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Birth doula training programs in America

1/1/2018

9 Comments

 
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updated 2025 April 28th

If you know of any more for USA residents, please comment below. I will look into them and add them to the blog.


This list is in alphabetical order. I'm not endorsing any particular program here. I recommend you find a program that aligns with your faith and values.
 


Birth doula training programs


A Woman Who Serves
www.awomanwhoserves.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: self-paced online study followed by virtual training at scheduled dates 
Note: This is a Christian-based program.
 
 
BEST Doula Training
www.bestdoulatraining.com  
Certification: BEST certified doula
Length of certification: 2 years
Location: workshop locations throughout the country, in-person or virtual
 
 
Birth Advocacy Doula Trainings

https://www.badoulatrainings.org/full-spectrum-doula-training
Certification: yes
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: a 12-week online program


Birth Arts International
www.birtharts.com
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: does not expire  
Location: online, self-paced
 
 
Birth Beautifully
www.birthbeautifully.com
Certification: yes
Length of Certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online
 
 
Birth Becomes You
www.birthbecomesyou.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: This is an online course with set start dates (cohorts)



Birth Boot Camp Doulas
http://birthbootcampdoulas.com/
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: The certification has to be renewed every year.  
Location: workshop locations in several states or online training
 
 
Birth With Spirit
www.birthwithspirit.com
Certification: certified Birth With Spirit doula
Length of certification: Lifetime with CEUs every 5 years
Location: online, self-paced
 
 
BirthWorks
www.birthworks.org
Certification: yes
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: self-paced online with training workshops that are virtual or in-person
 
 
Birthing From Within
www.birthingfromwithin.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification:  not clear on their website at this time
Location: online, self-paced
 
 
CAPPA
www.cappa.net
Certification: certified labor doula
Length of certification: Must recertify every 3 years
Location: Choose between online or in person workshops in a variety of places


Carriage House Birth
www.carriagehousebirth.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: in person or a 9 week online program


Cascade Christian Childbirth Association

www.christianchildbirth.org
Certification: certified Christian birth doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: in-person workshop or online
Note: This is a Christian-based program.


Celebration of Birth Doula Academy

https://celebrationofbirth.com/sacred-birth-doula-training/
Certification: certificate of completion
Length of certificate: n/a
Location: in-person or self-paced online


Charis Childbirth
www.charischildbirth.org
Certification: Charis certified doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: North Port, Florida
Note: This is a Christian-based program.
 
 
Childbirth International
www.childbirthinternational.com
Certification: certified birth doula
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: online, self-paced
 
 
Community College of Allegheny County

https://www.ccac.edu/workforce-and-community/workforce-development/maternity-doula-training-program.php
Certification: yes
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: a 9 week program that is a combination of in-person and online


Cornerstone Doula Trainings
www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com
Certification: certified labor doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online, self-paced
Note: This program heavily incorporates new age and occult practices.
 
 
DONA
www.dona.org
Certification: certified birth doula
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: workshops throughout the country or online live workshops
 
 
Doula Alliance
www.doulaalliance.com
Certification: professional birth doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: workshops or online
 
 
Doula Trainings International
www.wearedti.com
Certification: certified doula (this is birth and postpartum in one)
Length of certification: does not expire  
Location: 4 day workshops in person or online
 
 
DoulaVersity
www.doulaversity.com
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: does not expire  
Location: online 
 
 
Elite Doula and Co.
www.theelitedoulaandco.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: online training followed by an in-person workshop
Note: This is a Christian-based program.
 

Global Birth Community
www.globalbirthcommunity.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: virtual training at scheduled dates
Note: This is a Christian-based program.
 

Growing Your Nest with Kimberly Williams RN
www.growingyournest.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: in-person workshop

 
Go Midwife
www.gomidwife.com
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online
 
 
Hartland College

https://adventistmidwives.com/childbirth-educator-and-doula-certification/
Certification: yes
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: a 4-week course online with weekly live sessions
Note: This is a Christian-based program (Seventh Day Adventist).


Heartmother Journey

https://www.rootedineden.org/hearthmother-journey
Certificate: no certificate or regulation, upon completion there is a certificate of birth ministry and a digital badge
Length of certification: n/a
Location: a 12-month course online
Note: This is a Christian-based program.


ICEA (The International Childbirth Education Association)
www.icea.org
Certification: ICEA certified birth doula
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: in-person workshops, live virtual workshops, or self-paced online
 
 
International Doula Institute
www.internationaldoulainstitute.com
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: online  
 
 
Lifespan Doulas
https://lifespandoulas.com
Certification: yes
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: online, self-paced



Madriella  
www.madriella.org
Certification: certified birth doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online
 
 
Maternity Wise

https://www.maternitywise.com/labor-doula-program
Certification: yes
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: in person or online


New Beginnings Doula Training
www.trainingdoulas.com
Certification: certified doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online
 
 
Positive Pregnancy Journey's program Faith Driven Doulas

https://faithdrivendoula.fws.store/storepageSwOgg.aspx
Certification: yes
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: a 12-week online program that has optional in-person training
Note: This is a Christian-based program.


