Postpartum Doula Certification

You want to become a postpartum doula! New families need so much support in those early weeks and months, and you can use your skills and your heart to help them get off to a great start.

You have the potential to touch so many lives! It’s exciting to imagine the unique skills and gifts you’re going to bring to this amazing work. Your journey starts by choosing a DONA Approved Postpartum Doula Training Workshop. These high-quality workshops all meet DONA International’s highest professional standards, which means you’ll be learning the skills you really need to provide excellent service to every family you support.

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After completing your workshop and all certification requirements, you will receive a digital certificate.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Required Education

DONA-approved postpartum doula workshop (27+ hours)
Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork webinar (self-paced) and available at DONA Elevate.
Provide postpartum support for at least 3 families within 12 weeks after birth
Minimum of 12 hours and a minimum of 3 visits per family of total service for each family supported (36 hours total across 3 families)

Practical Experience

Must be submitted within 3 years of workshop completion
Postpartum experience forms and evaluations
Evaluations of Support from each of the 3 clients and their partners (or other observing adults)
Develop a community resource and referral list
Self-assessment questionnaire
Scope of Practice + Code of Ethics Agreements
DONA International membership required for packet submission
The certification process can take up to 3 months when applications require revision

Get classroom training as well as hands-on practice with our postpartum doula certification program.

In your postpartum doula training you can expect to learn not only the how to doula, but also the why we doula. Workshops cover evidence-based information about the benefits of doula support, the tender and sensitive time and space when new families brings home a new baby, the significance of doula support to a family, practical hands-on techniques, as well as the steps to begin a career as a postpartum doula. The comprehensive training program includes in-person training, experiences and evaluation, home study, and additional coursework. The Postpartum Doula Certification curriculum is designed to help new postpartum doulas feel prepared and confident to work with families during the transition to parenthood.

Your DONA Doula Certification Roadmap:

Get the Official FAQs & Start With Confidence

If you’re serious about getting DONA-certified, this will give you clarity fast. Enter your email and we’ll send you the official DONA Birth & Postpartum Doula Certification FAQ—a no-fluff guide covering everything you need to know to get started!