Blog / Doula Business
Becoming a professional doula means taking care of business. We are focused exclusively on the doula profession and have been for over 25 years.
DONA International doulas build successful doula businesses based on integrity, commitment and respect. Every doula’s goals and dreams for her practice are different. Read on to gain tips, insight and resources to take your practice to the next level.
Back to School is for Doulas Too!
In North America, Europe and other northern hemisphere countries, it is the time of new backpacks, school buses and new routines. While we generally think of kids and college students at back to school time, it’s a great time for doulas to continue their education as...
Certification Matters: CDs and PCDs Get Higher Fees & More Clients
By Kim James, ICCE, LCCE, BDT(DONA) About the Author: Kim James has run a successful birth doula business for 15 years in Seattle, Washington. Kim’s roles in the birth community include: DONA-approved birth doula trainer at the Simkin Center for Allied Birth...
Networking for Doulas
About the Author: Wendy Scharp is the owner of Doula Love, a thriving doula agency and classroom in Portland, Oregon. She is a DONA approved birth doula trainer and ICEA childbirth educator trainer. She has been a doula and childbirth educator for over 10 years....
Collaboration: Doula Practice Models in Action
Editor's Note: Melissa Harley, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE is a certified birth doula, birth doula trainer and childbirth educator. She also serves as the Southeastern US Regional Director for DONA International. In her doula and childbirth education practice and her...
Countdown to International Doula Month
With only a few days left in April, International Doula Month is just around the corner. May was designated as International Doula Month in 1998 and is a great time to plan an event, collaborate with community organizations dedicated to the health of women and...
Celebrating Doulas: World Doula Week!
Happy World Doula Week! According to the website, World Doula Week was chosen to coincide with the spring equinox which is associated with fertility in many cultures. This is a great opportunity to share about the role of doulas and the benefits of doula support. Did...
The Birth of a Hospital Doula Program
Editor’s Note: Sujata Gami has been on staff with the Women’s Education Department at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC as a childbirth educator since 2007. Her experience with the Alternative Birth Methods team she describes below has inspired her to become a...
Submit Your Proposal to Present at the DONA International Annual Conference!
Presentation proposals are now being accepted for the 2015 annual conference, Building on Tradition, Embracing the Future. This will be DONA International’s 2nd virtual, conference allowing doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants and anyone interested in...
Show your clients a little love this Valentine’s Day
Want to build your doula practice in 2015? Staying in touch with past clients can be a great way to get referrals!
Make S.M.A.R.T. Plans for 2015
A new year is upon us and with it comes planning for the months ahead. While some may resolve to start or expand a doula practice (pun intended!), it’s no secret that the right kind of goals can make all the difference in what you will achieve in 2015. It is commonly...
Winter Weather Tips for Doulas
Tis the Season – Tips for Doulas During the Holidays
While marketing began weeks ago, the holidays are closing in (really). It is a special time of year, yet one that can bring a good bit of stress, too. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you support clients between now and New Year’s: This time of year includes...
Community Based Doulas
What is a community based doula? A community based doula works with clients who are typically young in age, of low income and have little to no support. Community based doulas meet with their clients several months before birth, attend the birth and meet in the weeks...
Making the Right Referral When You Aren’t the Right Doula
You've likely had the experience of meeting families during interviews who you can't optimally serve. When you aren't the right doula; it's time to make a great referral to the doula who is a better fit. Why it's important to make great referrals. 1. It's part of our...
Medicaid Now Covering Birth Doulas in Oregon
Doulas who have been registered on the Traditional Healthcare Worker Registry can now have their services reimbursed by Medicaid. The registration process requires both an application and background check. This is a huge development for bringing doula services to...
Social Media Considerations for Doulas – Part 2
This is the second article in our two part series on important considerations for doulas using social media. If you missed part one, you can find it here. The company you keep: In social media, the groups you are part of, the pages you like, the posts you share, and...
Social Media Considerations for Doulas – Part 1
For so many of us and the families we serve, social media is part of the daily fabric of our lives. We use it to market our services, stay in touch, gain information, and obtain support. Social media can be a powerful tool for a successful doula. Facebook, Twitter,...
Winter Weather Tips for Doulas
This winter has packed a powerful punch with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures for parts of the U.S. and Canada that hardly ever see this type of weather. What’s a doula to do? Support and availability to clients during the winter months can present unique...