10 Reasons Why You Should be a Doula
1. You Want a Fulfilling Career
Doulas make a significant difference in healthy outcomes for both mothers and babies. Research shows that doulas help reduce the likelihood of a cesarean birth, instrument assisted birth, unnecessary interventions, the need for Pitocin, the length of labor, and mothers are more satisfied with their birth. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that using doulas improves outcomes and has no known risks to mothers or babies. Likewise, the World Health Organization (WHO) also credits doulas with improving healthy outcomes for mothers and babies.
2. You Want a Fulfilling Career That Will Adapt to Your Phase in Life
Maybe you are a full-time, work-from-home parent with children and need/want a job that allows flexibility around your family’s schedule.
Maybe you’re working a full-time job that pays the bills and you need something that you can coordinate with your work schedule.
Perhaps you’re retired and you’re looking for something that will reignite your passion.
No matter where you are in life, doula work will fit.
Yes, it’s true that a lot of doula work is very unpredictable because, well, babies are born at all hours of the day and (mostly!) night with or without much warning. Teaming up with another doula (or two, three..) is a great way to share on-call time, plan your schedule better, and still meet all of your needs.
3. You Want a Fulfilling Career That Pays
"Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life".
That's especially true for doulas.
While no one is getting rich from being a doula (and honestly, this is not the reason you should be going into doula work!), you just happen to get paid for doing the work you love. As the business owner, you get to set your own fees. What’s your budget? What are your overhead costs? How much do you need to make? That’s what you make.
Let me stress again that it is important that you are called to this work because something in your heart, something in your whole entire being, is longing to care for mothers and babies and you are NOT going into this work for a paycheck. This work is about caring for families. The bonus is you get paid for working from the heart.
4. You Want a Fulfilling Career That Doesn’t Require a College Degree or Medical Training
Doulas are not nurses. Doulas are not midwives. Doulas are not doctors. Doulas do not require any medical training or clinical skills as part of their certification. Doulas do not need a resume. Doulas do not need a degree – of ANY type. Some doulas have PhDs. Some doulas have GEDs. Some doulas do not have either.
5. You Want a Fulfilling Career That You Can Grow and Expand as You Choose
Doula work grows with you. Your business can expand (or slow down) however you need. If now’s not the right time to take on too many doula clients, but a year from now, three years from now, life will change and allow for even greater business growth, you can adapt your doula work.
Maybe you build a team. Maybe you begin teaching comfort techniques to nurses. Maybe you add to your credentials and pick up additional trainings like Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and begin teaching classes.
6. You Want to Own Your Own Business/Be Your Own Boss
Owning your own business, being your own boss has so many benefits, but the biggest one of all might be the fact that YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOU. You determine how this job will work. You determine your rate of pay, your raise, your vacation, your work schedule. You determine how this will fit into your family’s life or fulfill your retirement years. You choose your co-workers (if you want them). You choose your clients.
7. You Can Begin Right Away
Once your training starts, you can begin taking clients as soon as you feel ready. Your training should not only teach you some really cool comfort techniques (and your family will love when you practice on them!), but it should also prepare you for the business side of this career – writing contracts, marketing skills, getting your logo and website together, and so much more.
Some of that takes time, but YOU get to decide when you’re ready – weeks or months. Not years.
8. You Love Babies
I mean, that fresh, squishy baby smell speaks for itself, right?
Them: What do you do all day at your job?
Me: I am paid to hold babies all day.
Them: Tough job.
Yeah, that ^^^
9. You Love Moms
There’s no other job in this world more important that being a mom. Hands down the hardest, most rewarding position we will ever hold. The next greatest thing to becoming a mom? Becoming a doula. Mothering the mother. Taking care of that new mom so that they can be their very best self. Happy, healthy moms raise happy, healthy children. Our world needs more of both. Doulas make a difference.
10. You’re Good at Taking Care of People
Do you enjoy making soup for someone when they’re not feeling well?
Do you enjoy making special gifts for special occasions?
Do you like learning new ways that you could help others?
Is it fulfilling to you when you see a need and can step in and make a difference?
Are you warm and comforting?
Do people look to you when they need something?
Do you have a big heart?
Is it natural for you to step in where you know you could help?
If you answered yes, then you’re probably already a doula at heart and you should probably answer your calling to deepen this special gift you have been given.
Family Trees Birth Programs is an internationally recognized training program for birth professionals and popular childbirth education classes for new and expecting parents.
Our Lamaze-Accredited Childbirth Educator Program trains birth professionals from all over the world to become Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators. Lamaze is the gold standard of evidence based childbirth education training and our programs make teaching this information fun and exciting.
Our real-time, web based, distance Doula School trains individuals who are interested in serving in a hands-on support role during birth and postpartum.