The Village Doula Certification
Welcome to The Village Doula Collective’s Certification Course!
Congratulations on taking the first step toward becoming a doula! Whether you’re here to start a new career, deepen your knowledge, or expand your skills in birth work, I’m so excited to have you as part of this journey.
This course was created with a deep commitment to accessibility, cultural competence, and community-centered care. As doulas, we hold space for families during some of the most transformative moments of their lives. That is a privilege—and a responsibility. My goal is to ensure that you leave this course feeling confident, informed, and ready to provide exceptional support to all birthing people, regardless of their background, birth choices, or circumstances.
The Village Doula Collective Doula Certification Course is a flexible, self-paced online program designed for individuals pursuing a career as a doula. The course provides comprehensive training, covering the full spectrum of birth and postpartum support.
Course Structure
Modules: The course is divided into easy-to-follow modules, each focusing on different aspects of doula work, such as childbirth, postpartum care, lactation support, and more.
Self-Paced Learning: Students have the flexibility to progress through the materials at their own pace, allowing for a personalized learning experience.
Bi-Weekly Live Q&A Sessions: Trainees can join a Q&A session every other week to ask questions or receive feedback.
Practical Assignments: The course includes assignments that help students gain hands-on experience and prepare them for real-world client interactions.
Ongoing Support: Students can reach out to other doulas in the collective for guidance and support throughout their training process.
Access to The Collective Community: A member site you will receive access to immediately upon starting the course. It is a place you’ll find more resources, community discussions, and continuing education opportunities designed to support you every step of the way.
Student Time Commitment Overview
This certification course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in birth and postpartum doula work while recognizing the busy lives of students and families. Below is an outline of the estimated time commitment so you can plan accordingly.
🎥 Lecture Time
Total Recorded Lectures: ~5.5 hours
Most students complete this within 1–2 weeks if watching 30–60 minutes per day.
📖 Readings & Supplemental Videos
Estimated Time: 6–10 hours
Includes textbook chapters, articles, and videos provided with each module.
📝 Assignments & Quizzes
Estimated Time: 12–16 hours
Short reflections and essays (30–45 minutes each)
Knowledge-check quizzes (15–20 minutes each)
Applied assignments such as resource lists, visit outlines, and business planning (1–2 hours each)
⏱️ Total Coursework (Before Practicum)
~23–32 hours
Equivalent to a 3–4 day intensive, or 4–6 weeks of part-time study (depending on pace).
👶 Practicum Requirements (After Coursework)
To complete certification, you must also:Attend and support 3 births (home, birth center, or hospital)
Submit birth reflections
Submit client evaluations
Complete a final self-evaluation
Practicum timing varies depending on when you find clients or volunteer opportunities.
Recertification Policy
Certified doulas through The Village Doula Collective are required to renew their certification every three years. Recertification ensures that doulas maintain current knowledge, uphold professional standards, and continue providing high quality support to birthing families.
Renewal Requirements
To maintain an active certification, doulas must complete the following within each three year cycle:
Continuing Education
Ten hours of birth or postpartum related continuing education. This may include workshops, webinars, professional trainings, peer review meetings, or approved independent study.Proof of Ongoing Practice
Evidence of continued doula work. Doulas may submit either documentation of attendance at three births or a brief portfolio showing postpartum or community based doula support.Ethics and Scope Review
A short online review of The Village Doula Collective’s ethics and scope of practice, completed during the renewal process.Renewal Application and Fee
Submission of the recertification application along with a $75.00 renewal fee.Lapsed Certification
If recertification is not completed before the expiration date, certification becomes inactive. Inactive doulas may not present themselves as certified through The Village Doula Collective. Certification may be reinstated within twelve months by completing all renewal requirements and paying a $25 reinstatement fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. After twelve months, the doula must repeat the certification course to regain status.
