Birth Doula Certification Requirements

Complete reading and written requirements – 

• Complete all steps and questions in the online learning system
• Do your Doula Journal Workbook
• Read eight books – five from a required book list and choose three others (one book from each of the three categories). 
• Write your essay (500 words) on the purpose and value of a birth doula
• Read Doulas of Love, ideally before taking the workshop

Attend all hours of the BirthWorks Birth Doula Workshop to receive your Certificate of Attendance and gain BirthWorks-Inspired status

Fulfill the childbirth educator/professional requirement – attend a 12-hour childbirth education series OR provide proof you’re a certified childbirth educator, midwife, or nurse (with at least three years labor and delivery experience)

Attend two births and provide relevant documentation – client confidentiality forms, birth record forms and evaluations (from the mother and a professional member of the birth team). Also write 1-2 page Birth Essays with a description each birth, mothers’ emotional response, the support you provided and what you learned. (Births count toward certification after you attend the workshop.)

Our blended-learning combines both online education including regular interactions, support and feedback from your Mentor, with face-to-face classroom experiences in the workshop, as well as you actually offering birth doula services. Our professional programs include transformational self-development work and training that is evidence-based and holistic – after completion you will be confident and highly-trained to be a fabulous, successful BWI professional.

• Certification cost is $550 (including Mentoring during your 18-month training period). *Refunds are offered within 30 days of receipt of payment minus a $75 processing fee.
• Your workshop, one of the certification requirements costs $475-$525
• You can do the Workshop first OR you can start your Certification work – that is up to you!

• FREE BirthWorks Membership during your 18-month training period!  ~ $105 Value
• Your BirthWorks Birth Doula Certification Packet with all detailed requirements
• Your BirthWorks Doula Journal Workbook for inspiration, personal reflection and deep learning
• Your Doulas of Love: A Guidebook for Doulas and Birthing Parents useful during the workshop
• Access to BirthWorks online learning platform to work toward certification from home any time you want. There you will access online resources, upload assignments, see your progress, and stay in communication with your Mentor. It includes significant reading topics and online questions to enhance your growth on key issues such as: being an exceptional doula, human values, marketing and interviews, birth plans, third trimester, herbs, our mothers, releasing fears, grieving and healing, nutrition, medical procedures and obstetric drugs, physiology of birth, ways to help labor progress, connecting state of mind with labor and parenting, emotions in labor, comfort measures, risk factors, cesarean sections, postpartum and breastfeeding, infant massage, Blessingway ceremonies
• Your personal BirthWorks Mentor offers any guidance and support needed (throughout your 18-month training period) and also reviews and comments on your work (as you upload assignments) through our online learning system. You can reach out to your Mentor any time!
• Professional listing in BirthWorks online directory for referrals
• Ability to set up your own small business, determine your own fees and keep all revenues
• International recognition as a Certified BirthWorks Birth Doula from a highly-respected organization
• Opportunity to become a BirthWorks Mentor and a BirthWorks Ambassador to promote BirthWorks in your area and earn extra money!
• Be part of an inspiring, passionate global network and community of birthworkers who are working together for a great cause!

We’re proud of the quality of our doulas and deeply care about the character of those we train! Birth is an emotional, exciting, and changing time in parents’ lives. They are influenced by their doula’s beliefs, attitudes, lifestyle, and if relevant how she gave birth. BirthWorks Doulas exemplify the importance of respecting one’s body, and taking care of self, family and home. This encompasses a lifestyle that strongly discourages smoking and recreational drug use. A BirthWorks Birth Doula:

• Strives to be an excellent listener who is non-judgmental and open-minded
• Believes in the instinctual knowledge born within women during birth and parenting
• Seeks personal growth through life experiences
• Supports safety of VBAC over scheduled repeat cesarean section in most cases
• Promotes the nutritional and emotional benefits of breastfeeding as the healthiest way to feed
• Understands the deep significance of the mother-baby-dyad and skin-to-skin contact for essential neurodevelopment of the baby
• Honors all cultural traditions and perspectives
• Keeps personal attire and language professional so her clients feel safe and welcome

You chose what is best for you! You can start with the workshop – some people take it, then are inspired to become certified. You can also join the certification training and begin online learning as well as reading and written requirements, then do the workshop later. (The workshop is good for three years toward your Certification if you want to spread out costs.)