Birth Doula Training & Certification

Make a difference, one family at a time!

When you become a birth doula, you help parents experience:

  • Reduction in fear & anxiety
  • Shorter length of labor
  • Lower rate of medical interventions in labor, including cesareans
  • More informed decision making
  • Better communication with medical care providers
  • Improved breastfeeding success
  • Enhanced mother-baby bonding & attachment
  • Greater satisfaction with the birth experience

Birth Doulas Help Prevent Birth Trauma

postpartum doula training

Our Birth Doula Training program is for you if ...

You want to become a professional birth doula & open your own practice

You want to provide effective support to a sister, daughter, friend . . .

You want to volunteer your services to help moms & families in your community

You intend to have a career in maternal-infant health & want to gain knowledge & experience in the field

Others naturally turn to you in their time of need (Hint: you are already a doula!)

You feel a calling to birth work & related support services for families

BECOME A BIRTH DOULA

Registration &
Frequently Asked Questions

See Registration Overview for details about payment plans, fees for two or more certifications, discounted training bundles, refund policy, and FAQs.

There are two components to your online Birth Doula Training:

Step #1
Self-Paced Study Modules
(65 hours)

Enjoy unlimited access to the study materials and complete the course in your own timeframe (no expiration date). Gain access within 24 hours of registering.

See details below.

Step #2
Complete the Birth Doula Certification Process

Our streamlined certification process involves additional reading and an exam and is included in the course fee (books are not included). Certification is for life (no ongoing requirements or fees).

See details below.

Step #1
Self-Paced Study Modules (65 hours)

The following four courses comprise your online self-paced training. Click on the + sign to see a list of topics covered in each module. There is no expiration date on your access to the study modules.

Doula Fundamentals (Estimated 25 hours)

Childbirth Education Basics (Estimated 16 hours)

Birth Doula Support Skills (Estimated 16 hours)

Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas (Estimated 8 hours)

Explore Our Online Platform with FREE SAMPLE Lessons

We love the platform that hosts our self-paced study modules and want you to experience first-hand just how user-friendly it is. Check out the free sample lesson below to see for yourself.

Nearly 3,500 doulas trained!

Dynamic, Expert Training

We employ a proven, dynamic blend of teaching methods that adult learners of all ages find effective and enjoyable.

Study modules include downloadable tools and guides, videos, quizzes, case studies, skill-building exercises, templates for creating your own materials for use with clients, abundant resources, and more.

STEP #2
BIRTH DOULA CERTIFICATION

birth doula certification

Our professional and accessible certification process can be completed shortly after training, has no expiration date, and is included in the cost of training (books not included). No ongoing fees to maintain certification! This is a big deal if you are comparing programs. Learn more about doula certification. See the Birth Doula Certification Requirements.

"Loved my experience! I enjoyed every second of my certification training. I am excited to be a birth doula! The training was flexible and can fit anyone’s schedule. I’m a full-time working mom of three with my fourth on the way."
—Ty Schurkamp, Hopkins, MI
 

“I took your birth doula training to help my daughter through labor. She did fantastic. We tried various positions and techniques and I appreciated everything you taught and suggested.”

Dana Borenitsch

"I wasn't sure how an online class would go, but I thought it was great! You made us feel like a community, even though we weren't physically together."

—Jessica Woodward

Special Bonus!

Complimentary Directory Listing

A listing in our high-visibility Birth Doula Directory is included in your course fee ($50 value, good for one year). Your year starts when you feel ready to call yourself a doula!

Registration Overview & FAQs

See Registration Overview for details about payment plans, fees for two or more certifications, discounted training bundles, refund policy, and FAQs.

become a doula

Not quite sure? Join our FREE webinar & get your questions answered.

In this webinar on the Top 5 Questions about Becoming a Doula we provide an overview of the role of birth and postpartum doulas, the certification process, your income potential as a doula, how to get started on your path, and more. This session offers an opportunity to spend an hour with the instructor and get your questions answered before making an investment.

Medicaid reimbursement for birth doulas?

Efforts to gain reimbursement for birth doula services to Medicaid-eligible families are underway in a growing number of states. While limited postpartum support may be covered in some states, there is no corresponding effort to provide government funding for end-of-life doula services to low-income families. More than half the states are at various points in the process, including:

  • States where legislation has been passed and doulas are actively being reimbursed
  • States where favorable legislation has been passed and is in the process of being implemented
  • States where related statewide action is underway such as a pilot program or a doula registry
  • States where action has been taken but there has been no progress
  • States where no action has been taken

Learn more about the status of Medicaid reimbursement efforts for birth doulas below.

Attention Birth Doulas in Michigan!

Lifespan Doulas' Birth Doula Training fulfills requirements to qualify doulas for reimbursement for their services to Medicaid eligible families in Michigan. Learn more at the website below.

Reimbursement Rates

$1500 for attending a birth

$100 each for up to 12 birth or postpartum visits

Total Potential Reimbursement per Client = $2700

Medicaid reimbursement for birth doula services

By the end of your doula training, you will have ...

hands-open

A deep appreciation for the doula model of care ~ the essence of support

creativity

A brain full of exciting ideas for your doula practice

learning

Access to the best available resources on pregnancy and birth

Close,Up,Of,Woman,Hands,Filling,Form,Crossing,Yes,Checkbox

Templates & tools for creating your own practice

What do our students have to say about their learning experience?

Postpartum Doula Training Reviews

"This entire process has been so thorough and informational. I have come out of it learning and understanding many things that I wish I had known way before! I will forever recommend your course."

—Michelle Walker, Rochester, MI

“Thank you so much–I can’t get enough! What an education and experience! Best $$ I ever spent.”

Kat Oshman

“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the birth doula training I took with you. I used so much of what I learned in the birth and breastfeeding of my daughter. I felt prepared for labor and more empowered to make the choices I did. Your training also helped me to be even more loving and supportive of the women I get to care for as a chiropractor. I still use resources and skills that I gathered from your class on a regular basis.”

Sarah Prater-Manor

“I absolutely loved this experience. Worth my money and time investment. I am so thankful I undertook this venture. I feel inspired and filled with recognition of my soul’s purpose.” 

Jess Juntunen, Hancock, MI

“Patty was such an inspiring woman to learn from as I begin this new part of my life! Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for serving mothers and their babies (and partners!) will stay with me forever.”

—Kate Louik, Ann Arbor, MI

“As a young woman who has never experienced pregnancy or birth, the subject was a bit overwhelming at times. But your teaching style made the material so approachable, understandable and fun.”

—Mary Colleen Casey, Ypsilanti, MI

"It is awesome that you are able to create an environment of camaraderie via Zoom! I have been invited to two Facebook groups based on your classes. The groups like to stay together even after class and that is so cool and such a superpower!"

—Lanay Gilbert

What makes us different? Why train with Lifespan Doulas?

Top value at an affordable price! We understand you are searching for the best fit. Here is what we believe to be unique about our program and what we think sets us apart.

Doula Business Development

Your instructor, Patty Brennan, is the author of the top-selling Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula and is an expert at helping folks embrace the creative process of launching a doula practice. Guidance for starting your own doula practice is included in this program.

Instructor Expertise

Patty Brennan has been supporting families in transition for the past 40+ years as a doula, midwife, childbirth educator, and nonprofit founder/executive director of two community-based doula programs. She has trained over 3,500 people to become doulas!