Becoming a Doula

Are you passionate about supporting families during one of the most important moments of their lives? We’re looking for compassionate individuals to train as doulas and serve their communities—so every birthing person has access to the care and support they deserve.

Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing people before, during, and after childbirth. They offer guidance, comfort measures, and advocacy to ensure families feel empowered and supported throughout their journey. While doulas are not medical professionals, they play a crucial role in improving birth experiences by offering continuous, personalized care.

Doulas play a vital role in improving birth outcomes and providing essential support to birthing individuals and their families. Research consistently shows that having a trained doula present during labor leads to better experiences and improved health outcomes. Studies published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and The Journal of Perinatal Education have found that continuous labor support from a doula is associated with:

  • Shorter labors – Individuals with doula support often experience shorter labor times.

  • Lower rates of interventions – Studies show a significant decrease in the use of epidurals, Pitocin, and cesarean births when doulas are involved.

  • Improved birth satisfaction – Birthing individuals report feeling more in control, empowered, and supported throughout their experience.

  • Better newborn outcomes – Babies born with doula support present have higher APGAR scores and are more likely to be successfully breastfed.

Doulas provide emotional reassurance, physical comfort techniques, and evidence-based information to help families make informed decisions. Their presence fosters a more positive and supported birth experience, which is linked to lower postpartum depression rates and better overall maternal mental health

Is Doula Work Right for You?

Becoming a doula is a meaningful and fulfilling career, but it isn’t for everyone. The unpredictable nature of birth requires a high level of dedication and emotional resilience. A doula’s role extends beyond the birth itself—prenatal visits, postpartum support, and ongoing communication with clients are essential parts of the job.

If you’re passionate about birth, committed to advocacy, and ready for a career that blends flexibility with deep, personal connection, becoming a doula may be the perfect path for you. With training opportunities available and increasing demand for doulas in communities nationwide, now is a great time to start your journey.

Compensation & Flexibility

Many insurance companies, including Medicaid in some states, now offer reimbursement for doula services. This makes doula care more accessible while ensuring doulas can receive payment for their work. In addition to insurance-based clients, doulas often have private pay clients, allowing them to set their own rates and work independently.

Doulas typically operate as independent professionals, giving them the flexibility to manage their own schedules. However, attending births requires a unique level of commitment. Babies arrive on their own timeline, meaning doulas must be on-call for weeks at a time, ready to support a laboring client at any hour. While the work is rewarding, it requires adaptability, patience, and a deep passion for birth work.

Our Doula Training

Our 10-week doula training program, held weekly on Saturdays, is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to support birthing individuals and families. This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as childbirth education, comfort techniques, advocacy, postpartum care, and the business of being a doula. Upon completion, participants will be Traditional Health Workers (THW), further expanding their ability to serve their communities.

But our support doesn’t stop at training! We offer:

  • Continuing Education Opportunities – Stay up to date with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in birth work.

  • Networking & Support Groups – Connect with experienced doulas, share experiences, and build a strong community of support.

  • Doula Referral Registry – Get listed in our registry to help match you with families in need of doula services.

  • Business Success Training – We bring in experts to provide workshops on launching and sustaining a successful doula business, covering topics like marketing, contracts, and setting rates.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to expand your expertise, our program not only prepares you to be a skilled doula but also sets you up for long-term success in this rewarding career.

  • The average reimbursement for Doulas in Oregon is $1250. The payment ranges between different insurance companies and the State insurance.

  • Moda and CareOregon both pay for these types of visits.

  • You decide what birthing clients you want to take on and that can mean you do 2-3 births a month at an average. Keep in mind, babies come at all times of the day and night, so you will be on call for your clients and have to be keenly aware of their needs.