who will guide you through certification and into practice.
Business training included: The right program won’t just train you to support births – they should also train you to run a thriving doula business. This is where many programs fall short, but look for the organization that sets you up for long-term success.
Lifetime professional membership community access: Graduates of this kind of program should be able to join a vibrant network of doulas around the world, gaining ongoing access to professional support, continuing education, and community.
Flexible payment options: Making an investment in your future can be daunting, but with interest free payment plans, discounts on combo programs and the ability to break down fees into smaller chunks can be determining factors for many people.
When doing the research, you will probably find that many organizations offer some of those checkpoints, but the only one that truly ticked all the boxes for us was MaternityWise. I admit I’m a little biased, but this organization was created BY doulas, FOR doulas – and it shows. Over 3 decades of education and support are the foundation to everything they do.
Real testimonial:
“I thought I was just signing up to learn how to support births. What I got was a transformation. MaternityWise gave me the confidence, knowledge, and business skills to turn my passion into a career. I’ve now attended over 50 births, and every one of them changed me.”
— Janelle R., Certified MaternityWise Doula
Doulas save lives and bring peace
Another powerful story comes from Maria, a postpartum doula trained through MaternityWise. She noticed a new mom was showing worsening signs of postpartum depression that others had brushed off as “baby blues.” Maria gently encouraged her to talk to her midwife, and it turned out the mother was experiencing severe postpartum anxiety and was slipping into psychosis. She was experiencing long term effects from a traumatic birth and began to have difficulty recognizing reality from her dread and paranoia. This condition that can be life-threatening if untreated. Thanks to Maria’s compassion and training, the mother got the help she needed, just in time.
This is the impact of a doula.
Is it time to answer the call?
If you’ve been searching for meaningful work…
If you’re passionate about advocacy, empowerment, and compassion…
If you want to be the calm in the storm, the guide through a sacred journey…
Becoming a doula might be your path
And if you’re ready to take that first step, MaternityWise is ready to walk beside you.
Ready to begin?
Visit here to learn more about upcoming workshops, online training options, and how to become certified.
Birth is powerful. So are you.
Let’s change lives – one birth at a time.
Anne Wallen, Director and Founder of MaternityWise Intl
Anne Wallen is a respected figure in women’s health with over 30 years of experience and is a leading voice on global change in maternity care, particularly for those at greatest risk. She continues to educate and empower birth professionals in more than 20 countries, contribute to a variety of curriculums, and shape the future of maternal health through her impactful role as a speaker and mentor. Anne is the Director and co-founder of MaternityWise International, and her legacy lies in inspiring generational changes around and elevating women's healthcare worldwide.
