Becoming a Doula

When I decided to become a doula back in 2021, I thought it would be more complicated than it was. I researched reputable sources online and chose DONA International for my training because of how recognized they were and their upstanding history. Due to Covid, they still weren’t offering in-person classes, so I searched through their website for a date and time that worked best for my schedule as a working mom and picked a weekend Zoom class that was affordable as well. At first, I was anxious because we were required to have our cameras on. But all my nerves soon faded, as I got to know my instructor and classmates. It was interesting to get to know them and learn why they wanted to take the course and hear their stories. It was also nice to share my own experiences and have them be so understanding and welcoming as a newcomer to this amazing community of birth workers. You may think that a 16-hour course isn’t long enough, and you may be right. But the real mastery of doula work comes from the hands-on experience. The biggest take away I got from the training was that anyone who is compassionate and empathetic can be a doula. That’s why I think my background in healthcare helped me grasp the lessons so easily and gave me all the tools I needed to be a successful doula.