What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who offers emotional, physical, and educational support to families during pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period. Unlike medical providers, doulas don’t perform clinical tasks, their role is to walk alongside families, creating a sense of calm, confidence, and empowerment through one of life’s most transformative experiences.
At the Doula Educational Institute (DEI), we believe doulas are not just helpers, but guides, advocates, and companions. They nurture families, share evidence-based knowledge, and ensure no parent feels alone in their journey.
What Does a Doula Do?
Doulas serve in three key areas: birth, postpartum, and sibling support. Each role is designed to meet families where they are, providing personalized care and attention every step of the way.
Birth Doula Support
A birth doula provides continuous support throughout labor, offering comfort measures like breathing exercises, positioning, massage, and reassurance. This support empowers families, making the labor experience more positive and less stressful.
How DEI Prepares You: At DEI, we train you in evidence-based birth practices, comfort techniques, and communication skills to provide compassionate and empowering support to families. You’ll learn how to adapt to each family’s needs and provide both physical and emotional support to help them achieve a positive birth experience.
Postpartum Doula Support
After the baby arrives, postpartum doulas assist families with newborn care, breastfeeding, sleep routines, emotional support, and light household tasks. This role is crucial for ensuring parents feel confident in their new roles and have the support they need to thrive.
How DEI Prepares You: DEI’s postpartum training includes guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding support, and mental health awareness. We also emphasize practical skills like meal planning, light housekeeping, and creating healthy sleep environments, so you can offer comprehensive support to new parents.
Sibling Doula Support
Sibling doulas focus on helping older children adjust to the arrival of a new sibling. They provide comfort, reassurance, and engage the siblings in age-appropriate activities so parents can focus on their newborn without neglecting their other children’s emotional needs.
How DEI Prepares You: DEI trains you to provide age-appropriate care for siblings, helping them navigate the emotional challenges of welcoming a new family member. You’ll learn how to help children feel included and reassured, giving them the attention and care they need during this important transition.
What Makes Doula Work Special?
Doula work is incredibly rewarding, you’ll be providing support during one of the most significant moments in a family’s life. It’s a career that offers emotional fulfillment and allows you to make a lasting, positive impact.
How DEI Prepares You: At DEI, you’ll receive a well-rounded education that empowers you to confidently step into the role of a doula. Our mentorship opportunities and practical training ensure you’re ready to support families in the most important moments of their lives.
What Makes Doula Work Special?
Doula work is incredibly rewarding, you’ll be providing support during one of the most significant moments in a family’s life. It’s a career that offers emotional fulfillment and allows you to make a lasting, positive impact.
How DEI Prepares You: At DEI, you’ll receive a well-rounded education that empowers you to confidently step into the role of a doula. Our mentorship opportunities and practical training ensure you’re ready to support families in the most important moments of their lives.
What Skills Will You Learn?
At DEI, our Doula Training Program equips you with both practical skills (like comfort techniques, newborn care, and breastfeeding support) and emotional intelligence (like communication, empathy, and advocacy). By the end of the program, you’ll be fully prepared to serve families in a variety of settings with confidence and compassion.
How DEI Prepares You: You’ll gain hands-on experience with real-world scenarios, role-playing, and practical workshops. We also provide you with access to ongoing learning resources, so you’re always equipped with the latest practices and information to support families effectively.
What Opportunities Are There After Training?
As a trained doula, you can choose to work in hospital settings, birth centers, or private homes. You’ll have the flexibility to set your own schedule and support families in the ways that best align with your values. Whether you’re interested in working with individual families, working in a doula agency, or starting your own business, the opportunities are vast.
How DEI Prepares You: Our career support services include guidance on how to launch your doula business, join doula networks, or partner with agencies and hospitals. We’ll help you make the connections needed to turn your training into a successful career.
The Value of a Doula
Research has shown that families supported by doulas experience:
- Shorter labors and fewer medical interventions
- Greater birth satisfaction
- Increased confidence in newborn care
A lower risk of postpartum depression
Interested in being the best doula you can be?
DEI strives to increase the quality of prenatal, birth and postpartum support by promoting excellent doula training and continuing education and mutual support to our students.
About DEI
Doula Educational Institute (DEI) offers an integrative approach with evidence-based doula education that is inclusive of all beliefs, cultures, lifestyles, and philosophies.
