How becoming a doula may be your best career move yet
Do you like the idea of a career caring for families during pregnancy, birth and beyond?
Do you long to help women welcome their newborns to the world and give families the best start possible?
Or perhaps you're genuinely fascinated by postpartum care worldwide and how we could do things differently?
Doulas are still not well known in some areas. However, this fulfilling career is ideal for people who are passionate about postpartum support and also want to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Here are some reasons why pursuing work as a postpartum support professional could be your best career move yet!
What is a doula?
Doulas are qualified, non-medical professionals who provide women with emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth. Their ultimate goal is to help Newborn Mothers step into this new role with confidence and satisfaction. There are different types of doulas; for example, birth doulas support parents in preparation for and during labour, while postpartum doulas work with mothers after they've given birth.
At Newborn Mothers, we sometimes use the word doula but also interchange it with other terms. Some people like to call themselves professional postpartum carers or perinatal support workers. When we developed our 12-module evidence-based training, we settled on Postpartum Education and Care Professional. On our blog, you’ll see us using a variety of terms to describe postpartum care roles. If you pursue a career in postpartum care, you can choose the term that feels best for you.
Read more about different kinds of doulas here: What is a doula and how do they get paid?
Doulas DON'T provide clinical care; they don't give medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, or interpret test results.
Doulas DO provide:
Emotional support
Information based on scientific evidence
Referrals to resources, professionals, groups and hotlines
Support navigating new family dynamics and more
5 steps to help you make postpartum work a full-time occupation
1. Create a postpartum business vision
If you've ever been self-employed, you are likely aware of the importance of having a clear dream to guide you. Creating your vision is like throwing an anchor out into the future to pull you toward where you want to be. Like all business ventures, setting up a profitable postpartum support business requires time, training, starting a business and finding your first few clients. It can all feel daunting, especially in a culture that does not value women's work.
Postpartum work is incredibly rewarding, and many of our graduates feel it is a vocation or a calling. Many agree it is absolutely worth the effort.
Get clear on your vision and mission and why this work is important and meaningful to you. This vision will keep you going through the inevitable challenges along the way.
Read more: What to name your doula business
2. Do some training
As doulas and other postpartum care professionals provide non-medical support, training is not legally required; however, most people feel more confident with a qualification.
Many organisations offer training programs in postpartum care and education, and it's up to you to find the training you feel would be the best fit for you.
A high-quality postpartum training should cover topics like:
Your scope of practice and who to refer to in complex situations
Postpartum nutritional needs and food preparation
Safe sleep environment for infants
Breastfeeding foundations and basic principles
Rites of passage, identity shifts and traditional cultural care
A comprehensive training course should also teach you how to:
Build a support network for new families
Differentiate between evidence-informed care, anecdotes and science
Recognise normal physical recovery after childbirth
Educate new parents on biologically normal infant behaviour
Identify perinatal mental health challenges, risks and protective factors
Anyone wishing to start their own postpartum support business should also consider small business training and support, such as marketing and bookkeeping.
Read more about training and certification: Can I call myself a doula?
If you feel called to a career in postpartum support, Newborn Mothers offers one of the most comprehensive courses in the world. The 12 modules of training provide world-leading and evidence-based postnatal education to professionals. We teach you everything you need to know about providing practical, emotional and informational support to new families. You can study online, worldwide, with a live class or self-paced.
3. Continue your education
Some of you may belong to professional associations that require you to do ongoing professional development. Newborn Mothers is recognised for continuing professional development hours by the Australian College of Midwives, DONA International and more. Each association has different criteria for allocating, depending on if they only count teaching hours (lessons), live classrooms (live calls) or coursework (workbook reflections, activities and tasks), so you’ll need to talk to your professional association to find out the exact number of hours they count.
Even if you aren't required to do ongoing training, in my experience, postpartum care professionals are lifelong learners! Many of our graduates love to keep getting new skills in areas like yoga, herbs, childbirth education, Ayurveda and more!
