International Doula Institute | Doula Blog

Black Doulas Are Fighting Poor Maternal Health Outcomes For Black Women

December 9, 2020

black maternal health outcomes In the US and other developed nations, black women are four to five times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth related complications. This is true regardless of economics, education, profession, etc. While medical organizations, government task forces and other professional study and seek solutions; black doulas are continuing to fight against poor maternal health outcomes for black women.

The current maternal fetal outcomes in the US are poor across the board. However, black women face disproportionately higher rates of death, and black infants have a higher infant mortality rate.

These stats aren’t something we like to be confronted with, but as birth workers, they are important to recognize. Why? Because we have a unique opportunity to be a small part of a big and necessary change in maternity care.

Why Are Birth Outcomes Worse For Black Women?

If I had the specific answer and solution, I would probably be head of the biggest healthcare task force around. Unfortunately, this is a multi-faceted issue we’re just beginning to truly research and address.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) tracks and provides these statistics. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die compared to their white peers. What hasn’t been confirmed by the CDC is the exact cause or causes, and the best solution to this problem.

We see these rates even when we adjust for income, education, profession, etc. We know that it cannot be related to lifestyle or a lack of health-related education. For this reason, advocates believe systemic medical racism plays a role in these poor outcomes.

Surprisingly, one survey found 40% of first and second year medical students falsely believed black skin was thicker than white and impacted how pain is felt. This is completely untrue and not evidenced based. In the ER, non-white patients are 34% less likely to receive prescription level pain relief for acute pain compared to white patients.

These conscious and unconscious biases impact how black patients receive care. This unfortunately extends to black mothers who are pregnant, laboring, and postpartum.

Some researchers also believe chronic stress related to everyday racism, historical events, and common socioeconomic struggles could have physiological impact on pregnant black women.

According to the National Partnership For Women and Families Black Women:

Experience physical “weathering,” meaning their bodies age faster than white women’s due to exposure to chronic stress linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and discrimination over the life course, thus making pregnancy riskier at an earlier age.
Are more likely to experience preventable maternal death compared with white women.
Black women’s heightened risk of pregnancy-related death spans income and education levels.

These are just a few points from their information on black maternal health outcomes.

What Are Doulas Doing About Poor Maternal Health Outcomes?

Doulas, especially black doulas, are a vital part of improving black maternal infant health outcomes. Doulas provide non-clinical continuous labor support. Evidence shows improved outcomes from continuous support.

According to ACOG:

“A Cochrane meta-analysis of 12 trials and more than 15,000 women demonstrated that the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery. Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.”

For black doulas, providing ongoing labor support for their black peers can be an opportunity to protect someone’s life by improving birth outcomes. No doula should carry the responsibility or assumption they can or will save lives, they’re non-medical. Unfortunately, in a time where black women face disproportionate outcomes, in theory, doulas have the potential to be protective.

A doula’s role includes:

Providing prenatal education, including common ailments women should immediately contact their doctor for (severe headache, preterm labor signs, vision changes, etc.)
Sharing evidenced-based birth information to help their clients make informed decisions so they can be their own advocates
Offering continuous labor support to reduce the risk of needing medical interventions including a c-section which increases the risk of complications
Help a client to feel confident in speaking up for themselves, or helping their support person to do so on their behalf
Educating clients about what to expect at the end of pregnancy, during labor, and in the immediate postpartum period so they recognize if something doesn’t seem right and can seek interventive care
Assist clients in making informed decisions about birth location, choosing a medical care provider, and picking a supportive birth team
Provide a professional who clients can relate to and feel comfortable with due to representative care

What Is The International Doula Institute Doing To Help Improve Maternal Health Outcomes?

At IDI, we pride ourselves in providing evidenced-based, up-to-date birth work curriculums and trainings. Our comprehensive doula courses provide all the skills and knowledge doulas need to provide prenatal education, continuous labor support, and postpartum care.

As an organization, we provide trainings in all 50 states, all over the world, and in many different communities. Our trainings require doulas to understand birth in their own community. They also need to understand birth in other communities and cultures. This ensures they can best support any client they take on.

