Doula School Canada

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Why I Teach Full Spectrum Doula Training in Guatemala
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Why I Teach Full-Spectrum Doula Training in Guatemala: A Transformative Retreat at Lake Atitlán

[/mk_title_box][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]Author: Stefanie Antunes[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1767642223480{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Every time I step into the retreat space at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala to teach Full Spectrum Doula Training in Guatemala with a group of aspiring doulas, I feel deeply grateful. Teaching this immersive doula certification course through Doula School has shown me how powerful it can be when we combine modern, evidence-based birthwork with ancestral birthing wisdom rooted in place.

In that setting surrounded by mountains, water, and a community that honors birth I get to guide people not just toward certification, but toward a grounded, compassionate practice that will serve families for years to come.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

What Makes Full-Spectrum Doula Training Different?

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Unlike traditional birth doula training programs that focus solely on labor support, full-spectrum doula training prepares you to support families through every stage of their reproductive journey. This comprehensive approach means you’ll be equipped to serve clients during conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and even through pregnancy loss or infant loss.

During this 7-day intensive retreat (complemented by online learning components), I guide trainees through our complete full-spectrum doula curriculum:

Birth & Labor Support

You’ll master comfort measures, labor support techniques, understanding medical interventions, client advocacy, and informed consent practices. This foundation ensures you can confidently support birthing people through whatever their labor brings.

Postpartum & Newborn Care

Learn essential newborn care skills, infant feeding support (including breastfeeding and bottle feeding), postpartum body changes, perinatal mental health awareness, and navigating complex family dynamics during the fourth trimester.

Fertility & Reproductive Health Support

For those called to support fertility journeys, we cover reproductive anatomy, menstrual cycle awareness, holistic fertility care, and how to compassionately guide clients through conception challenges.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support

Gain the specialized training needed to sensitively and professionally support clients through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, and fertility challenges—one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of doula work.

Professional Practice Skills

I provide practical guidance on launching and building your doula business, including client communication, professional ethics, contract writing, pricing structures, and sustainable business practices.

Cultural Awareness & Inclusion

We intentionally integrate learning about diverse birth traditions, cultural humility, anti-racism in birthwork, and inclusive support practices—essential skills for serving families from all backgrounds with respect and competence.

With this training, my goal is to equip you not only as a doula but as a well-rounded, empathetic practitioner ready to support clients through any part of their reproductive journey.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”https://stefanie-techops.wisdmlabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/full-spectrum-doula-training-in-guatemala.jpg” image_height=”500″ align=”center”][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Why Guatemala? The Power of Place in Doula Education:

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1767642649112{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]I chose Lake Atitlán for this doula training retreat for reasons that go far beyond its breathtaking beauty. This sacred space offers something transformative that traditional classroom settings simply cannot provide.

Immersive Learning Without Distractions:

When you step away from your everyday environment and into this retreat setting, you leave behind the distractions of daily life. You can dive fully into learning, practice, embodiment, and personal transformation. This level of presence accelerates your growth as a doula in ways that weekend workshops spread over months cannot match.

Balance of Education, Rest, and Cultural Immersion:

Unlike intensive doula training programs that pack information into cramped schedules, our Guatemala retreat balances hands-on learning with rest, community building, and cultural immersion. You’ll have time to process what you’re learning, connect with your cohort, and experience local birth traditions firsthand.

Ancestral Wisdom Meets Modern Evidence

Guatemala’s rich birthing traditions offer profound lessons about instinctive birth, community support, and honoring the sacred in reproduction. By learning in this environment, you experience the beautiful blend of ancestral birthing knowledge and contemporary, evidence-based doula practice— creating a more complete understanding of what birth support can be.

Personal, Professional, and Spiritual Transformation:

This isn’t just about getting certified. The retreat format creates space for personal healing, professional clarity, and spiritual growth. Many graduates tell me the Guatemala experience didn’t just train them as doulas, it transformed how they see birth, themselves, and their purpose in the world.[/vc_column_text][mk_image src=”https://stefanie-techops.wisdmlabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/full-spectrum-doula-training-in-guatemala-room.jpg” image_height=”500″ align=”center”][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Who Should Join This Full-Spectrum Doula Training?

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1767626015601{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]I welcome you to this doula certification program if you:
- Feel called to support families through birth, fertility, postpartum care, or pregnancy loss
- Want comprehensive training that covers the full spectrum of reproductive support—not just labor and delivery
- Appreciate immersive, in-person learning in a beautiful, supportive retreat environment
- Value cultural humility, diversity, inclusion, and a holistic approach to birthwork
- Are ready to build a doula practice rooted in respect, compassion, skill, and professional excellence
- Want to be part of a supportive community of birth workers who will continue learning together long after the retreat ends
Whether you’re starting fresh in birthwork, transitioning from nursing or midwifery, seeking postpartum doula training, or expanding from birth doula work into full-spectrum care, this program will meet you where you are and guide you forward.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

My Promise to You as Your Doula Trainer:

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1767642612899{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]My commitment is to teach with heart, knowledge, and integrity—and to support you fully, long after the retreat ends. I believe in giving you the tools, confidence, and compassion needed to walk beside families during their most vulnerable, sacred moments.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1767642574347{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]My commitment is to teach with heart, knowledge, and integrity—and to support you fully, long after the retreat ends. I believe in giving you the tools, confidence, and compassion needed to walk beside families during their most vulnerable, sacred moments.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

You’ll leave Guatemala with:

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- A recognized doula certification that opens doors professionally
- Practical skills you can immediately apply with clients
- A supportive network of fellow doulas
- Ongoing mentorship and community through Doula School
- Confidence in your ability to serve families with excellence
- A transformed understanding of what birthwork can be
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Begin Your Journey as a Full-Spectrum Doula:

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1767626399312{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]If you feel called to this work, I would be honored to guide you in the stunning surroundings of Lake Atitlán as you begin your journey as a full-spectrum doula with Doula School.