ProDoula
www.prodoula.com
Certification: certified labor doula
Length of certification: annual “membership fee” to stay certified  
Location: online or in-person workshops
 

Sacred Sisterhood Doula Training
www.sacredsisterhooddoula.org
Certification: certified indie birth doula
Length of certification: does not expire
Location: online, 4-month program



Stillbirthday
www.stillbirthday.com
Certification: birth and bereavement doula
Length of certification: does not expire  
Location: online, work at your own pace 
 
 
The Matrona
www.thematrona.com
Certification: holistic doula
Length of certification: not clear on their website at this time
Location: online
 
 
toLabor
www.tolabor.com
Certification: certified professional doula
Length of certification: yearly membership required to maintain  
Location: 3-day workshop at varying locations throughout the country or available online
 

IN-PERSON TRAINING AVAILABLE
  • BEST doula training
  • Birth Boot Camp
  • Birth Works
  • CAPPA
  • Carriage House Birth
  • Cascade Christian Childbirth Association
  • Celebration of Birth Doula Academy 
  • Charis Childbirth
  • DONA
  • Doula Alliance
  • Doula Trainings International 
  • Elite Doula and Co. 
  • Growing Your Nest 
  • ICEA
  • Maternity Wise
  • ProDoula
  • toLabor
 
FULLY ONLINE PROGRAMS ARE
  • A Woman Who Serves
  • BEST
  • Birth Advocacy Doula Trainings
  • Birth Arts International
  • Birth Beautifully
  • Birth Becomes You
  • Birth Boot Camp 
  • Birth With Spirit
  • Birth Works
  • Birthing From Within
  • CAPPA
  • Carriage House Birth
  • Cascade Christian Childbirth Association 
  • Celebration of Birth Doula Academy
  • Childbirth International
  • Cornerstone 
  • DONA
  • Doula Alliance
  • Doula Trainings International
  • DoulaVersity
  • Faith Driven Doulas (Positive Pregnancy Journal)
  • Global Birth Community
  • Go Midwife
  • Hartland College
  • Heartmother Journey
  • ICEA
  • International Doula Institute
  • Lifespan Doulas
  • Madriella
  • Maternity Wise
  • New Beginnings Doula Training
  • ProDoula
  • Sacred Sisterhood Doula Training
  • Stillbirthday
  • the Matrona
  • toLabor
 
PROGRAMS WITH A PERMANENT CERTIFICATE
  • A Woman Who Serves
  • Birth Arts International
  • Birth Becomes You
  • Birth With Spirit 
  • Carriage House Birth
  • Childbirth International
  • Doula Trainings International
  • DoulaVersity
  • Elite Doula and Co.
  • Global Birth Community
  • Growing Your Nest
  • Lifespan Doulas
  • Sacred Sisterhood Doula Training
  • Stillbirthday University
  ​
Which program should you choose?

There are a wide variety of doula training programs out there. Some are faith-based, most are secular, and some are new age. Some use traditional gendered language while others use inclusive/neutral language. Some are in person, others are online. Some offer permanent certificates, others require renewal and continuing costs. Some programs focus on natural birth while others prepare the student doula for different types of birth experiences. Choose a program that aligns with your faith, values, and philosophies on birth/women's health.

Click here to read my blog about what to look for in a doula training program.
 

9 Comments
Brea McQuoid link
3/1/2018 18:39:42

I'm a die-hard Cornerstone advocate! Their training was incredibly saturated with all of the information you need to start your own business immediately. For anyone looking to become a birth and/or postpartum doula, placenta specialist or advanced courses in the Bay Area or Portland - this is who you should choose to study with!

Reply
Antoinnette
14/1/2018 10:16:25

Thank you for this!

Reply
Leanna Mae
15/1/2018 21:12:15

You're welcome :) Thank you for being the first person to say thank you!

Reply
Juliana Heartbeat Doula Network link
10/1/2019 20:41:48

Our Fast-track course for postpartum doula training is starting in February-- thanks for adding us to your list above!

Reply
Heather Knepp
9/10/2019 11:13:52

Would absolutely love to know the top recommended one for Postpartum Doula training

Reply
Ann Tumblin
9/7/2021 19:18:44

Consider who is administering the organization with which you choose to certify. If you choose to go with an organization that is managed by a board of directors elected by the members, you will have a say in the organization. If you choose an organization that is administered by an individual who makes all the decisions, your certification only lasts as long as the organization lasts. A few years ago, a cbe certifying organization decided to stop their program and all their cbes lost their certification and many had to pay and go with another organization so that they could continue to teach at hospitals, etc.

Reply
Alicia
28/11/2021 23:50:53

Luckily it doesn't work the same for doulas, as in most cases doulas do not actually need to be certified to attend births.

Reply
Alicia J O'Dwyer
28/11/2021 23:48:53

Would love to see Lifespan Doula certification training on this list. What makes Lifespan really unique is that they offer birth, post-partum AND end-of-life doula training and certification, and classes are cost-effective to boot. They are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but classes and training are all online. I'm about halfway through the program and I am loving it!

Reply
Alicia J O'Dwyer
28/11/2021 23:51:53

(And thanks for such a valuable resource!)

Reply

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Leanna Mae is a small-town Ohio girl who loves to write. She’s the author of several nonfiction paperback books: Happily Frugal, The Subject of Salvation, and Lessons on the Author Life. She has also written many blogs, and focuses on sharing her faith through blogging. Her heart's desire is to reach the world with the message of her faith through her website. Leanna is a devout Christian, Apostolic Pentecostal. Her degree is in health sciences. Leanna Mae is an author, women's health educator, and birth doula. She’s passionate about Jesus, her faith, writing, and teaching. She is also passionate about patient rights, healthcare ethics, and women’s health. You can learn more about Leanna Mae, her books, blogs, and services by exploring www.LeannaMae.org


Leanna Mae

Apostolic Pentecostal Christian

international author

maternal-infant wellness educator

birth doula

breastfeeding specialist

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  • Home
  • About Leanna
  • My Christian Faith
    • My faith journey
    • Written by an Apostolic Pentecostal woman
    • bible study from The Subject of Salvation
    • Bible reading schedules
  • My books
    • where to purchase
    • Happily Frugal
    • The Subject of Salvation
    • Lessons on the Author Life
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    • the scroll
  • Maternal Infant Wellness Education
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  • Contact