We know the value of doulas and their role in improving maternal health outcomes across the board, and among black Americans. For this reason we designed our programs to be flexible for busy schedules, affordable via payment plans, and provide support so doulas from all countries and communities can access quality training to be a part of the change.

In 2020, IDI partnered with local Philadelphia organizations to offer scholarships. This is in addition to the occasional promotional giveaways we’ve always offered. Why? Because at IDI we know that doulas play a major role in healthy maternity care.

Through our comprehensive doula trainings, you’ll learn more about maternal health outcomes in the US, including disparities, as well as how to help improve outcomes in your community. One family at a time, doulas are making a difference in maternity care outcomes.

Are Doulas Allowed In Hospitals?

December 5, 2020

are doulas allowed in the hospital? — Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. from Pexels

The year 2020 has definitely thrown many for a loop, and doulas are no exception. At the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, doulas were not allowed in most hospitals. In fact, some hospitals didn’t even allow a birth partner. Now that we have more understanding of covid-19, are doulas allowed in hospitals?

The simplest answer, yes and no. I realize that doesn’t seem simple, but it truly depends on where you’re located.

It seems many doulas, birth advocates, and more have fought to raise awareness about the essential nature of doula work. This was successful in many areas and worked to allow doulas to support clients with extra safety regulations in place.

In other places, doulas have not been able to attend hospital births since the first hospital restrictions began.

Can Doulas Attend Hospital Births? Yes and No

Before committing to offer in-person labor support, it’s important your client confirm the current regulations. They need to check with their hospital or birth center. In most cases, homebirths have not placed strict covid-19 restrictions.

After the initial closures seen in New York and New Jersey, we saw the decision eventually reversed. This was after realizing the importance of continuous labor support. Doulas can now attend births in these areas. Clients did not have to choose between doula and their birth partner.

In New Jersey the order read:

“Recognizing the role of doulas as an essential part of an expectant mother’s care team, the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) today issued an executive directive exempting doulas from limits on support persons throughout a woman’s hospital stay during the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease statewide, there is now sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing capacity to allow doulas to resume their duties during labor and delivery as a member of a pregnant woman’s health care team.

Doulas support healthy pregnancies by providing culturally appropriate, social and emotional support to pregnant women throughout the prenatal period, labor and delivery, as well as the postpartum period. Research demonstrates that support from a doula is associated with lower caesarian section rates, fewer obstetric interventions, fewer complications, and the improved health of mothers and babies after delivery.

Under the directive, hospitals are required to allow at least one designated support person to be with the expectant mother during her hospital stay – the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling or another person she chooses. Doulas will no longer be counted toward this limit and can accompany the designated support person for the mother’s hospital stay. Hospitals may allow additional support individuals if the hospital has determined that sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available.”

This was excellent news for expectant and laboring parents in New Jersey. New York offered a similar statement, protecting the support of doula care.

Other areas did not release similar orders. This means in many cases local government and individual hospitals can decide who can attend a birth. Doulas cannot go to some hospitals, including at least one in Pennsylvania.

What Restrictions Are In Place For Hospitals Which Allow Doulas?

Every hospital, state, and local government varies. It’s important to learn the specific restrictions for any hospital you might attend a birth at. These regulations have also changed throughout the pandemic. It’s important for you and your client to check up-to-date information as their due date approaches.

In some hospitals restrictions include:

Proof of doula training and/or certification
Client must have a negative rapid covid-19 test before you can join them
Self-provided and appropriate PPE gear, at minimum a face mask/covering
Pass a covid-19 screening including no fever, cough, sore throat, etc.
The local health dept has not instructed you to quarantine in the last 14 days
Follow all guidelines and rules set forth by the specific hospital for distancing
Not leave the room and re-enter

Each facility may have different guidelines which change often. It’s important to seek information from the right person at the hospital. Each employee may not be abreast of new changes and guidelines.

What If My Clients Hospital Doesn’t Allow Doulas?

Unfortunately, not all facilities allow doulas in at this time. We’re facing an unprecedented pandemic and each facility is trying to keep everyone safe with limited understanding of this virus.