Our next Guatemala doula training retreat is filling quickly. Learn more about the program, see what’s included, review the curriculum details, and register here:[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Full Spectrum Guatemala Doula Training” css=”” link=”url:%2Ffull-spectrum-guatemala-doula-training%2F”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1767632756726{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Your calling to support families through their most transformative moments deserves training that’s equally transformative. I look forward to welcoming you to Guatemala.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1767632852709{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stefanie Antunes, Co-director of Doula School

Stefanie is co-director of Doula School with a vision of creating trauma-informed, culturally responsive doula education that honors both evidence-based practice and ancestral wisdom. With over 20 years in birthwork she brings depth, experience, and heart to every training.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
January 5, 2026
Healthcare Professionals Becoming Doulas
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Healthcare Professionals Becoming Doulas

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From Clinical Care to Compassionate Support: A Healthcare Professional’s Guide to Becoming a Doula

[/mk_title_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766189301314{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Why nurses, midwives, and other medical professionals are discovering the joy of the doula role and how to navigate dual identities with confidence

When Sarah, an experienced labour and delivery nurse, first attended a birth as a doula, she felt something she hadn’t experienced in years: freedom.

“I wasn’t watching the monitor. I wasn’t documenting vitals. I wasn’t thinking about the next admission,” she recalls. “I was just… present. Holding space. Supporting a woman through the most transformative moment of her life. It was the reason I got into birth work in the first place.”

Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Across the country, healthcare professionals—nurses, former midwives, chiropractors, massage therapists, and naturopaths—are adding doula certification to their credentials. They’re discovering that the doula role offers something their clinical training never could: the ability to focus entirely on the human experience of birth, free from medical tasks and institutional constraints.

But this beautiful dual identity also comes with a challenge: How do you honor your clinical expertise while staying firmly within a doula’s scope of practice?

If you’re a healthcare professional considering doula training, you might be wondering: Can I really turn off my clinical brain? Won’t clients expect me to use my medical knowledge? How do I separate these roles without confusing everyone—including myself?

The good news? It’s not only possible, it’s often easier than you think. And it might just reignite your passion for birth work in ways you never expected.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Why Healthcare Professionals Make Exceptional Doulas (And Why They Need Doula Training)

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766512284635{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Your clinical background is an asset, not a liability. You understand birth physiology. You recognize normal variations and concerning signs. You speak the language of the healthcare system. You know how hospitals work from the inside.

But here’s what makes doula work different—and why specific doula training matters:

Doulas focus on the person, not the patient. You’re not managing labour; you’re supporting someone through their unique labour experience. You’re not preventing complications; you’re nurturing confidence and calm. You’re not following protocols; you’re following your client’s lead.

The skills you’ll develop as a doula complement—but don’t replace—your clinical skills. You’ll learn:
- How to provide information without giving advice
- How to support self-advocacy instead of making recommendations
- How to use your hands for comfort, not assessment
- How to be with someone without trying to fix anything
- How to work alongside medical staff (even when you could do their job yourself)
Many nurses and midwives who’ve completed doula training tell us the same thing: “Doula work gave me back the part of birth work I missed most.“[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

The Mental Shift: From “I Treat” to “I Support”

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766189329000{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Let’s be honest, when you’ve spent years being the one with the answers, it can feel strange to step back. Your instinct might be to assess, diagnose, or intervene. A labouring person moans, and your clinical brain immediately starts triaging. You see a contraction pattern and want to make a recommendation.

This is where the doula training becomes essential—not just for your clients, but for you.

Here’s the reframe:
- As a nurse: You assess, document, and intervene
- As a doula: You observe, validate, and support
- As a medical provider: You manage labour progress
- As a doula: You support the labouring person’s coping and confidence
- As a clinician: You prevent complications
- As a doula: You create an environment where birth can unfold
The beauty is this: Most healthcare professionals report that staying in the doula role is far easier than they expected. Once you experience the relief of not being responsible for clinical outcomes, many actually prefer it. You get to be fully present without the weight of medical liability. You get to connect without documentation requirements. You get to support without managing.

One former midwife from Colombia who trained with us said it perfectly: “As a midwife, I was always thinking about what could go wrong. As a doula, I get to focus on what’s going right. I never knew how much I needed that.”[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Practical Guidelines for Maintaining Your Doula Scope

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766189387425{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Whether you’re a nurse, chiropractor, massage therapist, or naturopath, here’s how to maintain clear professional boundaries while honoring both your identities:

Before Services Begin: Set Crystal-Clear Expectations

Don’t assume your client understands the difference between your roles. Many people don’t realize that you’ll be functioning solely as a doula, even if you’re also a nurse.

Include this in your doula contract:
- A clear statement: “I am being hired as a doula only, not in my capacity as a [nurse/chiropractor/etc.]”
- What you WILL provide: emotional support, comfort measures, information, advocacy coaching
- What you will NOT provide: medical assessments, clinical advice, procedures, or treatments
- Emergency exception: Note that in a medical emergency, you may be legally obligated to act within your highest level of training
Pro tip: Some doulas add this language: “While I have training as a [profession], I cannot and will not provide [clinical services] during doula support. This protects both of us and ensures you receive the pure doula support you’re hiring me for.”

During Birth: Use Language That Keeps You in Scope

Your words matter. They signal to everyone your client, their partner, the medical staff, and yourself, which role you’re in.

Doula language:
- “I can offer information about your options…”
- “What questions would you like to ask your provider?”
- “How can I support you right now?”
- “I notice you’re working hard, you’re doing beautifully.”
- “Would you like to try a position change?”
Clinical language to avoid:
- “I recommend…”
- “Your labour is/isn’t progressing normally…”
- “You should…”
- “Let me check…”
- Any diagnostic statements
When your client asks you a clinical question (and they will), redirect with kindness:

“That’s a great question for your nurse/midwife. Would you like me to help you ask them?”

This isn’t about withholding information, it’s about maintaining appropriate boundaries and ensuring your client gets clinical information from the person legally responsible for their care.

In the Hospital: Navigate Your Dual Identity with Grace

If you’re a nurse or other healthcare professional, birth spaces can feel particularly tricky. You might know the staff. You might even work in that hospital at other times. You probably understand exactly what’s happening behind the scenes.

Remember:
- You are there as a doula, not a colleague
- Do not touch medical equipment, even if you use it in your other role
- Do not communicate with staff as a peer about clinical matters
- Do not perform any nursing tasks, even “helpful” ones
- If staff treat you as a colleague, politely redirect: “Today I’m here as [Client’s] doula. I’ll let you two discuss that.”
The golden rule: Never blur the line between when you’re working as a staff member and when you’re supporting as a doula. Even in the same building. Even if you know you could help. The roles must stay separate.

