New 100% Live Online Classes added for 2025!
So, you’re ready to become a birth doula?
You’re in the right place, and what an incredible place to be! Right now, more than ever, families need someonelike you- someone who can walk with them through one of the most transformative times of their lives. Whether it’s a hospital birth, a home birth, or something in between, your care can make all the difference.
Here’s the truth: being a doula isn’t just a profession. It’s a calling. The families you support will never forget you. You’ll be a part of their story, their strength, and their memories. And the best part? You bring something to this work that no one else can- yourself. Your campassion, your perspective, your heart.
Your journey begins with our DONA-Approved Birth Doula Training Workshop, designed to prepare you for this incredible role. When you choose our virtual workshops, you’ll be learning from the best, with the tools you need to feel confident and capable in supporting families.
In this training, we don’t just focus on how to doula- we explore why we doula and why this matters so deeply to you. From evidence-based benefits to hands-on techniques to starting your career, we’ll cover it all. Another benefit in choosing this workshop is the Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding Workshop components are included and are both necessary in attaining DONA certification.
This is where it starts: with a workshop, a community, and a calling. We’re here to help you answer it.
What would it feel like if you:
1. Could really follow your passion and help others at the same time.
2. Help families take control of their birth experience.
3. Feel confident you are giving the right information at the right time.
4. Know that your Doula certification grants you special rights and privileges.
5. Could connect and network with other Doulas in your area to learn more and build your career
6. Be present and welcome into the world new babies everywhere.
It really is possibe.
The first step to becoming a certified doula is to take our
DONA-approved Birth Doula training workshop.
How does it work?
So that aspiring doulas can get training no matter where they live, in the safety of their own homes, we are offering this live class 100% online via Zoom. All you need is a computer, phone or tablet, and a good internet connection.
Each day of the class, you’ll just click on the link provided in your confirmation email. This will prompt you to download the free Zoom software (the first time) or launch it if you already have it installed. The class will open and you’ll be able to see your instructor and fellow students, and communicate with them via chat and video. We’ll have plenty of time for questions and discussion.
In this workshop you will learn the skills necessary to provide professional labor support in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Our workshop will be 36 hours to provide you with the most comprehensive training available. During this workshop, you will meet other aspiring doulas with whom you can build a support network within this field.
…The ripple effect your training is having on this world is profound…
-Justine
Why am I a doula? Why do I train doulas?
I believe every family should be empowered and have support and advocacy before, during and after the birth of a child. Being informed in pregnancy about your options and evidence-based research and realities helps mothers and their partners prepare for a good birth experience.
We need more doulas. We especially need more doulas serving marginalized communities, such as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families. It is my greatest honor to help you become a doula to serve the families in your community.
About Your Instructor:
Chris Cleary, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), CCE, CBE
Chris Cleary is a DONA (Doulas of North America), certified doula and has trained with DONA co-founder Penny Simkin and Kathy McGrath to become a doula trainer. She is also a certified childbirth educator and certified Breastfeeding educator. She is currently offering four day workshops to train professional labor assistants throughout the country. With more than 30 years of experience as a Doula and as a childbirth education Chris has worked with thousands of families as they welcomed babies into thier family as an educator and has worked with somewhere between 1,300 and 1,500 familes as their Doula. Since we have begun offering virtual trainings, she has been thrilled to offer this valuavle training to people 15 different countries.
Chris’ goal as a trainer is to train doulas from all walks of life by helping DONA realize their vision: “a doula for every person who wants one.”
Your path to Certification
-Read The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin
-Attend our DONA approved birth doula workshop
-Become a member of DONA International ($100)(You will want to wait until after the workshop when you will receive a $30 coupon for attending and completing a workshop evaluation)
-Read three books from DONA’s reading list and two position papers.
-Complete a self assessment questionnaire.
-Compile a community resource and reference list.
-Attend and document three qualifying birth support experiences.
-Compile all documentation, pay the certification/application fee of $155 and celebrate! ****Visit DONA.org for complete certification information.****
Course Information & Schedule
In this workshop you will learn the skills necessary to provide professional labor support in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Our workshop will be 36 hours to provide you with the most comprehensive training available. During this workshop, you will meet other aspiring doulas with whom you can build a support network within this field. Space is limited. Early enrollment is encouraged. We hope you can join us for a wonderful training!
Day One: Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas
8:00am-6:00pm
This childbirth class is designed to take us through pre-labor, labor and birth with the role of a doula in mind. Regardless of your experience with birth, this class ensures that we are all starting with the same information about childbirth to begin your journey as a birth professional.
Topics covered: anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, common discomforts of pregnancy and helpful advice for dealing with them, phases and stages of labor, emotional changes during labor, medications, cesarean birth. All topics covered are in a childbirth class, but the emphasis is on supporting parents throughout.
Day One: Introduction to
Day Two: Labor Support
8:00am-6:00pm
We will begin with DONA Standards of Care and Code of Ethics. We will cover the dynamics of labor and birth, how to be a skilled companion during childbirth, comfort measures and scenarios to learn the practical and professional approach to dealing with different labors.