If your client’s hospital does not allow doulas, they essentially have three options:

Choose to give birth at another facility
Utilize virtual doula care
Have in-person care while laboring at home followed by virtual care in the hospital as desired

None of these situations are ideal for a parent. Parents initially made an informed decision to give birth where they felt most comfortable. With different guidelines at different facilities, some parents may opt to make a last minute change to another facility.

Most parents won’t choose to change facilities. However, some may opt for more prenatal and postpartum support, as well as virtual support during birth.

Be sure to read Providing Virtual Doula Support to learn more about supporting your clients during this unusual time.

Unfortunately, there’s no hard and fast answer to whether doulas are allowed in hospitals at this time. The good news, many facilities are allowing doulas and these unprecedented times showcase the valuable work doulas perform.

What Is The International Doula Institute?

November 3, 2020

The first step in becoming a doula is choosing the right doula training for you. So, what is the International Doula Institute?

The International Doula Institute (IDI) is a comprehensive, international professional training organization. While IDI isn’t the only online doula training, it offers a level of training up-to-date with modern technology and evidence.

Experienced professional doulas created IDI. As well as skilled maternity care professionals, such as physicians and nurses. If you’re searching for information about IDI, we know you’re looking to turn your passion into a career. We’d like to share with you what sets us apart.

What is the International Doula Institute?

A Training Founded By An Experienced Professional Doula

There’s nothing more challenging than getting through a training that clearly wasn’t designed by someone with hands on experience. The founder and director of IDI knows the importance of true doula experience.

Aliza Bancoff is the Founder and Director of International Doula Institute. She began developing this program after many years as the director of Main Line Doulas, a unique doula practice working with only the most elite doulas located just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Aliza wasn’t a fan of the status quo and knew doula trainings could provide a more comprehensive, experiential, and flexible experience. This lead to the founding of IDI. A unique training program which prides itself in providing the most comprehensive doula trainings.

A Collaborative Curriculum Written By Doula, Medical, And Birth Professionals

Part of breaking the status quo in doula trainings is ensuring our curriculum is well developed. Aliza ensured this by creating a collaborative interprofessional curriculum.

Our curriculum contributors include but are not limited to:

Meghan Massaro, Registered Dietitian RD LDN
Glenn Kaplan, MD Chief of Neonatology at Main Line Health
Carly Goldberg, PhD Women’s Wellness
Julie Cristol, Certified Nurse Midwife
Marsha Sims, Author and Professional Organizer
Kelly Gibson, Certified Postpartum Doula
Debbie Donohue, Registered Nurse and Certified Postpartum Doula

In addition to those above, we also use certified childbirth educators, professional birth writers, child/infant development professionals, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), and more.

Collaborating with a variety of birth professionals equals a truly comprehensive training. Part of being a doula isn’t simply understanding your own role but the role of everyone involved in the birth team. Understanding each role and every perspective, and process, of birth makes it possible for you to provide excellent support and education for your clients.

IDI’s unique curriculum ensures you’re ready to support clients as soon as you complete your training. It also equips you to work with birthing women in all types of births and facilities. From a homebirth or birth center birth without medication, to a schedule induction or c-section, you will have all the skills needed to support a birthing woman.

What Is The International Doula Institute? The Most Comprehensive And Flexible Online Doula Training

At IDI, the goal is to provide access to comprehensive doula training regardless of where you live and what your schedule is like. IDI is designed to work for you whether you’re a new mother squeezing training in the evening, a student focusing hard to complete the training quickly, or a professional working on it when you find the time (or all three!) as you choose your own pace.

In the past, doula students would often have to travel to larger city or metro area in order to attend a doula training workshop. For people in rural communities, those with busy schedules, or people in an area where doula work isn’t yet common, travel was often a barrier.

With IDI, regardless of your location, there’s no travel expenses, hotels, meals, etc., required to complete this comprehensive doula training. You can complete your training at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home from a small midwestern town to the Australian outback.