Blending Services: The Right Way

Can you offer multiple services to the same person? Absolutely, with clear boundaries.

The one-hat-at-a-time principle:
- A massage therapist can provide prenatal massage sessions AND doula services to the same client, but not at the same time. During birth, you use comforting touch like all doulas—not therapeutic massage techniques.
- A chiropractor can see a pregnant person for adjustments during pregnancy AND provide doula support at birth—but you don’t perform adjustments during labour, even if they ask.
- A naturopath can offer prenatal nutrition counseling AND doula support—but during labour, you’re there as emotional and physical support, not making treatment recommendations.
Keep everything separate:
- Separate contracts for each service
- Separate billing
- Separate liability insurance (ensure both policies are active)
- Separate record-keeping
- Clear communication about which role you’re in at any given time
Think of it this way: You only have one head, so you can only wear one hat at a time. Your client will benefit from multiple services, but they need clarity about which one they’re receiving in each moment.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

What You’ll Love About Being a Doula (That’s Different from Clinical Work)

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766187934893{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]We’ve trained hundreds of nurses, midwives, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals at Doula School. Here’s what they consistently tell us they love about the doula role:

“I get to slow down.” No rushing to the next patient. No time pressure. Just deep presence with one person through their entire journey.

“I’m not responsible for outcomes.” You support the process, not manage it. The weight of clinical decision-making lifts, and you can simply be a supportive presence.

“I can focus on the whole person.” Not just vitals and dilation—but fears, hopes, strength, vulnerability, and triumph. You see people, not patients.

“I remember why I got into this work.” The doula role strips away institutional constraints and lets you return to the heart of why you were drawn to birth work in the first place.

“It’s easier than I expected to keep roles separate.” Once you experience the relief and joy of pure doula support, staying in that role becomes natural, not restrictive.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Your Clinical Knowledge Is Still Valuable, Just Used Differently

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766514323252{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Don’t worry, your years of training and experience aren’t wasted. They inform everything you do as a doula:
- You recognize normal variations (and when to suggest your client ask questions)
- You understand medical terminology (and can help translate it without giving advice)
- You know how hospitals function (and can help your client navigate the system)
- You spot concerning patterns (and know how to appropriately escalate: “I think this is worth mentioning to your provider”)
- You remain calm in intensity (because you’ve seen it all before)
Your clinical background makes you a more grounded, confident doula. You just use that knowledge differently to support, not to direct.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

Ready to Add “Doula” to Your Professional Identity?

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766188926676{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]If you’re a healthcare professional feeling called to doula work, trust that instinct. There’s a reason you’re drawn to this role—and it likely has everything to do with reconnecting to the heart-centered, relationship-based care that first inspired you.

Doula training will teach you:
- How to use your clinical knowledge without overstepping scope
- How to build a doula practice that complements (not competes with) your other work
- How to communicate your dual roles clearly to clients and colleagues
- How to experience birth support in a completely new way
And here’s what we consistently hear from healthcare professionals after they complete training:

“I was worried I’d struggle with the boundaries. Instead, I found freedom. The doula role lets me be present in a way my clinical work never allowed. It’s transformed how I see birth—and why I do this work.”[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

What Healthcare Professionals Say About Our Program

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766189462021{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“As a labour and delivery nurse for 15 years, I thought I knew everything about birth. Doula training taught me a completely different way to be present. I love that I can now support families without the clinical responsibility—I focus purely on their experience.”
— Jennifer, RN

“I was a midwife in the Philippines before moving to Canada. Becoming a doula gave me a way to return to birth work while I navigate licensing. I’m amazed at how much I appreciate the doula-only role. It’s so much more relational.”
— Maria, Former Midwife

“I was nervous about whether I could ‘turn off’ my chiropractic brain. But in doula training, I learned that I’m not turning anything off—I’m using my knowledge differently. Now I support families as both a chiropractor and a doula, and the boundaries are surprisingly clear and easy to maintain.”
— Dr. Sarah, Chiropractor & Doula[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

The Bottom Line on Healthcare Professionals Becoming Doulas

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766188168565{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]You don’t have to choose between your clinical expertise and your calling to support families. You can be both a skilled healthcare professional AND a compassionate doula.

The key is understanding that these roles are distinct, honoring the boundaries between them, and trusting that staying in doula scope isn’t limiting, it’s liberating.

If you’re ready to rediscover the joy of birth work, to slow down and truly be present, and to support families in a way your clinical role never allowed…

The doula path is calling.

And with proper training, you’ll discover that balancing both identities is not just possible it’s one of the most rewarding professional decisions you’ll ever make.[/vc_column_text][mk_title_box highlight_opacity=”0″ font_family=”none”]

About Our Program

[/mk_title_box][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766188514436{margin-top: -10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]At Doula School Canada, we’ve trained thousands of healthcare professionals who’ve successfully integrated doula work into their careers. Our comprehensive vocational diploma program includes specific guidance on:
- Maintaining scope of practice across multiple professional roles
- Communicating boundaries clearly with clients and colleagues
- Using clinical knowledge appropriately within the doula framework
- Building a sustainable doula practice alongside other work
- Navigating institutional settings with dual identities
Our instructors include nurses, former midwives, and other healthcare professionals who understand your unique perspective and can guide you through the transition.

Ready to explore how doula certification can complement your healthcare career? We’d love to hear from you.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn About Our Programs” css=”.vc_custom_1766190475241{margin-right: 25px !important;}” link=”url:%2Fcore-training%2Fbirth-and-postpartum-doula%2F”][vc_btn title=”Speak With Us” css=”” link=”url:%2Fcontact%2F”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766515586115{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

About: Julia Forest, Co-director of Doula School

International Yoga Teacher & Birth Doula

Julia is a visionary leader in conscious birthing and women’s wellness. As co-creator of the Sacred Birth methodology, co-director of Doula School and founding director of Awakened Spirit Yoga, she brings years of experience supporting women through transformative birth journeys for the past 20 years. Her expertise in therapeutic yoga, environmental wellness, and empowered birth creates a foundation for deep healing and professional growth.

