08/05/2025
💜 What Is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth (or throughout other reproductive experiences like miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or postpartum). Doulas are there to nurture, comfort, and advocate but not to diagnose or treat.
There are different types of doulas depending on the phase of support:
Birth Doula – Supports the birthing person during pregnancy, labor, and delivery
Postpartum Doula – Supports the new family in the first weeks or months after birth
Full-Spectrum Doula – Provides support across all reproductive experiences including abortion, loss, and fertility struggles
Fertility Doula – Walks alongside those trying to conceive, naturally or with medical assistance
🤱🏾 What Does a Doula Do (and Not Do)?
A doula does:
Provide continuous support during labor (think breathwork, comfort measures, birth positions)
Help the birthing person and family understand their options
Encourage and empower the birthing person to advocate for themselves
Offer evidence-based information
Support partners so they feel confident and involved
Assist with postpartum recovery, newborn care, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, and emotional healing
A doula does not:
Perform clinical tasks (no cervical checks, no fetal monitoring, no delivering the baby)
Make medical decisions
Replace nurses, midwives, or OBs. Doulas are a part of the team, not in competition with it
📜 Do You Have to Be Certified?
Nope. Doulas are not licensed or regulated by any state or federal government in the U.S. That means:
You don’t legally need to be certified to practice
Training and certification through organizations like DONA, CAPPA, ProDoula, BADT, or others can build credibility, boost skills, and give access to networks, even if they’re not required
Some hospitals or programs might ask for certification before allowing access to patients, so it can be helpful depending on your goals
✨ BUT some of the most powerful doulas out here are not “certified.” They are called. They’ve studied, trained, learned from life and experience, and they show up with heart and purpose. That matters more than paper
⚖️ Are There Laws Around Being a Doula?
Doulas are not currently regulated as a profession. There is no national or state licensure
That means doulas operate as independent professionals and typically work under contracts, not institutions
Some states are exploring Medicaid reimbursement for doula care (like Oregon, Minnesota, and New York), and that may require state-recognized certification or registration
Doulas should still protect themselves with contracts, liability insurance if desired, and strong documentation practices
🗣️ Final Thought:
Being a doula isn’t about titles. It’s about trust. It’s about showing up in one of the most sacred, vulnerable, and powerful times of someone’s life and holding space with knowledge, empathy, and grace. Whether you’re certified or not, if you’re showing up with your heart in the right place, your care is valid and your work matters