You also have the ability to connect with doulas all over the world. You’ll be able to learn about birth in a variety of countries and cultures. Many connect with doulas local to them as well. The international Doula Institute is a doula training program that truly supports birth workers all over the world.

There are many doula trainings, but there’s only one International Doula Institute providing comprehensive and flexible online training. Register now!

Become A Doula – Benefits of Online Doula Training

October 30, 2020

You can become a doula with online doula training and turn your passion into a career. The first step to becoming a doula is choosing your training. With many organizations, workshops, online programs, etc., how do you choose the right doula program?

One of the most important factors is choosing an up-to-date comprehensive program. Choosing an online doula training, like ours at the International Doula Institute, ensures you’re learning the latest in pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

Online learning has always had many benefits. However, since 2020’s unexpected social distancing and safety measures, the benefits of online learning are even more noticeable.

You can turn your passion into a career in the comfort of your own home, in a safe environment, and learn all the skills you need to support your future clients.

Here are more benefits of online doula training:

#1: Online Doula Training Supports All Learning Styles

By adulthood, many of us become familiar with how we learn best. With IDI’s online training we’re able to accommodate every learning style.

Whether you’re a kinesthetic learning who needs hands on practice, an auditory learner, or a visual learner, our multimedia training will work for you. From videos with audio and subtitles to position practicing, you will have a truly experiential learning experience.

With access to everything online, you can take time to go back and review previous lessons. This is an advantage over in person trainings where if you’ve missed or forgotten something you might struggle to find the information again.

#2: Access To Comprehensive Up-To-Date Information

Gone are the days of outdated workbooks and curriculums. With online programs we’re able to easily update all our curriculum as often as needed. A new peer reviewed, evidenced-based study comes out about the second stage of labor? Perfect, we can easily update our curriculum to reflect the new information.

One of the most important things doulas need to do is stay current with guidelines. We serve our clients best when we can help support them in informed decisions making about their birth. Not only will your training be up-to-date, we model and show you how to continually educate yourself about potential evidence changes in the birth community.

#3: Online Doula Training Allows You To Work At Your Own Pace

People of all backgrounds and stages of life have a passion for birth and pursue becoming a doula. Online training makes it possible for people with all types of schedules to pursue a new career.

Whether you’re a college student, busy mother, or climbing the cooperate ladder (or all three!) our flexible training allows you to work at your own pace. Some students go all in and finish the training in six weeks. Others fit their training in during their toddler’s naptime, evenings after work, or whenever they have time without rushing for several months.

Working at your own pace means adding doula training to your schedule doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you plan to knock it out quickly, or squeeze it in between your busy life, doula training online can work for you.

#4: Access To Doula Trainers, Mentors, And Fellow Students

With in person training, most have access to their trainer and five to ten peers. While there’s a lovely in person comradery, there’s a limited network.

With online doula training, you have access to multiple doula trainers, mentors, and thousands of students. In addition to the many students in your learning cohort, IDI students have access to a large international student group online.

This allows you to network internationally and learn about birth from a global perspective. It also allows you to network locally, creating more opportunity to grow your future doula practice. Learn from your peers and benefit from the guidance of more experienced doula mentors, a huge benefit of online doula training.

#5: Online Doula Training Curriculum Is Developed By Many Birth Professionals

While most doula trainings are developed by multiple professionals, IDI takes their training a step further. Their training isn’t developed with only doulas an ob/gyn or midwife.

IDI’s large reach allows them to work with:

Doulas
Midwifes
Physicians
Nurses
Lactation Consultants
Childbirth Educators
Nutritionists

As an online program, IDI has the ability to reach a high number of qualified professionals to ensure the training is evidenced based and peer reviewed. With online doula training you’re able to learn from top professionals who you may not otherwise have access to.

Being able to turn your passion into a career is a unique opportunity. Being able to do so at your own pace while learning from top professionals are amazing benefits of online doula trainings. Beginning a new career can feel intimidating, but with IDI you have support from registration and beyond.

Ready to get started? You can register today!