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December 19, 2025
Doula As a Healer: Doing Your Own Inner Work While Supporting Others
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Doula As a Healer: Doing Your Own Inner Work While Supporting Others

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As doulas, we’re taught how to care for others, to hold space, soothe, share information, and advocate but doula as a healer also means caring for ourselves, noticing the parts within us that still ache and the emotions that arise when a client’s story mirrors our own or when we witness an injustice that hits too close to home.

The reality is that doula work- or really any kind of birthwork- goes far beyond simply supporting families. We stand in sacred spaces where new life enters this world. We are present at the precipice of profound transformation.

Every time we walk into a birthing space, a postpartum home, or a prenatal session, we don’t just bring the skills and definitions we learned in doula training; we bring our whole selves: our energy, our beliefs, our stories, and even our unhealed parts.

The work we do isn’t separate from who we are. A doula who tends to their inner world — their emotional, spiritual, physical, and somatic wellbeing — becomes a vessel for deeper healing. When we do our inner work, we realize that the steadiness we offer our clients begins with the steadiness we cultivate within ourselves.

Birthwork asks us to show up with open hearts in moments of raw vulnerability and, at times, to navigate trauma- our clients’ and our own. If we haven’t taken the time to explore our personal stories of pain, loss, or injustice, we may unintentionally carry that energy into the birth space.

That said, doing our inner work doesn’t make us magically immune to triggers-it helps us become aware of them (which is a superpower in its own right!). This awareness allows us to pause, breathe, and respond from compassion rather than reactivity.

Each of us is a collection of stories, shelved away either hesitantly or lovingly- and these stories shape the way we show up, both in our own lives and in the presence of our clients. The key isn’t to suppress your story, but to witness it. Notice when you feel resistance, judgment, or an emotional charge around a client’s experience- that’s often your cue that something within you is asking to be tended to.

Ways to Nurture Your Own Healing While Serving Others
- Journaling after each client: Reflect on what moments felt heavy, empowering, or triggering.
- Grounding practices: Breathwork, prayer, or gentle movement between client meetings or births to regulate your nervous system.
- Peer debriefing or mentorship: Find someone who can hold space for you without judgment.
- Therapy or spiritual counseling: Normalize seeking professional help; your clients benefit when you’re emotionally grounded.
- Rituals of release: After a birth, recite affirmations or a nature walk, to release the emotional energy you’ve held.
The key is to find a rhythm that works for you… You give, then you empty, then you refill.

As cliché as it sounds, you truly can’t pour from an empty cup- but you can pour from a full one that overflows with purpose, presence, and peace.

Author: Asma Rahman, DSC Instructor, Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1761759265440{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

About the Author: Aunjrya Fleming

Asma is a DSC Instructor and Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, as well as a proud visible Muslim woman, activist, and mother of three. Passionate about accessible and faith-based birthwork, her approach is rooted in community care, advocacy, and anti-racism.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
October 29, 2025
What Every Doula Needs to Know Before Attending Births

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When we step into this work, we’re often drawn by the all-encompassing nature of birth — the sacredness, the strength, the transformation, the beauty. What every doula needs to know before attending births is that no amount of reading or training can fully prepare you for what it means to live birthwork: to be called at 3 a.m., to witness both triumph and heartbreak, and to hold space for stories that mirror parts of your own.

Looking back at almost a decade of walking with clients on their birth journey, here are five lessons I wish I knew when I first started attending births. Consider these a reminder to ground yourself not just in skill, but in sustainability and spirit.

1. Rest is part of your role.

Early on, I thought being a doula meant saying yes to every call, showing up endlessly, and pushing through exhaustion. It took me time (and a few near-burnouts) to realize that the way we care for ourselves directly shapes the way we care for others.

It’s no secret to birthworkers that birth is unpredictable, And so, you have to be predictable in how you honor your own body. Rest when you can, eat before you’re starving, stay hydrated, stretch, pray, breathe. These small acts are part of your professional preparation.

A doula’s body is their strongest asset. Tend to it with the same respect and attentiveness that you offer your clients.

2. Your systems will hold you when your energy can’t.

Before every birth, we meticulously prep our doula bag with all the things we feel our clients might benefit from. Oils, snacks, notes, candles… but the real preparation is in the unseen systems that support you.

Before births: Think about all the moving parts in your everyday life- appointments, caring for loved ones, tending to your herb garden, whatever fills your days. When you’re on call, those things don’t pause just because a client goes into labor. Planning ahead gives you the freedom to be fully present when it matters most.

If you have children, set up reliable backup childcare and keep a go-bag ready for them. Arrange pet care, communicate with family or friends who might need to step in, and build flexibility into your schedule for last-minute calls.

The best practice is simple: make sure your life outside the birth space is tended to, so your heart and mind can be fully inside it.

After births: Schedule decompression time. Journal the story while it’s fresh. Debrief with a mentor or peer. Build rituals that help you return to yourself. Maybeit’s prayer, a warm shower, a quiet walk, or sitting in silence with a cup of tea.

Birthwork takes from your physical, emotional, and spiritual reserves. Systems are what keep you from pouring from an empty cup.

3. Your inner work shapes the space you hold.

Birth has a way of touching the tender parts of us- our own stories, our fears, our beliefs about safety and control. You can’t always predict which moment will stir something within you.

So, doing your own inner work-whether through therapy, somatic practice, journaling, or spiritual reflection- helps you stay anchored. It allows you to hold space for your clients without absorbing their pain or projecting your own.

The more self-aware you become, the more peaceful and present your energy will feel in a birthing room. Remember: your nervous system is part of the environment you bring into that space.

4. You are already enough.

Every new doula asks themselves the same question: Will I know what to do? And the answer, more often than not, is yes.

You’ve trained. You’ve practiced. You’ve cultivated empathy, intuition, and presence. Those are the very tools birth requires most.

You’ll keep growing. You’ll take more trainings, experience more births, refine your voice and how you doula. But even now, you have what it takes to make a profound difference in how someone experiences their birth.

Trust yourself. Trust your instincts. And above all, trust the Divine timing that placed you in each birth space you’re called to serve.

5. Birthwork will change you. Let it.

You might think you’re showing up to do this work, but the truth is: this work will also do something to you. It will humble you. It will stretch your capacity for compassion. It will deepen your faith- in the body, in the birthing process, and in the unseen wisdom guiding it all. Every birth teaches you something new about surrender, patience, and presence. Every family reminds you why this calling matters.

