The process and time it takes to become a postpartum doula are similar in structure to becoming a birth doula, but with a focus on postnatal care rather than labor and delivery support. Here's an overview of the timeline and steps involved in becoming a certified postpartum doula:
1. Doula Training Workshop
- Duration: Initial training workshops for postpartum doulas typically last 2 to 4 days. These workshops are designed to provide foundational knowledge on postpartum care, breastfeeding support, newborn care techniques, and the emotional and physical recovery of the mother.
2. Certification Requirements
After completing the initial workshop, you'll need to fulfill several requirements for certification, which can include:
- Practical Experience: Gaining hands-on experience by working with families during the postpartum period. The required number of hours or families served can vary by certifying organization but often involves around 20 to 30 hours of postpartum support.
- Additional Coursework: Some certification programs require additional education in areas such as lactation support, infant CPR, or postpartum mood disorders. The time to complete these courses varies.
- Documentation and Evaluation: Documenting your postpartum support experiences and submitting evaluations from the families you've assisted. Some programs may also require a written exam.
- Certification Process: Once you've met all requirements, you submit your documentation to the certifying body. The review and certification issuance can take a few weeks to several months.
3. Overall Time Frame
The entire process to become a certified postpartum doula can take from a few months to over a year, much like the birth doula certification process. The most variable aspect is gaining the required practical experience, which depends on your ability to connect with clients and the demand for postpartum doulas in your area.
4. Continuous Education
Continuing education is also crucial for postpartum doulas. Many pursue additional certifications or training in specialized areas such as pediatric feeding, postpartum mental health, or infant sleep coaching. Continuous learning allows you to offer a broader range of services and stay updated on best practices in postpartum care.
In summary, becoming a postpartum doula requires a commitment to education and practical experience, with the timeline varying based on individual circumstances and the requirements of the certification program chosen. Continuous education plays a key role in maintaining your skills and expanding your service offerings as a postpartum doula.
Doulas Found New Clients on Bornbir (Feb 2024 Updates)
Feb 26, 2024
- Brandi Kiesling, Postpartum Doula from Carlsbad, California;
- Liz Hoffmann, Birth Doula from Thibodaux, Louisiana;
- Matteah Cruz, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Granbury, Texas;
- Erica Holly, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Indianapolis, Indiana;
- Andzelika Bielawski, a certified birth, bereavement, and postpartum doula from Orlando, Florida;
- Samantha Saephan, a night nanny, trained overnight postpartum doula, and lactation educator counselor from El Cerrito, California;
- Dawn Bower, Lactation Consultant from Lancaster, California;
- Cheyenne Bell, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Medford, Massachusetts;
- Reihaneh Hadipour, Postpartum Doula from Irvine, California;
- Atija Byers, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Sacramento, California;
- Mia Willis, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Chicago, Illinois;
- Jalisia Williams, holistic full spectrum doula from West Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
- Deu Almeida, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Boston, Massachusetts;
- Julia Knight, Birth & Postpartum Doula from New York City, New York;
- Adara Parker, Birth Doula from Dayton, Ohio;
- Madison Gordon, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Salt Lake City, Utah;
- Tricia Alexander, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Minneapolis, Minnesota;
- Malika Frank, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Burlington, New Jersey;
- Abigail Stovall, Certified Full Spectrum Doula and Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist from Waco, Texas;
- Michellee Valdez, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Elizabeth, New Jersey;
- Heza Litteken, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Harker Heights, Texas;
- Coralys Vargas, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Altamonte Springs, Florida;
- Nazma Noray, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Iowa City, Iowa;
- Michelle Humbert, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Chicago, Illinois;
- Karen Fields, Birth Doula from Aliso Viejo, California;
- Naima Bond, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Atlanta, Georgia;
- Amanda Echols, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin;
- Dominique Jones, Birth Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist from Clinton, Maryland;
- Chelsea McShane, Birth & Postpartum Doula from Tuckerton, New Jersey;
- Jenn Randall, Birth Doula from Orlando, Florida;
- Gina Benson, Birth & Postpartum from Roseville, California
Feb 8, 2024
- Bridgette McQueen from Franklinton, North Carolina;
- Diamond Jones from Panama City Beach, Florida;
- Tara O’Neill is a certified professional midwife licensed in the state of Michigan;
- Janelle Moore in Mesa, Arizona;
- Jessica Meeds, a birth doula from Seattle, Washington;
- Tiara Grandison from Arlington, Texas;
- Christie Williams from Acworth, Georgia;
- Molly Campbell practicing out of Saratoga Springs, Utah;
- Karen Guthrie from San Clemente, California;
- Laurynn Howard from Charlotte, North Carolina;
- Veronica Hinojosa-Stang from Los Angeles, California;
- Tatiana Walker from Hyattsville, Maryland;
- Sage Herring, a birth doula from Tampa, Florida;
- Christian Cade from McKinney, Texas;
- Stephanie Hunt with her practice based out of Indianapolis, Indiana;
- Erica Green from Bel Air, Maryland.
- Brenda Allen is based in Livingston, Tennessee.
- Amanda Smith from Smithfield, North Carolina
- Jordan Fullow practices in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Jillian Barker is located in Youngstown, Ohio.
- Gabriell Garner from Bowie, Maryland
- Karriane Grow is based in Dayton, Ohio.
- Jess Kimball is from Jefferson, North Carolina.
- Gabriella Cole is from Wise, Virginia.
- Joanna Guzman from Wimauma, Florida
- Hailey Kinnear is a full-spectrum doula from Courtice, Ontario, Canada.