Childbirth And Doulas – What You Need To Know

September 24, 2020

It seems obvious, but doulas need to be up to date with childbirth information, evidence, and current best practice information. At the International Doula Institute, our training and ongoing support ensures doulas stay up to date.

During our comprehensive doula trainings, you’ll have extensive knowledge and understanding of normal physiological childbirth. With that understanding you’ll be able to provide top level support to your doula clients.

Childbirth is a vital part of doula training as well as continuing education for doulas. If you’re a parent to-be, understanding childbirth is an important part of prenatal education.

Here are the top things you need to know about childbirth:

#1: Childbirth Is A Normal Physiological Process

Childbirth is a normal bodily function. It’s as natural and normal as so many functions such as breathing and even using the bathroom. While not identically comparable, these are things which happen with little thought, and they include some involuntary actions.

We don’t sit and think about our food digestion. It simply digests. Then we go to the bathroom upon feeling cues.

As with any normal physiological process, occasionally we need some support, intervention or other things to make things go smoothly. However, this is typically the exception rather than the rule.

Learning about normal physiological childbirth helps doulas and parents understand informed decision making. No intervention is inherently good or bad, simply we need information to make the right decision for ourselves in each circumstance.

The more you understand about normal physiological birth, the easier it is to make informed decisions about childbirth.

For doulas, this knowledge helps you educate and support clients. For parents, this knowledge helps you make informed decisions. It also helps you be an active participant in your birth experience. Knowledge is truly power!

#2: Childbirth Isn’t Always A One-Day Process

What we see in the media is often a huge gush of fluid from one’s water breaking and a rush to the hospital to push just in time. With most births, labor gradually begins. Often it begins with slight cervical changes, hormonal fluctuations, then gentle and gradually increasing to intense contractions.

In fact, only 10% of births begin with the water breaking. As a doula, understanding the end of pregnancy and early labor is vital for supporting your clients. For parents, understanding the birth process helps you feel confident as your body prepares for labor.

A comprehensive childbirth class is excellent for parents. Working with a birth doula also provides that ongoing support when childbirth spans more than just a few hours.

Part of IDI’s doula certification process is observing a childbirth education class. This is just one way we ensure our doulas have up-to-date understanding of childbirth.

As a seasoned doula, it can also be helpful to observe a class every couple years to keep up with trends in labor. While normal physiological labor doesn’t really change, different policies, best practice and evidence does change over the years.

#3: Doulas And Childbirth – Making Informed Decisions

As a doula, you do not make decisions for your clients. However, when you have a solid understanding of childbirth, you can help your client’s make informed decisions.

A helpful childbirth acronym for doulas and parents alike is:

Benefit – What’s the benefit for me? What’s the benefit for baby?
Risk – What’s the risk for me? What’s the risk for baby?
Alternatives – What alternatives exist?
Intuition – What is my gut feeling?
Nothing – What happens if we do nothing? For five minutes? A few hours? A few days?

The acronym is BRAIN. It’s a helpful tool for doulas to teach their clients. It’s a wonderful tool for parents to use to make informed decisions while opening the dialogue with their midwife or doctor.

BRAIN can be used to discuss induction, augmentation, prenatal testing and more. It’s a great way to open dialogue. It’s also something a doula and client can use to role play to build a client’s confidence in discussing birth options with their providers.

#4: Doulas Support All Types Of Childbirth

Understanding normal physiological labor is an important part of doula training. It’s also important so parents can make informed decisions.

However, as with all bodily processes, occasionally the need or desire for medical support arises. That is why doulas who train with the International Doula Institute learn about all types of births so they can support their clients regardless of how births unfold.

For clients, even if you need or desire a medical or surgical birth, doula care can be a vital part of making it a positive birthing experience. Whether an induction of labor, use of pain meds, or a c-section, doulas provide support for all types of birth.

Taking a comprehensive childbirth class and working with a doula is a great way to have a positive birth regardless of how things unfold.

#5: Childbirth Norms Vary In Different Cultures, Regions and More

While normal physiological birth is a bodily process, the approach can vary significantly in different places. It can even vary between different midwives, doctors, nurses and more.