So when you walk into your next birth space, walk in as both a learner and a guide. Know that you are part of a lineage of community members and birthworkers who have held others through transformation- and that is something sacred.

Author: Asma Rahman, DSC Instructor, Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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About the Author: Asma Rahman, DSC Instructor

Asma is a DSC Instructor and Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, as well as a proud visible Muslim woman, activist, and mother of three. Passionate about accessible and faith-based birthwork, her approach is rooted in community care, advocacy, and anti-racism.

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October 27, 2025
Doula School Spotlight: Co-Director Stefanie Antunes on This Year’s Recertification Process

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We sat down with Stefanie Antunes, co-director of Doula School, to talk about what makes this year’s recertification process a little different and how Doula School is making it as simple as possible.

Doula School: Stefanie, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Let’s dive right in – why is the recertification process different this year?

Stefanie Antunes: Thank you for having me! I’m genuinely passionate about the organizational changes we’ve created. This year’s recertification represents everything we’ve been working toward at Doula School. We’ve completely reimagined the process to make it meaningful, accessible, and – most importantly – easy. No one wants a complicated and convoluted process, so we’ve streamlined it to just two requirements: 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification.

DS: That does sound straightforward. And we heard there’s no fee?

SA: That’s right! There will be no fee for recertification at this time. We’re investing heavily each month in newsletters, webinars, new courses, and program updates to serve our alumni. We already offer free monthly webinars—each worth 1 CEU—almost every month of the year. It’s a cost-effective way for doulas to stay current without breaking the bank.

DS: Why is recertification so important in the first place?

SA: As leaders who’ve been working in the field for over 20 years, we’ve seen tremendous change. Similar to modern midwifery, the doula profession has experienced a conflicting balance between wanting the work to be accessible for families while maintaining independence from the colonial and capitalistic aspects that formal regulation brings. But the landscape is shifting. As we look to the United States and see more states covering doula services through Medicaid, and insurance companies in many countries offering reimbursement for doulas…the future is clear: our profession is trending toward expansion. This means more doulas, more coverage, and more structure.

DS: Speaking of coverage, there have been major developments in the past couple of years, haven’t there?

SA: Yes! This has been such a big win for our community. Doula services are now being covered by extended health benefits by more companies than ever before. This is huge for both doulas and the families we serve. It means our work is being recognized as legitimate healthcare support, which validates what we’ve always known—that doulas provide essential care that improves birth outcomes and experiences. Having this professional recognition through benefits coverage makes recertification even more important, as it demonstrates to insurers, clients, and healthcare systems that we maintain high standards of practice.

DS: What does staying current actually look like for your doulas?

SA: Recertification ensures that our doulas remain at the forefront of the profession, equipped with current knowledge and skills. The field we work in is dynamic and continually evolving. Whether it’s new research, emerging best practices, or adapting to the diverse and changing needs of the communities we serve, recertification keeps us sharp. But more than that, it’s an opportunity for doulas to reconnect with their “why”—to remember what called them to this work in the first place.

DS: When does recertification kick in?

SA: While we’ve had recertification in place for many years, it wasn’t being enforced. Late last year we gave all students a one year notice that recertification would begin being enforced by Dec of 2025. For those who certified before December 2022, December 31, 2025 is the deadline. If you certified after December 2022, you’ll recertify three years from your certification date. We’re being very thoughtful about giving everyone adequate time and support.

DS: What feedback are you hearing from doulas about the recertification process?

SA: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Doulas appreciate that we’re not just checking boxes—we’re creating opportunities for genuine growth and community connection. Recertification provides an avenue to reconnect with peers, share insights, and grow as part of a collective. This network is invaluable for support and collaboration. Many are telling us they actually look forward to it because it honors their experience and values their ongoing commitment to excellence.

DS: Any final thoughts for doulas considering recertification this year?

SA: If you’ve been wondering about the recertification process, I encourage you to check out our recertification page for all the details. This is your time to invest in yourself, to deepen your skills, and to be part of a profession that’s gaining recognition and respect in the healthcare system. With many extended health benefits now covering our services, we’re at an incredible moment in the evolution of birth work. Recertification is how we demonstrate we’re ready for this next chapter—and how we ensure we’re providing the highest quality care our clients deserve.

And remember: we want this to be easy. We’re here to support you every step of the way with resources, guidance, and opportunities to make this process enriching and rewarding.

While we respect all doulas’ choice to recertify or not, as of January 1st our alumni benefits will be reserved for those students who are working towards certification and certified/recertified.

Ready to recertify? Visit Doula School’s recertification page to learn more about this year’s streamlined, doula-centered recertification process

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About: Stefanie Antunes, Co-director of Doula School

Stefanie has been a Lamaze® Educator and doula since 2002, inspired by her own birth experiences to support families with preparation and care. She leads multiple childbirth organizations, serves as President of Doula School Canada, and contributes to professional boards and coalitions to improve communities and the childbirth field. An award-winning author and recognized business leader, Stefanie is dedicated to creating positive birth experiences that help families bond and thrive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

October 15, 2025
Truth and Reconciliation: Resources To Guide Learning, Action, and Support
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Truth and Reconciliation Resources To Guide Learning, Action, and Support

September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a time to remember and honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, and to stand with the Survivors who carry the legacy of those schools. It is a day for truth-telling, for listening to Indigenous voices, and for acknowledging the ongoing impact of colonial policies on Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.

Reconciliation calls us to learn, reflect, and act. The resources below can help deepen understanding of the history of residential schools, illuminate how colonial systems continue to affect Indigenous health and wellbeing, and provide ways to support Indigenous-led solutions for justice and healing.

This collection highlights Indigenous-led organizations, knowledge platforms, and learning opportunities that advance truth and reconciliation across Canada. Each resource represents a step toward building respectful relationships, amplifying Indigenous voices, and supporting the resilience and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples.