Commitment to Accessibility
The Village Doula Collective is committed to supporting doulas in the renewal process. Extensions or accommodations may be offered on a case by case basis. Requests must be submitted prior to the expiration date.
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The Scope of Practice and The History of Doula Work
In this lesson, you will learn about the scope of doula work and its history. We will explore the various roles and responsibilities that doulas undertake to support birthing individuals, as well as the evolution of doula care throughout the years. Understanding this background will provide a foundation for appreciating the significance and impact of doulas in maternal and family health.
In this lesson, you will learn about the scope of doula work and its history. We will explore the various roles and responsibilities that doulas undertake to support birthing individuals, as well as the evolution of doula care throughout the years. Understanding this background will provide a foundation for appreciating the significance and impact of doulas in maternal and family health.
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Module 1 Summary
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The Physiological Process of Birth and a Doula's Role
Learn about the physiological process of birth, stages of labor, and how a doula can support birthing people through the experience.
Learn about the physiological process of birth, stages of labor, and how a doula can support birthing people through the experience.
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Advocacy, Communication, and Professionalism in Doula Work
The lesson on Advocacy, Communication, and Professionalism in Doula Work emphasizes the importance of supporting and empowering clients through clear, respectful communication. It highlights the doula’s role as an advocate for the birthing person’s wishes and needs while maintaining professional boundaries. Effective communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and ethical behavior are crucial for building trust and fostering positive relationships with clients and healthcare providers.
The lesson on Advocacy, Communication, and Professionalism in Doula Work emphasizes the importance of supporting and empowering clients through clear, respectful communication. It highlights the doula’s role as an advocate for the birthing person’s wishes and needs while maintaining professional boundaries. Effective communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and ethical behavior are crucial for building trust and fostering positive relationships with clients and healthcare providers.
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Comfort Measures and Pain Management Techniques
Comfort Measures and Pain Management Techniques in doula work focus on supporting birthing individuals through physical and emotional strategies that ease labor discomfort. Key techniques include massage, position changes, breathing exercises, hydrotherapy, and use of heat or cold. Doulas also provide continuous emotional support, encouragement, and advocacy, helping clients navigate pain relief options while respecting their birth plan and preferences.
Comfort Measures and Pain Management Techniques in doula work focus on supporting birthing individuals through physical and emotional strategies that ease labor discomfort. Key techniques include massage, position changes, breathing exercises, hydrotherapy, and use of heat or cold. Doulas also provide continuous emotional support, encouragement, and advocacy, helping clients navigate pain relief options while respecting their birth plan and preferences.
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The Doula's Role In The Postpartum and Recovery Period
This lesson covers how doulas assist with physical recovery by offering comfort measures, monitoring emotional well-being, and helping manage common postpartum challenges such as pain, fatigue, and breastfeeding difficulties. The lesson emphasizes the importance of emotional support, education about newborn care, and facilitating connections to additional resources.
This lesson covers how doulas assist with physical recovery by offering comfort measures, monitoring emotional well-being, and helping manage common postpartum challenges such as pain, fatigue, and breastfeeding difficulties. The lesson emphasizes the importance of emotional support, education about newborn care, and facilitating connections to additional resources.
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Building and Sustaining Your Doula Business
Networking is vital for doulas, boosting professional growth, referrals, and support. Clients gain access to more resources and personalized care. Communities benefit from stronger birth professional connections, awareness, and collaborative care, improving maternal and infant health. Overall, networking fosters a supportive environment for doulas, clients, and communities.
Networking is vital for doulas, boosting professional growth, referrals, and support. Clients gain access to more resources and personalized care. Communities benefit from stronger birth professional connections, awareness, and collaborative care, improving maternal and infant health. Overall, networking fosters a supportive environment for doulas, clients, and communities.