As a doula, understanding common policies and approaches to childbirth in your area can be an important part of preparing to support your clients.

For parents, understanding, childbirth norms in your area can help you make an informed decision about your birthing facility, care provider and more. Working with a doula can help you navigate the different approaches to childbirth in your area. They can also help you work towards a birth you desire even if it deviates from norms in your area.

Understanding the birth culture in your region helps prepare parents and ensures a doula is equipped to support her clients. Throughout IDI’s comprehensive training you’ll learn about birth in different regions as well as learn how to navigate the norms in your region.

Childbirth And Doulas Simply Go Together

Doulas are a central part to the birth process. While not used by every birthing person, evidence shows doulas improve maternal outcomes.

Birth doulas are known to:

Increase the likelihood of reporting a positive birth experience
Reduce the likelihood of medicinal pain relief
Lower the chance of an unnecessary c-section (not to be confused with a medically necessary one)
Improve breastfeeding initiation and ongoing breastfeeding rates

Doulas who understand childbirth and stay up to date with evidenced based support can provide exceptional care to their community.

Whether you’re a doula searching for a training program, or a parent wondering if you should hire a doula, it’s clear doulas go with childbirth! Understanding childbirth is such an important part of the birth process, whether you’re the birthing person or the doula.

You can trust the curriculum and published blogs from IDI will always be evidenced based. We value childbirth education and support to help improve birth outcomes, including reporting a positive birth experience.

Birth matters. Support matters. We’re here for doula and for parents.

If you’re interested in becoming a doula, you can register today to get started. Our comprehensive online training will ensure you have a full understanding of normal physiological childbirth as well as all types of birth. Turn your passion for childbirth into an opportunity to learn more and support families in your community.

To learn more, be sure to read about our Birth Doula Certification Program.

Doula Training Near Me – Online Doula Training Right In Your Home!

September 23, 2020

Becoming a doula means turning a passion into a career. Once you’re ready to take the leap, the first step is finding a doula training near you. You’ve likely search “doula training near me” hoping to find the next perfect training workshop.

However, what if you could get top quality training from the comfort of your own home? At the International Doula Institute, you can complete your doula training with top professionals including physicians, midwives, nurses, and of course, doula trainers.

Best of all, it’s designed to fit into your busy schedule. You can get a top comprehensive and interactive training without having to travel.

What Is Online Doula Training?

The once popular weekend workshop still has its pros, but with the advancement of technology, online training is growing in popularity.

Online doula training allows you to get all the information you’d learn at a workshop in the comfort of your own home. It also includes ongoing interactive support as you complete your reading and research requirements. Most weekend workshops do not offer this ongoing support.

With online doula training, you’re able to find a doula training near you without searching different organizations and schedules. Best of all, you get ongoing peer support that lasts beyond a 3-day workshop.

The International Doula Institute offers peer and professional support in an online student group. Your learning groups also allow you to engage in conversation with fellow students working at the same pace you are.

Is There A Doula Training Near Me Year-Round?

One of the most amazing things about online doula training is the ability to start as soon as you’re ready. Many workshops book out weeks and months in advance. It makes it difficult to squeeze into your already busy work schedule and lifestyle.

With IDI’s comprehensive online training, you’re able to begin your doula training whenever you’re ready. We begin new learning groups monthly, allowing you to begin and work at your own pace – with lots of peer support!

We know the excitement of a workshop and getting to spend a few days with like minded individuals. However, with today’s busy lifestyle, travel difficulties, and even current Covid-19 restrictions, online training means nothing stands in your way.

In fact, our trainings are quite popular with new moms who are ready to become doulas but find in-person workshops challenging with a new baby. We also have a perfect self-paced program for busy professionals such as nurses, teachers, and more.

No matter your professional background, parent status or schedule, online doula training is always available.

Is There A Doula Near Me For Support?

When you’re jumping into a new career it can feel overwhelming to choose a career that’s frequently independent. Who do you learn from? How do you find support?

How do you find a doula near you? With the online support provided by the International Doula Institute, you’re almost guaranteed to find someone in your region. And best of all, you needn’t find someone in your same city to get support.

