5 Myths About Becoming a Postpartum Doula (And What's Actually True)

I often hear from folks that they’ve been considering becoming a postpartum doula for quite some time, but they’re stuck processing. When they share more, I learn that it’s not because of a lack of interest and inspiration with this work. Instead, they are hung up on something they heard, assumed, or read online. I’d like to address some of these myths and share my honest perspective as a person who's been in the postpartum care space since the early 2000s.

 5 Myths about Becoming a Postpartum Doula

"You need a midwifery, nursing, or nanny background to be successful.” 

This is one of the most common reasons people hesitate to train as a doula. However, postpartum doula work is non-medical support by design. Postpartum doulas center the family they are working with and support them in functioning through the massive transition of welcoming a baby (or multiple) into their lives. You offer in-person, customized care for the whole family. This ranges from holding the baby so a parent can shower, to prepping meals, to answering "is this normal?!" questions with calm and accurate information. You also support families by referring to additional providers, professionals, and resources as you see needs emerge.

Some of the best postpartum doulas I’ve worked with come from backgrounds in social work, teaching, hospitality, or parenting their own kids. No matter what your previous life and work experience is, what matters most is your ability to stay steady, nonjudgmental, and present with someone during their most tender weeks.

 "I have to be a parent myself to understand what families need."

Being a parent can give you incredible insight, of course, but it's not a prerequisite to this work. Many people know how to nurture, care, and tend to others, whether they have their own children or not. Training and experience help folks build skills in this work. If you have a willingness to meet families where they are, trust them as the experts of their own experience, and show up with compassion, this work is for you.

"There's no real career in this; it's just a side gig."

Postpartum doula work may be a “side gig” for some, but for others it’s a full, sustainable career. There is so much possibility in this work, depending on your goals. Doulas may work independently or within an agency. You may also decide to specialize in specific areas of support, like sleep coaching, perinatal mood conditions, or feeding support. You may offer multiple, complimentary services. And, like me, you may eventually train and mentor other doulas. There’s a lot of space for creativity, flexibility, and career growth as a doula!

"I won't know what to say when things get emotionally heavy."

New parenthood can bring up grief, anxiety, identity shifts, and perinatal mood conditions. It's reasonable to worry about being out of your depth. However, you're not a therapist, and good training doesn't ask you to be. What you're taught in the ABG program is how to hold space without trying to fix, how to recognize when something is beyond the scope of a doula, and how to refer out with care. Knowing the boundary is part of the skill, not a gap in it.

"Certification takes forever, and I don't have that kind of time"

This one keeps a lot of capable people on the sidelines indefinitely. The truth is, self-paced, online certification exists precisely because most aspiring doulas are already juggling work, caregiving, or both. You don't need to put your life on hold to get started.

Most students move through our certification program in two to three months. The longest part of the program is the reading and working with the first three clients. Note: you don't have to wait until you're fully certified to start working with clients. Once you've completed the first four modules, you have the skills you need to begin supporting families. You can be earning and gaining real experience while you finish the rest of the coursework.

We’re Ready for You to Join Us

You're not behind, and you're not missing some prerequisite everyone else has. You are ready to jump in, and we are ready to support you along the way.

If you're ready to see what real training looks like, ABG Doula Training's self-paced postpartum doula certification was built for flexible learning.

*Photo credit: Canva