Learning & Education
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH)
  Website: www.nccih.ca
  Offers accessible, peer-reviewed materials on Indigenous health, cultural safety, and health systems transformation.
- University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada
  Website: www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada
  A 12-lesson course on Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
- San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
  Website: www.sanyas.ca
  Offer both Indigenous-specific racism and cultural safety training and consultation services to support organizational and systems change
- Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)
  Website: www.nwac.ca
  A national Indigenous organization that defends the rights, delivers programming to, and amplifies the perspectives of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people in Canada.
Indigenous Sovereignty & Resilience
- National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM)
  Website: www.indigenousmidwifery.ca
  Advocates for the restoration of midwifery education, the provision of midwifery services, and choice of birthplace for all Indigenous communities consistent with the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto (SGMT)
  Website: www.sgmt.ca
  Urban Indigenous midwives and educators working to reclaim traditional care in urban settings.
- Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective
  Website: www.indigenousmilkmedicinecollective.org/
  Working on expanding lactation support, advancing food sovereignty, and advocating for Indigenous-led solutions through educational sessions, community organizing, fundraising, partnerships, and hosting the annual Indigenous Milk Medicine Week.
- Kihew Awasis Wakamik Cultural Society (Alberta)
  Website: https://www.kihewawasiswakamik.com/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kihewawasiswakamik/
  A community of Indigenous birth workers, knowledge keepers, aunties, grandmothers and midwives who share a common vision of healing their people by improving access to culturally safe and inclusive maternity and the journey back to the spirit world care.
- Wiiji’idiwag Ikwewag (Manitoba)
  Website: wibirthing.ca
  Provides support that promotes traditional Indigenous child birth and parenting teachings capable of supporting Indigenous families and especially mothers in a traditional way.
- Call Auntie Clinic (Ontario)
  Website: callauntieclinic.com/
  An Indigenous-led interprofessional healthcare team strengthening the wellbeing of the urban Indigenous community, celebrating Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, and Afro-Indigenous relatives.
- Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association (Nova Scotia)
  Website: https://nsnativewomen.ca/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsnativewomen
  Offers programs, services and advocacy supports to Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people across the province
- ekw’í7tl doula collective
  Website: https://ekwi7tldoulacollective.org/
  A network of Vancouver-based Indigenous doulas who work with midwives, doctors and birth workers to provide full-circle mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support to mothers and families during pregnancy, labour, birth, postpartum care and beyond.
- Indigenous Birth of Alberta (IBA)
  Website: https://www.doulaassociationofalberta.ca/indigenous-doulas
  Recognizes that the child is at the center of the community and the importance of nurturing the life givers
Action & Solidarity
- Indspire
  Website: www.indspire.ca
  An Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
  Website: legacyofhope.ca/
  A national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization with the goal to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System (RSS) and subsequent Sixties Scoop (SS) on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation.
- Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program (BC)
  Website: bcaafc.com/DAFGP/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcfriendshipcentres/
  The grant program provides Indigenous families living in BC up to $1,200.00 (maximum) of coverage for full-spectrum doula support with each pregnancy.
Reconciliation is about restoring dignity, dismantling systemic racism, and supporting Indigenous-led healing. Each of these organizations carries forward knowledge, advocacy, and community care that are directly connected to resisting the legacy of residential schools.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756911103986{margin-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;border-color: #FFFFFF !important;}”]

About the Author: Aunjrya Fleming

Aunjrya is the EDI lead for Doula School. She is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a deep commitment to reproductive justice. She brings years of experience working with racialized, refugee, and 2SLGBTQIA+ families as a maternal health navigator, educator, and advocate. Aunjrya is passionate about building equity-informed spaces that center safety, dignity, and agency for all birthing people.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
September 24, 2025
Truth and Reconciliation in Birthwork: Why It Matters in Your Doula Practice

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September 30 is The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It is a day to remember and reckon with the history of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and the families and communities forever changed by that legacy. This is a day for truth-telling, for listening, and for acknowledging how the past still shapes the present.

As birthworkers, we often find ourselves walking with clients through moments of deep transformation. But to walk with intention, we need to understand the full story of the land we work on, and the people we care for.

June is for Celebration, September is for Reflection

In June, during National Indigenous History Month, we are invited to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, languages, and birthkeeping practices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It’s a time to learn from the brilliance and strength that continues to thrive in Indigenous communities across this land.

September 30, however, asks something different from us.

This is a day for settlers, non-Indigenous birthworkers, and those with privilege in the healthcare system to sit with the truth. The full, difficult history of how Indigenous peoples were targeted, harmed, and systematically stripped of their rights, their children, and their ways of life.

The legacy of residential schools is not something that lives only in the past. It lives in the bodies of Survivors. In the gaps in healthcare access. In the mistrust of institutions. And yes, sometimes, it shows up in the birth room. In ways that may be quiet, but deeply felt.

Why Truth and Reconciliation in Birthwork Matters

When you are supporting an Indigenous client, you may also be supporting someone whose family was impacted by displacement, forced assimilation, or intergenerational trauma.

You may be the first person to offer respectful, affirming care.
You may be the person they’re trying to decide whether to trust.
You may not know the full story, but your ability to show up with humility, awareness, and a willingness to learn can make all the difference.

Knowing the history helps you hold space with more care. It helps you notice when fear is really about more than just labour. It reminds you not to take mistrust personally, and instead to honour the truth behind it.

Truth Comes First

There can be no reconciliation without truth. And truth is not comfortable. It asks us to face the facts of what happened, not to dwell in guilt or shame, but to do better. In birthwork, that means continuing to unlearn what we were taught, to make space for Indigenous knowledge systems, and to respect the unique needs of Indigenous families.

This September 30, take the time to listen, read, and reflect. It’s never too late to deepen your understanding or to build, or reimagine, a practice rooted in truth. When we know the past, we’re better equipped not to repeat it.

Looking for more info? Click here to view our full list of resources to guide learning, action and support.

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About the Author: Aunjrya Fleming

Aunjrya is the EDI lead for Doula School. She is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a deep commitment to reproductive justice. She brings years of experience working with racialized, refugee, and 2SLGBTQIA+ families as a maternal health navigator, educator, and advocate. Aunjrya is passionate about building equity-informed spaces that center safety, dignity, and agency for all birthing people.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

September 3, 2025
Combating Shame in Postpartum Substance Use with Compassion

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Combating Shame in Postpartum Substance Use with Compassion

Many parents feel pressure to present a perfect image after birth, yet postpartum substance use remains hidden in silence. This silence creates deep isolation and pushes struggling parents further away from needed care. Shame acts like a heavy barrier, cutting off connection and worsening feelings of failure. Compassion opens the door to trust and understanding. Doulas stand in a unique position to notice the unspoken struggles and respond with empathy. As a matter of fact, compassionate conversations break the cycle of judgment and help parents feel seen. Not to mention, they create safe spaces where healing can begin. With this in mind, doulas can guide families toward hope and healthier paths without fear.