Our seasoned doulas, advanced students and doula trainers are all available to support you during your online doula training.

Will I Build A Better Network Going To A Doula Training Near Me?

A lot of doula work happens through initial networking. It’s easy to assume it’s important to go to a workshop in your area in order to network with others. However, that’s rarely the case because:

Many trainers travel
Workshop attendees are often from other cities and states
Only brief connections are usually made
There’s not a whole lot of time to socialize

Getting to know other doulas in our online support group is a wonderful way to network. Rather than meeting just 5-10 new doulas, you’ll be in a group with thousands! The ability to network in a large group means making connections all over.

This is especially wonderful if you’re someone who might move throughout your doula career. Military spouse? No problem. If you end up in a new city you might already know fellow doulas in the area.

There are great things about in-person workshops but with IDI you’re able to quickly network with doulas all over the world. It isn’t uncommon for a doula to search for a fellow doula in another city for her sister, cousin or friend. Being in a large group allows you to help other doulas support parents all over the world.

What Are The Benefits Of An Online Doula Training?

It can be difficult to navigate all your training options. After all, you’re hoping to turn your passion into a career! Definitely not a time to settle.

An online doula training has many benefits. For instance, rather than being exposed to just one doula trainer, you’re accessing lessons from other professionals, even physicians!

Other benefits include:

The ability to start when you’re ready
Work at your own pace
Have ongoing peer support
Access to doula trainers well beyond just a 3-day workshop
You can go back and review lessons
This multimedia training is designed for all learning styles from audio, to visual and even tactile learning and more
A variety of assignments can help you find your strengths and weaknesses and help you develop into a truly skilled doula
Fit doula training into your work schedule, kids’ schedules, partner schedule, etc.
Network with doulas from around the world
Access to curriculum designers to ask questions, get clarification and more
Learn about birth culture all over the world to help you become a well-rounded doula
Gain an internationally recognized certification through the International Doula Institute

As you can see, there are significant benefits to online doula training. While it isn’t an in-person “doula training near me” search result, online doula training is right inside your own home! I don’t think you can get any closer to your region than your very own living room.

Postpartum Doula Training Online

At the International Doula Institute, we provide both birth and postpartum doula trainings. Both programs are designed by skilled doulas, nurses, nutritionists, lactation professionals and even physicians. We ensure both doula programs incorporate up-to-date evidenced based information as well as understanding traditions behind birth and postpartum care.

While our birth and postpartum curriculums vary based on specific learning objectives, both are equally designed to provide the best trainings available.

An in-person postpartum doula training allows for some discussion and hands on support. However, much of postpartum care is learning about normal physiological changes for both mother and baby. It’s also learning how to provide non-judgmental and practical support.

With an online training, you’ll be able to discuss and learn in-depth knowledge about physiological changes, maternal mental health and how to support newborns. With our online peer support, you’re able to ask and discuss these topics with fellow doula students and seasoned doulas alike.

It’s important to be able to take your time to process all the information you learn. With our comprehensive training, you not only learn about doula care, you learn how to apply it to your doula business. It’s one thing to understand physiological changes, but it’s vital to learn how to use that information to best support your clients.

Is It Better To Go To A Doula Workshop or An Online Training?

There are pros and cons to every doula training. However, the biggest perk to choosing IDI’s online training program is quality.

With our multimedia and comprehensive training, you leave your training completely qualified to support doula clients. With expert guidance and peer support, not only are you qualified, you can be confident in starting your doula practice.

It’s rare we can turn a passion into a viable career but with our doula training we help make that possible for you. Regardless of where you live, your work schedule and your home life, our programs are designed to work for you.

Whether you want to become a birth doula, postpartum doula, or both, our online doula training will prepare you. Attending a doula workshop is fun, but it won’t necessarily mean you’re ready to dive into doula support. With a comprehensive reading list and interactive curriculum, you will truly feel prepared to support your future clients.

Ready to get started? Don’t hesitate. We are here to help you transition from passion to career. From birth doula to postpartum and more, IDI is here for all your training needs. Register now!