Read more about our graduates and their diverse skillsets
4. Use marketing methods that foster connection
Since becoming a postpartum care provider isn't the most conventional business venture, conventional marketing methods aren't always relevant. Pursue marketing techniques that foster authentic connections with soon-to-be mothers. If you want someone to invite you into their home and family life, you must build trust and a genuine relationship with them.
If people have only met or interacted with you once, it's unlikely that they'll feel connected enough to you to engage your services. However, you will slowly build that trust if you consistently reach out with helpful, practical, heartwarming information.
Email marketing and blog writing are affordable and consistent methods for connecting with your target audience. When you meet a potential client, ask to add them to your email list; if they answer 'yes', you can regularly send them blog posts. Above all, ensure your reader knows exactly how they can get more support from you by inviting them to a live event or a free consultation.
5. Set realistic goals and timelines
Doula burnout is real, so it's essential to balance your work with your own needs. Consider including self-care strategies in your business budget, such as regular massages, de-briefing with a mentor, or days off to spend time with your own family.
I often tell my students that the difference between us is that I've made more mistakes! Establishing a business takes time, so don't be disheartened if it.
How much does a postpartum care professional earn?
Everyone has their own packages and rates, depending on experience, additional expertise, the services provided, and the needs within their geographical region.
If you’re interested in becoming a birth doula, a general rule is that attending four births a month is a full-time workload. If you want to work part-time, you might attend two or three births a month.
Working as a postpartum doula may better accommodate your family's needs and other obligations, as you don't need to be on call or work nights. You can offer support at night during weekends, evenings, or during school hours if you have kids in school.
Read: How to price your postpartum packages
As with any business venture, it's essential to make sure the cost of your services reflects their inherent value. Unfortunately, women's work is often undervalued, meaning many people in the postpartum support field greatly underprice their services.
What do doulas wear?
It's important to find something that makes you feel professional when providing postpartum care. But your clients are likely to be wearing breastmilk-soaked pyjamas and probably haven't washed their hair in a week. So you should consider clothes that make them feel comfortable too!
A good rule of thumb is to choose a 'uniform' - a simple outfit that you can wear in several variations, such as jeans and a polo shirt or leggings and a T-shirt dress.
Consider the physical aspects of postpartum care work. For example:
Jewellery can prove challenging when holding a baby or massaging a mum.
An apron is handy to keep your clothes clean when cooking or giving a massage.
You may need to bend, reach, or sit on the floor to avoid tight, stiff clothes that restrict your movement.
Pockets are always useful!
Hospitals are generally quite cold, whereas homes with newborns are usually overly warm, so dress for the location you will be visiting.
Once you've gained more experience and know what you like to wear, you can get your logo or business printed on your favourite clothes.
Be mindful that postpartum doulas are not medical professionals, so we should avoid clothing that gives the wrong impression, like scrubs.
Life as a doula is challenging yet fulfilling
Postpartum support work is mental, physical and emotional work. It's also misunderstood and underappreciated in our culture. Therefore, doulas need a unique support system to help them assist Newborn Mothers to the best of their ability.
Postpartum care is also rewarding! Doulas often transform the experiences of mothers and babies. You'll provide comfort, encouragement, and support when a family needs it the most.
Newborn Mothers Postpartum Education and Care Training is for anyone who feels called to work with new families during the life-changing transformation of becoming parents. The World Health Organisation has acknowledged that the postnatal period is a critical life phase for mothers and newborn babies; however, it’s also the most neglected period when it comes to quality care.
Ready to explore a career in postnatal care?
Download the guide and learn how to start a postpartum business providing valuable support to new families, PLUS create flexible and meaningful work for yourself.
Newborn Mothers Postpartum Education and Care Training includes 12 modules on caring for new families, including mental health, breastfeeding and sleep support, plus a bonus module on business and marketing so you can actually get clients and get paid. If you want to transform the lives of Newborn Mothers and make a living while doing so, then this training is for you.