Why Shame Deepens the Struggle

New parents who face postpartum substance use often carry heavy shame, which creates
powerful obstacles to recovery. Shame tells them they are unworthy of care, while guilt says they made a mistake. Guilt can guide someone to make better choices, whereas shame convinces them they are broken. In truth, this belief drives many parents deeper into secrecy and pain. Not to mention, shame silences their voice and prevents them from asking for help.

On the other hand, guilt can push toward growth when met with support. The emotional cost of shame feels unbearable for new parents already coping with sleepless nights and shifting identities. With this in mind, doulas who recognize the weight of shame can offer compassion that restores connection, reduces isolation, and supports the path toward healing.

Compassion as a Healing Tool in Postpartum Substance Use

Compassion softens the weight of shame for parents who suffer. It reminds them they deserve care, not judgment. In contrast, shame isolates while compassion builds bridges back to support. Another key point is that compassion fosters trust between doulas and clients. Clients begin to feel safe enough to share struggles openly. Then again, compassion does not excuse harmful behavior, but it offers a path toward healing without fear. With this in mind, doulas can model empathy through presence, attentive listening, and gentle reassurance. Similarly, research shows compassion lowers stress and supports recovery. Above all, compassion affirms the humanity of each parent while guiding them toward healthier choices. Doulas who practice consistent compassion especially during postpartum substance use encourage parents to believe change is possible and achievable.

Understanding the Root Causes of Postpartum Substance Use

The postpartum substance use often begins with overwhelming stress and untreated trauma. Hormonal shifts, birth-related pain, and emotional exhaustion amplify vulnerability. In like manner, social pressure to appear strong forces many parents to hide their struggles. Shame deepens when outside voices label substance use as weakness instead of survival. To move forward, doulas must understand that addiction does not arise from one single cause.

On the contrary, support without judgment helps parents feel less alone in their experiences. Another key point is that untreated depression and anxiety often drive unhealthy coping methods. With this in mind, doulas should recognize how medical, emotional, and social factors all intersect. Above all, awareness of root causes empowers doulas to approach families with understanding rather than blame.

Connecting Clients With Resources Without Pressure

Shame often keeps new mothers from reaching out for help with substance use. Many fear judgment or worry that seeking treatment will reflect poorly on their ability to parent. That makes it important for doulas to present treatment resources as supportive options rather than demands. Safe, judgment-free environments allow mothers to accept care without feeling blamed or stigmatized, which is often the first step toward healing. For some, addressing physical dependence in a medically supervised setting provides the foundation to move forward. In truth, there are situations—such as having a co-occurring mental health disorder, a comorbid medical condition, or a history of using multiple substances—where medical detox is necessary to protect both health and long-term recovery.

When doulas explain these options with compassion, new mothers are more likely to view treatment as empowerment instead of punishment. By avoiding forced referrals and instead focusing on respect, doulas help reduce feelings of shame. Ongoing support combined with access to appropriate levels of care builds trust and strengthens the recovery journey. Ultimately, doulas who center their work on empathy and understanding create stronger bridges that guide parents toward lasting healing.

The Doula’s Role in Supporting Healing

Doulas stand close to families during their most vulnerable days. For this reason, they often notice hidden struggles others may overlook. Of course, their supportive presence gives parents the courage to speak honestly. Similarly, doulas can normalize difficult conversations about substance use by showing respect and compassion. Then again, clients may hesitate at first, so patience becomes important. In short, a doula’s role is not to diagnose or treat, but to provide safety and empathy. Another key point is offering nonjudgmental listening without rushing to solutions. With this in mind, doulas can validate parents’ feelings and guide them toward helpful resources. Above all, their role is to stand beside families with understanding, ensuring no parent feels abandoned during recovery.

Language Matters: Words That Heal vs. Words That Harm

Language shapes recovery outcomes more than many realize. For this reason, doulas should avoid harsh terms like “addict” or “failure.” Instead, use person-first language such as “parent experiencing substance use.” That reduces stigma and protects dignity. In truth, words that shame can close the door to trust instantly.

In contrast, supportive language keeps dialogue open and healing possible. Another key point, tone matters as much as the words chosen. Not to mention, gentle phrasing can lower fear and invite honest sharing. As a study published by Science Direct shows, doula support decreases the odds of postpartum depression by 57.5%. With this in mind, doulas must practice conscious communication daily. Above all, their language should affirm that every parent deserves compassion and care. In like manner, doulas who speak with respect help parents believe recovery is possible.

Practical Strategies for Doulas to Offer Support

Parents need practical guidance, not just comforting words. For this reason, doulas can start by creating stigma-free environments where parents feel safe. Listening without interruption helps parents open up. Not to mention, offering grounding techniques supports emotional stability during stressful moments. Also, doulas can encourage daily practices like mindful breathing or gentle stretching.

However, they should respect individual readiness and never pressure immediate change. With this in mind, doulas can communicate with clients and suggest professional help when they seem open. In like manner, referrals should always empower choice, not enforce action. Above all, strategies must reinforce trust so parents believe they are worthy of support. Consistency in care strengthens resilience and creates steady progress toward recovery.

Compassion Breaks the Cycle of Shame

Compassion transforms recovery for families facing postpartum substance use. Shame isolates parents, but empathy creates connection and hope. Doulas who support with respect and nonjudgmental care strengthen healing. In short, every compassionate act helps break the silence, reduce stigma, and guide parents toward safe, supportive paths of recovery.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

August 30, 2025
From the Heart: 5 Things I Love Most About Being a Doula

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As a birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the miracle of birth and providing unwavering support to expectant families. In this blog, I want to share the five things I love most about being a doula.

1. Empowering Expectant Parents

One of the most gratifying aspects of being a doula is the opportunity to empower expectant parents. I love educating them about their birthing options, helping them make informed decisions, and providing emotional support to boost their confidence. Seeing parents gain a sense of control and empowerment during the birthing process is incredibly fulfilling.

