ICEA Birth Doula Workshop

Empowering You to Empower Birth

At BabyMatters, birth is honored as a profound life event, one that deserves compassionate, skilled, and evidence-based support. Through the BabyMatters Birth Doula Workshop, individuals are prepared to guide families through childbirth by supporting their physical, emotional, and informational needs in a manner that empowers informed decision making and nurtures positive birth experiences.

You’ll gain:

• The skills and confidence to provide continuous support during labor and birth
• A professional foundation to start your work as a birth doula or enhance your existing role
• Tools to build strong, trusting relationships with expectant families
• Knowledge to support families in making informed choices during labor
• A network of fellow birth professionals for ongoing support and collaboration
• Preparation to move forward with the certification process and professional development

What is a Birth Doula?

A birth doula is a specially trained professional equipped to support individuals and families throughout pregnancy, labor, and early parenthood.

At BabyMatters, our training prepares birth doulas to assist clients by nurturing their physical and emotional well-being, helping them navigate choices during childbirth, and providing advocacy alongside healthcare providers.

Why Do Families Need A Birth Doula?

Families benefit from having a birth doula because continuous, one-on-one support during labor brings measurable improvements in outcomes. Research shows that women supported by doulas are:

• 28% less likely to have a cesarean section
• 31% less likely to require pitocin to speed up labor
• 9% less likely to use pain medication
• 34% less likely to rate their childbirth experience negatively

In addition, doulas offer physical comfort, emotional reassurance, and evidence-based guidance that help families navigate birth with confidence and clarity.

Why Should You Become a Birth Doula?

Becoming a birth doula means joining a respected movement that honors choice, collaboration, and compassionate care.

BabyMatters trained birth doulas:

• Contribute to improved birth experiences that align with family-centered maternity care
• Receive training grounded in current, evidence-based research that enables them to support informed, respectful childbirth
• Are recognized as vital members of the birth support team, equipped with the knowledge to advocate for families and foster positive birth outcomes

Training Details

Location:

• Varies; see below for current options.
• Don’t see your preferred location? Bring us to you!
  • Our Sponsor/Host Guide will let you know what you will need to do to bring a class to your area.
    • Sample Contract
  • If you are interested in bringing a course to your area, please reach out to us at debbie@babymatters.org after reviewing the Guide and Sample Contract.

Time Commitment:

• Varies, Typically:
  • In-Person – 2 consecutive days. i.e. Fri & Sat 8-5
  • Virtual – Weekly for 7 weeks or BiWeekly for 3.5 weeks or 2.5 consecutive days.
  • See specific available courses for specific time commitment.

What to Expect:
In a Birth Doula workshop, you can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Birth Doula, along with practical skills and knowledge to support new families through the labor and birth process of their pregnancy. Here are some key elements you might encounter: