Training

What You’ll Gain from Awakened Doula Training

Immediate Certification

When you complete the Awakened Doula Health Network training, you leave as a certified Birth or Postpartum Doula—ready to support families and begin your professional journey.

Hands-On Skills Development

You’ll learn how to confidently conduct both virtual and in-person home visits, support clients at medical appointments, and build meaningful relationships that empower clients to birth with confidence.

Launch Your Doula Business

We guide you step-by-step through building your doula career. From business setup, networking, and interview preparation to website basics and niche marketing. You’ll get the tools and confidence to grow. Business templates and forms? They’re all included!

Strong Community Support

Awakened Doula Health Network isn’t just a training, it’s a community. You’ll build connections with fellow doulas, expand your personal and professional network, and receive ongoing support throughout your pre-certification and beyond. We believe community begins here with us and with you.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Birth Doula Training

  • What a birth doula is and is not
  • The history and future of doula work
  • Understanding your role on the care team
  • Stages and phases of labor
  • Hormonal and physiological changes
  • Common interventions and medical terminology
  • Emotional, physical, and spiritual comfort measures
  • Positioning and pain relief strategies
  • Supporting client autonomy and birth plans
  • Navigating hospital systems with compassion and confidence
  • Trauma-informed communication
  • Understanding disparities in maternal health
  • Anti-racism and birth equity principles
  • Preparing for birth: meetings, education, and trust-building
  • Immediate postpartum support and newborn care basics
  • Contracts, pricing, and packages
  • Branding, marketing, and booking clients

Postpartum Doula Training

  • Defining the postpartum doula scope of practice
  • Emotional, physical, and informational support roles
  • Working with diverse family structures
  • Physical recovery after vaginal or cesarean birth
  • Mental health support and screening for PPD/PPA
  • Holistic healing tools and traditional postpartum care
  • Infant feeding (breast/chest/bottle)
  • Safe sleep, soothing, and swaddling
  • Bonding, babywearing, and developmental milestones
  • Helping families adjust to new routines
  • Partner and sibling care tips
  • Light housekeeping and meal preparation guidance
  • Holding space for birth trauma, loss, and NICU experiences
  • Navigating difficult postpartum transitions with care
  • Creating postpartum care plans with clients
  • Navigating boundaries with grace and professionalism
  • Scheduling, contracts, and time management
  • Building long-term client relationships
  • Offering packages and wraparound services

What’s the program covers?

Awakened Doula Health Network training covers a wide range of topics to prepare you for supporting mothers, families and the community. The curriculum includes:

  • Overview of a doula’s role and core responsibilities
  • Fundamentals of pregnancy and childbirth anatomy and physiology
  • Techniques for providing emotional and physical support during labor and birth
  • Pain relief approaches, including both holistic and medical options
  • Effective communication with clients, families, and healthcare professionals
  • Practicing cultural awareness and sensitivity in childbirth support
  • Guidance on breastfeeding and comprehensive postpartum care
  • Ethical practices and professional conduct in doula work
  • Navigating and understanding the maternity healthcare system
  • Strategies for self-care and managing stress as a birth professional

How long is the training? Can I live anywhere and attend?

This training is offered as a two-day virtual or in-person experience, with each day consisting of 8 hours of instruction. Upon successful completion, participants will receive certification. You don’t have to wait until you’re actively working as a doula to attend training! Choose the date that fits your schedule and join us either in person or virtually from anywhere. Our certification is recognized in all 50 states.

How much does it cost? Are payment plans available?

Your registration does not include your required books and does require membership fees. Your registration includes all required training materials, access to our supportive professional network, and a doula T-shirt. This network is designed to enhance your doula practice and can also guide you in launching your own doula business, if that’s your goal.

Payment plans are available. Simply make a deposit when you register, and you will receive a link to make further payments. Pay your balance at one time or pay a little at a time up until a week before your training date. Whatever works for you!

How much time will I need for precertification work?

The timeline to complete your pre-certification work can vary. Some participants may already meet certain requirements or have more time to dedicate, while others may need extra flexibility due to their schedules. On average, most people finish within 2 weeks to 2 months.

If you’re registering close to the training date and can’t complete everything beforehand. No worries! You can request a simple extension, giving you an extra month after training to complete your requirements. All your course materials, including your amazing books and certification checklist, are available here.

Reading List and Precertification here.

How often do I need to recertify, and what does it cost?

Recertification is required every two years to maintain your active status. We offer discounted recertification fees for those who refer others to our program. The process is simple and stress-free. Recertify right here to get started!

Can I attend an Awakened Doula training if I’ve already completed a doula training elsewhere?

Absolutely! Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, gain a fresh perspective, or add a holistic approach to your toolkit, you’re welcome to join Awakened Doula training. Even if you’ve trained with another organization. We’d love to support your continued growth! Learn more about Cross Training right here. 

Reading List

You’re free to purchase your books from any source new, used or borrow them from your local library. Many of the books can be found on used book websites and are also available in audiobook format. There’s no need to bring your books to the training. Great News! There are no book reports required.

  • Amis, D., & Green, J. (2018). Prepared childbirth: The educator’s guide (13th ed). The Family Way Publications, Inc.
  • Bennett, S., & Indman, P. (2015).  Beyond the blues (4th rev. ed.). San Jose: Moodswings Press.
  • Simkin, P., Hanson, L. & Ancheta, R. (2017). The labor progress handbook: Early interventions to prevent and treat dystocia (4rd ed.). Danvers, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
  • Simkin, P., Whalley, J., Keppler, A., Durham, J., & Bolding, A. (2016). Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn: The complete guide (5th ed.). NY: Meadowbrook Press.  

Recertification Guidelines

Ongoing Education

To maintain your certification, you must complete 24 contact hours of continuing education within each three-year cycle. These hours may come from a variety of approved learning experiences such as workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, and other professional development opportunities.

Application & Fee Submission

Submit your recertification application and the associated fee prior to your certification expiration date. Staying on top of this deadline ensures your certification remains in good standing without interruption.

Proof of Learning

Be prepared to submit documentation verifying your continuing education. Accepted materials include certificates of completion, official transcripts, or other forms of attendance confirmation from approved programs.

Ethical Practice Commitment

Certified doulas are expected to continually uphold the ethical principles and professional standards. Your dedication to these values is essential for renewal.

Cross Training for Doulas

Enhancing your skills through cross-training doesn’t mean you didn’t value your original training. It means you’re committed to expanding your expertise, resources, support network, and achieving your professional goals.

Who Is Cross Training For?

Cross-training with Awakened Doula Health Network may be a great fit if:

  1. You’ve attended a doula training but never became certified.
  2. You were previously certified, but your certification has expired.
  3. You’re already certified, love continuous learning, and want to broaden your network while earning an additional certification.
  4. You’re seeking recertification through an organization that better reflects your values and needs.
  5. You want to earn certification in the same focus area (birth or postpartum) for which you are registering.

How Cross Training Works

We’ve made the process simple and supportive:

  1. Registerfor your chosen training.
  2. Attend the workshop(virtually or in person).
  3. Complete the assigned readingsand submit documentation of your past doula support experiences.
  4. Finish training as a certified doula with expanded knowledge and renewed confidence!