2. Witnessing the Miracle of Birth

Every birth is a unique and awe-inspiring event. The privilege of being present to witness the miracle of birth never ceases to amaze me. From the first contractions to the first cries of the baby, being part of such a transformative experience is truly magical.

3. Supporting Families as They Grow

As a doula, I’m not just there for the birth; I’m there for the entire journey. I love building relationships with families and supporting them as they grow. From pregnancy and childbirth to postpartum and beyond, I get to be a constant source of encouragement and guidance.

4. Creating a Supportive Birth Environment

I’m passionate about creating a supportive and positive birth environment for my clients. Whether it’s setting up a calm and soothing atmosphere or advocating for their birthing preferences in a hospital setting, I find immense satisfaction in helping families have the birth experience they desire.

5. The Bond with My Clients

The bond that forms between doulas and clients is filled with incredible moments and profound connections. I cherish the time I’ve spent with expectant parents and the trust they place in me over the past 20 years of my practice. Knowing that I’ve made a positive impact on their birthing experience is the greatest reward of all.

Being a doula is a calling that fills my heart with joy and purpose. I love empowering expectant parents, witnessing the miracle of birth, supporting families through their journey, creating a supportive birth environment, and the deep bond that forms with my clients. These are the things that make being a doula an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding path, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this transformative journey with so many families and with my students.

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About: Julia Forest
International Yoga Teacher & Birth Doula

Julia is a visionary leader in conscious birthing and women’s wellness. As co-creator of the Sacred Birth methodology, co-director of Doula School and founding director of Awakened Spirit Yoga, she brings years of experience supporting women through transformative birth journeys for the past 20 years. Her expertise in therapeutic yoga, environmental wellness, and empowered birth creates a foundation for deep healing and professional growth.

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August 22, 2025
A Night in the Life: Overnight Doula Support for Twins (When One Baby Just Won’t Be Put Down)
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A Night in the Life: Supporting Twins as an Overnight Doula (When One Baby Just Won’t Be Put Down)

Overnight doula support for twins: As an overnight postpartum doula, no two nights are ever the same—especially when there are twins involved. Last night, I had the joy (and challenge) of supporting a lovely family with their two newborns. While one baby slept peacefully in their bassinet, the other had no intention of being put down. Not even for a moment.

This is the kind of situation that reminds me why overnight support can be such a gift for exhausted new parents—and how important flexibility, compassion, and a few handy tricks are for doulas navigating complex nighttime care.

The Art of Balancing Twins: When One Baby Needs Constant Contact

It’s not uncommon for one baby in a twin pair to be more sensitive or needier than the other. In this case, Baby A was content and easy to settle, while Baby B needed a lot of snuggles, motion, and contact to feel secure.

When you’re working solo with two infants, this can get tricky. But here’s where your toolbox as a doula becomes invaluable.

My Go-To Tools: Babywearing & Compassion

1. Baby Carrier = Game Changer

Wearing Baby B in a soft wrap allowed me to stay hands-free while still giving them the closeness they craved. Not only was the baby calm and cozy against my chest, but I was also able to:
- Bottle feed Baby A
- Fold laundry
- Wash dishes
- Prep meals (carefully, with baby positioned safely and away from heat or sharp objects)
The key here is choosing a carrier that’s supportive for long stretches and comfortable enough to wear for multiple hours. I personally love soft wraps for overnight use—they’re gentle on newborns and distribute weight well for the caregiver.

2. Compassion Over Routine

While sleep schedules and routines are important, sometimes babies just need to be held. As doulas, we approach these moments not with frustration, but with empathy. For this little one, the world still feels big and unfamiliar. Offering contact and comfort isn’t “spoiling”—it’s meeting a need.

I kept my movements slow and calming, whispered reassurances, and rocked gently while moving around the house. The goal? To make Baby B feel secure while allowing space for the rest of my duties.

Beyond Baby Care: Nourishing the Whole Household

With both babies relatively settled (thanks to the carrier!), I was able to go the extra mile to support the household. While the parents rested soundly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., I:
- Made a batch of protein balls for easy, nourishing snacks
- Prepared a baked oatmeal dish for breakfast (warm, hearty, and ready to go)
- Ran four loads of laundry—yes, four!
- Cleaned bottles and dishes to reset the kitchen for the morning
These may seem like small things, but to tired new parents, they’re everything. My goal is always to leave the home more peaceful than I found it, with both babies and parents nurtured and cared for.

Tips for Other Doulas Supporting Twins Overnight
1. Master Babywearing Early – Practice different carries and get comfortable before you’re juggling real-time situations. You’ll rely on it more than you think.
2. Prep Soothing Stations – Have burp cloths, pacifiers, swaddles, and bottles within reach in multiple rooms.
3. Stay Calm and Grounded – Babies feed off energy. If one is unsettled, your calm presence can be the anchor they need.
4. Triage Needs – When both babies need something at once, prioritize safety, then comfort. It’s okay to soothe one while the other waits a minute.
5. Communicate with Parents – Share insights from the night, like which baby needed more contact or how feeding went. These small details help parents feel connected and supported.
Final Thoughts on Overnight Doula Support for Twins: A Night Well Spent

Overnight doula support for twins is intense, rewarding, and deeply intimate work. Some nights are smooth sailing, others are a dance of soothing, feeding, and adapting in the moment. But with patience, a wrap, and a warm heart, you can offer the kind of support that truly makes a difference.

And let’s be honest—there’s something really satisfying about leaving a fridge stocked, laundry folded, and knowing two little ones (and their parents) got the rest they so desperately needed.

Until next time,
Shandelle
Certified Postpartum Doula & Twin Whisperer [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1750883886324{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

About the Author: Shandelle Ferguson

Shandelle is originally from Newfoundland but now calls Nova Scotia her home. With a passion for changing birth culture in Atlantic Canada, you can find her chatting with other doulas, reaching out to birth professionals and helping new parents in their journey into parenthood. Shandelle is a certified Labor and Birth and Postpartum Doula with Blossom and Birth Doula Services. A mother to three, you can find her drinking coffee, or wine, and spending time with her family.

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June 25, 2025