Topics covered: Labor support, prenatal contact, emotional support, comfort measures, the business aspects of a doula business and professionalism within a doula practice.
Day Three: A Deeper Look
8:00am-6:00pm
Covers in-depth labor support strategies, the role of the doula within the medical framework, information on pre and post natal clients, dealing with problem labors and unexpected outcomes, setting up a doula practice.
Topics covered: Cesarean birth, VBAC, epidurals, difficult labors, postpartum contact and postpartum contact.
Day Four: Breastfeeding/Chest Feeding Component
8:00am-6:00pm
This breastfeeding/chest feeding component embraces evidence based research, medical innovation and ancient female wisdom with a new twist. We will explore how to assist new mothers in establishing comfortable breastfeeding while learning and respecting baby’s inborn ability to successfully breastfeed. You will learn a simple and revolutionary way to help mothers who are having difficulty achieving a pain-free latch.
Topics covered: Anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding (how it works), three three’s of breastfeeding, feeding costs, positioning, troubleshooting, nutrition and assessing a good latch.
This class will fulfill the DONA requirement for Breastfeeding and will complete all of your in-person classroom requirements towards certification.
Are you ready?
Course investment: $650
What our students are saying:
“Chris was a wonderful instructor and very passionate about the Doula profession. I learned many updated facts! She was very clear with directions and teaching.”
“Chris, thanks again for everything!! I had a blast & you are an amazing instructor.” ~ L. Price
“When the team had questions, she broke it down even more! She even paid attention to our facial expressions to make sure.”
“Chris Cleary readily answered questions, went back to explain parts, spent extra time as needed at the end of the workshop and has checked in with the group since training ended.”
“Chris was incredibly helpful and was more than willing to answer questions and explain in more depth when requested.”
“Thank you very much for the classes, I’m looking forward for next week’s. I’m very grateful for the work you’re doing while we are all in the middle of this pandemic and how you’re so very detailed with the information and stories.” ~N. Sanchez
Have Questions?
Here are a few frequently asked questions. But if you have questions not answered here, please email me! DONA also has a FAQ.
Q: I can attend most of the class, but I have a commitment one afternoon. Can I make up that material?
A: It’s important that you be attending class at all times to get all the material; we do not waste any time. It won’t be possible for you to make up the material you missed, but we might be able to arrange for you to come to that section of a later class meeting. Email [email protected] to discuss your specific situation.
Q: Will I be certified as a doula after I complete this class?
A: You will have completed the first 3 steps toward certification. You will receive a certificate that reflects all three of the classes that are required for certification. We will go over the steps toward certification in detail during the training, but they are also listed here above. Here is an infograph for DONA.
Q: Can I take the class from my smartphone?
A: Yes, Zoom works great on smartphones. However, it might be hard to see and understand some of the content as well on a small screen like a phone. If you have a tablet or computer, it would probably be better, but a phone works well too!
Q: What should I do before the training?
A: Start reading The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin and attend our meet and greet.
Q: Where will I work?
A: Some doulas start their own business immediately following our training. Some work with primarily hospital births and others choose to focus on homebirths. Some start to work in hospitals that offer Doula programs immediately following the training and others work with a community doula group.
Q: How long does it usually take to become certified?
A: With DONA’s new streamlined certification process you would be able to accomplish certification in as little as a few months although DONA does allow you to have 3 years from the date of this workshop to complete the steps.
Q: Why should I choose DONA to certify with?
A: DONA is the oldest and most respected doula training organization in the world. We are internationally recongnized and valued.
Q: How long are the hours during the training workshops?
A: Our hours are from 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific standard time.
Q: What happens if the class is canceled?
A: If the class is canceled, you will receive a full refund or be given the opportunity to join a future workshop at your convenience.
Q: What happens if I cancel my attendance?
A: If you cancel your attendance, your tuition will be applied to a future training date within a year of the workshop you signed up for originally.
Q: Can I charge for the births I attend immediately after the training?
A: Absolutely
Q: Do you offer any discounts on your training?
A: Yes, I do. I offer a BIPOC and LGBTQIA discount as well as those affiliated with the military. These marginalized communities experience health disparities at alarming rates and Birth Matters wants to be part of the solution, come and join us.
Refund Policy:
Our trainings are NON REFUNDABLE, but if you are unable to attend we can transfer you to a future workshop under the following conditions: You must notify us within two weeks(14 days) of the workshop, and the transfer needs to be for a workshop within 1 year of the original date. This policy is to make sure to secure your spot in our workshop, as we could sell out of spots.
Special promotional offer
***LIMITED DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE***
We want to encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA and members of the military (active or dependent) who are interested in becoming doulas by offering several $50 and $100 scholarships to our online DONA-Approved Birth Doula Training! If you fall under any of those categories, please email [email protected] to get the discount code to use when checking out.
When the codes are gone, they’re gone–so act fast!