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A Doula's Role in Addressing Systemic Racism and Bias in Birthwork
Doulas address systemic racism and bias in birthwork by advocating for equitable, culturally competent care. They recognize disparities affecting marginalized communities, listen to clients, educate themselves on inequalities, and create inclusive environments. Partnering with clients and providers, doulas amplify voices, promote informed choices, and support bodily autonomy, helping dismantle biases and improve maternal health outcomes.
Doulas address systemic racism and bias in birthwork by advocating for equitable, culturally competent care. They recognize disparities affecting marginalized communities, listen to clients, educate themselves on inequalities, and create inclusive environments. Partnering with clients and providers, doulas amplify voices, promote informed choices, and support bodily autonomy, helping dismantle biases and improve maternal health outcomes.
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Supporting Diverse Populations
The lesson on a doula’s role stresses cultural humility, empathy, and personalized care. Doulas must understand and respect clients' diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and needs. Key duties include communication, advocacy, and fostering an inclusive environment that honors client values. Ongoing education and self-reflection help address biases and ensure equitable, respectful care for all during childbirth.
The lesson on a doula’s role stresses cultural humility, empathy, and personalized care. Doulas must understand and respect clients' diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and needs. Key duties include communication, advocacy, and fostering an inclusive environment that honors client values. Ongoing education and self-reflection help address biases and ensure equitable, respectful care for all during childbirth.
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Ethics and Professionalism In Doula Work
This lesson covers key ethical principles for doulas, including client confidentiality, informed consent, respect for autonomy and culture, clear boundaries, and avoiding conflicts of interest. It highlights unbiased support, ongoing education, honest communication, and collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure client safety and trust throughout childbirth.
This lesson covers key ethical principles for doulas, including client confidentiality, informed consent, respect for autonomy and culture, clear boundaries, and avoiding conflicts of interest. It highlights unbiased support, ongoing education, honest communication, and collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure client safety and trust throughout childbirth.
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Supporting Cesarean Births (C-Sections) and Vaginal Birth After Cesareans (VBACs)
This module covers key knowledge and skills for doulas supporting cesarean births (C-sections) and vaginal birth after cesareans (VBACs). It includes medical reasons, types of cesareans, recovery, and tailored emotional and physical support. For VBACs, it covers eligibility, risks, benefits, and informed support respecting client autonomy and collaboration with providers. The focus is on evidence-based, compassionate care for positive birth experiences, regardless of delivery method.
This module covers key knowledge and skills for doulas supporting cesarean births (C-sections) and vaginal birth after cesareans (VBACs). It includes medical reasons, types of cesareans, recovery, and tailored emotional and physical support. For VBACs, it covers eligibility, risks, benefits, and informed support respecting client autonomy and collaboration with providers. The focus is on evidence-based, compassionate care for positive birth experiences, regardless of delivery method.
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Doula Visit Structure
This lesson on Doula Visit Structure outlines the key components and flow of effective client visits. It covers preparation, establishing rapport, assessing client needs, providing relevant information and emotional support, documenting the visit, and planning next steps. Emphasis is placed on clear communication, active listening, and building trust to foster a positive client-doula relationship throughout the pregnancy and birth journey.
This lesson on Doula Visit Structure outlines the key components and flow of effective client visits. It covers preparation, establishing rapport, assessing client needs, providing relevant information and emotional support, documenting the visit, and planning next steps. Emphasis is placed on clear communication, active listening, and building trust to foster a positive client-doula relationship throughout the pregnancy and birth journey.
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Course Completion and Next Steps!
The final lesson summarizes your doula training, reviews key skills, and guides you through certification completion. It covers documentation submission, preparation to start your practice, and maintaining certification. Resources for continuing education, professional growth, and career building are provided, emphasizing ongoing learning, networking, and community engagement for success.
The final lesson summarizes your doula training, reviews key skills, and guides you through certification completion. It covers documentation submission, preparation to start your practice, and maintaining certification. Resources for continuing education, professional growth, and career building are provided, emphasizing ongoing learning, networking, and community engagement for success.
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