What is a doula?
Doulas are professionals who provide support through life transitions. Doulas are typically known for providing support before, during, and after childbirth, which is a critical time for any birthing person as well as the rest of the family. Doulas also provide support in end of life, grief and loss, fertility, surrogacy, adoption, long-term illness, divorce, and more. Doulas are nonmedical professionals skilled at supporting and creating a positive overall life experience through physical, emotional, and informational support.
Why use a doula?
Doulas are professionals trained in guiding individuals and families throughout pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and other major life events, including end-of-life transitions. In addition to emotional support and guidance, doulas provide physical support, informational support, and resources to guide others through life's experiences.
Utilizing the services of a doula has been proven to provide various benefits:
- Being supported emotionally helps birthing-persons gain a positive overall childbirth experience.
- Equipped with advice, guidance, and emotional support of a doula, individuals feel connected, nurtured and empowered to make decisions.
- Birthing-persons are more prepared for the adjustments related to having a new baby and are able to experience lower levels of anxiety, which can have a positive impact on breastfeeding, sleeping patterns, etc.
- Doulas not only support the birthing individuals, but also provide support to partners, other family members and loved ones.
- With the support of a doula, birth and life partners are better able to support new birthing-persons and help ease the family into the transition of welcoming a new baby.
- Families benefiting from the services of a doula are better equipped to adjust to postpartum life.
- Families benefiting from the services of a doula provide more emotional security and positive mental health and wellbeing.
Become a certified professional doula
If you are serious about becoming a professional doula, the first step involves getting trained. As leaders in setting the standards of the doula profession, the NDCB can help you become a Certified Professional Doula (CPD). The certification process requires you to complete training and clinical experience before applying to take the certification exam.
Become a Certified Professional Doula
If you are serious about becoming a professional doula, the first step involves getting trained. As leaders in setting the standards of the doula profession, the NDCB can help you become a Certified Professional Doula (CPD). The certification process requires you to complete training and clinical experience before applying to take the certification exam.
Now that you know how to become a doula, are you ready to get started?
Start the certification process today!