Doula Education Wherever You Live
The International Doula Institute provides comprehensive, online doula education to students around the world. We offer online doula training worldwide!
IDI students and Certified Doulas have come from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, India, China, countries throughout Europe, and beyond. Because all IDI programs are offered online, students can access our education from virtually anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
Whether you’re looking for doula training in the United States, exploring how to become a doula in Canada, or searching for an online doula certification program you can complete internationally, IDI’s flexible format allows you to learn from wherever you call home.
100% Online, Self-Paced Doula Training
Regardless of where you live, you shouldn’t have to travel to obtain comprehensive doula education.
The International Doula Institute programs are:
- 100% online
- Self-paced
- Accessible from anywhere with internet access
- Designed to accommodate different schedules and time zones
- Supported by experienced educators and trainers
- Available to students with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences
Students can work through their coursework on a schedule that fits their lives rather than attending regularly scheduled in-person classes.
We also offer multiple areas of perinatal education through one institution, allowing students to begin with doula certification and continue expanding their knowledge in areas such as postpartum support, childbirth education, breastfeeding counseling, advanced lactation, perinatal nutrition, prenatal yoga, and more.
Doula Training in the United States
IDI serves students throughout the United States, from large metropolitan areas to communities where local doula training options may be limited.
Doula requirements in the United States can vary depending on state, employer, hospital, agency, insurance or Medicaid program. There is not one universal national training requirement that applies to every doula working in every setting. ACOG notes that Medicaid doula coverage has expanded to nearly half of U.S. states, but states have differing processes and certification requirements.
For example, a state Medicaid doula program may require specific training, supplemental education, enrollment or credentialing beyond a doula’s underlying certification. New Jersey’s FamilyCare program is one example of a state program with its own approved training and supplemental competency requirements.
Students who plan to participate in a specific state-funded program, hospital program or agency should always check that organization’s current requirements. We are a preapproved training in dozens of US states.
Looking for doula training in the United States? Our online format allows students to complete their education from home while preparing to support families in their communities.
Doula Training in Canada
IDI’s online programs are also accessible to students throughout Canada.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, doula work is not currently a regulated occupation in Canada at the national level. However, individual employers, organizations or programs may establish their own education or experience requirements.
Online training can be particularly useful for Canadian students who don’t live near an in-person doula training program or who need to fit their education around work and family responsibilities.
Because requirements and opportunities may differ by province, organization and setting, Canadian students should research any local requirements that apply to the way they intend to offer doula services.
Doula Training in the United Kingdom
Students in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can also access IDI’s online education.
It is especially important in the UK to understand the distinction between the roles of a doula and a midwife. Doulas are not regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, while midwifery is a regulated healthcare profession with protected functions.
A doula provides non-medical support and does not replace a registered midwife or other healthcare provider.
The UK’s doula community also includes organizations such as Doula UK, which maintains its own approved-course, membership and mentoring structures. Students who intend to join a particular doula organization after completing their education should review that organization’s current requirements independently.
Doula Training in Australia & New Zealand
IDI’s online format makes doula education accessible to students throughout Australia and New Zealand without requiring travel to the United States.
Students can complete coursework from home and incorporate their education around work, parenting and other commitments.
As with any international location, students should independently investigate local requirements, association membership criteria, insurance considerations and any rules that may apply to the specific services they plan to offer.
Doula Training in India & Across Asia
IDI has served students in India, China and other parts of Asia.
Online education provides an opportunity to access comprehensive doula training regardless of proximity to an in-person training organization.
At the same time, pregnancy, birth and postpartum care can look very different across countries and cultures. Students should understand the healthcare systems, customs, laws and scope expectations that apply where they live and work.
IDI’s education provides a foundation in doula support, while students bring that knowledge into the context of the families and communities they serve.
Doula Training in Europe
Students throughout Europe can access IDI’s programs online.
Because European countries have different healthcare systems and approaches to maternity care, there is no single set of requirements that can accurately describe doula work across all of Europe.
Students should research the requirements, insurance considerations, local doula organizations and maternity-care environment within their own country.
The flexibility of online education allows students to complete their foundational training while remaining connected to their local community and healthcare environment.
Doula Training in South Africa and Across Africa
IDI has also served students in South Africa and welcomes students from countries throughout Africa.
Online doula education can make training more accessible when local in-person options are unavailable or difficult to reach.
As in other regions, students should research any local laws, organizational requirements, healthcare policies or insurance considerations that apply to providing doula services in their community.
Doula Training in Central & South America
IDI has trained students in Brazil and serves students internationally, including those throughout Central and South America.
Students can access coursework online without traveling to the United States, allowing them to complete their education within their own communities.
Local maternity systems, doula organizations and expectations vary considerably between countries, so students should research the specific requirements and opportunities within the country where they intend to provide services.
Is IDI Certification Valid in My Country?
This is an important question—and the answer depends on what you mean by “valid.”
IDI provides certification through International Doula Institute. However, doula regulation, recognition, employment requirements, insurance requirements and eligibility for public reimbursement programs can vary significantly by country, state, province, healthcare system and organization.
Completing IDI certification should therefore not be interpreted as automatically satisfying every governmental, employer, hospital, association or insurance requirement worldwide.
Before enrolling, students who need certification for a specific purpose should check the requirements of the organization or jurisdiction they intend to work with.
This is particularly important if you plan to:
- Participate in a government-funded doula program
- Seek reimbursement through Medicaid or another public program
- Join a specific national or regional doula association
- Work for a particular hospital or healthcare organization
- Join a doula agency
- Obtain insurance that requires specific credentials
IDI can provide your doula education and certification. Your local requirements determine what, if anything, you may need in addition to that education.
Supporting Families Across Cultures and Communities
Being an international organization means recognizing that there isn’t one universal birth experience.
Healthcare systems differ. Cultural traditions differ. Family structures differ. Expectations surrounding pregnancy, labor, infant feeding and postpartum support differ.
Strong doula support requires more than memorizing a particular model of birth. It requires learning how to listen, communicate, respect individual preferences, understand scope of practice and support families within the communities and healthcare systems where they live.
IDI’s goal is to provide students with a strong educational foundation they can carry into that work.
International Students Are Part of the IDI Community
Distance doesn’t have to be a barrier to becoming a doula.
Whether you’re studying from Pennsylvania, California, Toronto, London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Mumbai, São Paulo—or somewhere entirely different, IDI’s online format allows you to access your coursework from wherever you live.
You can begin with Birth Doula Certification or explore IDI’s additional programs to develop complementary knowledge and skills across pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, infant feeding and family support.
Ready to Begin Your Doula Training?
If you’re ready to take the first step, explore International Doula Institute’s online Birth Doula Certification Program and learn more about the curriculum, certification requirements and flexible training format.