How to Become a Doula: Navigating the First Steps · Free Webinar with Anna Rodney

This webinar has taken place.

It ran on at 1 PM ET · 12 PM CT · 10 AM PT. This page is kept as an archive of what the session covered.

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A Free Live Webinar with Anna Rodney How to Become a doula Navigating the First Steps September 23, 2026

Thinking about becoming a doula but not sure where to start? In one practical, informative hour, learn what the work really is, whether it’s right for you, and exactly how to begin.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 · 1 PM ET · 12 PM CT · 10 AM PT

A doula supporting a family

What you’ll learn

A clear, judgment-free map of the doula path. From “is this for me?” to booking your first client.

  1. A doula in a navy top standing beside a parent in a teal dress who sits on the edge of a bed, both looking down together

    Why this work matters

    Why families seek doulas, and the growing demand for birth and postpartum doula support, including how care is funded · insurance, workplace family benefits, and public programs.

  2. A birthing parent leaning over the edge of a birth tub while a doula and their partner support them

    What a doula actually is

    The difference between a birth doula and a postpartum doula, and an understanding of the doula scope of practice.

  3. Birth & Baby University doula

    Is doula work right for you?

    The core skills and traits that matter most. Emotional intelligence, tuning in with families, boundaries, and professionalism.

  4. Birth & Baby University doula

    Common myths, debunked

    You need a medical background, it’s “just being present,” anyone can do it without training. What’s actually true.

  5. Birth & Baby University doula

    Education & training options

    Birth doula training, postpartum doula training, and how certification pathways differ between organizations.

  6. Birth & Baby University doula

    How to make this a successful career

    An honest comparison of the real pros and cons of building your own practice versus working through an agency.

  7. Birth & Baby University doula

    Income & sustainability

    Real talk on part-time vs. full-time, setting expectations, and what it takes to make this a career you can live on.

  8. Birth & Baby University doula

    Your first year & support

    What the learning curve and confidence-building look like · plus the mentorship, community, and training pathways ahead.

About the session

Anna walks through the first steps of becoming a doula · the myths, the training options, the income realities, and what your first year really looks like.

Meet Anna

Anna Rodney

Hear it from our community

Unscripted, straight from their phones.

A.S.3/2024 · via Yelp · ★★★★★
“I called Anna when my night help became unreliable, and Anna saved the day. Within 24 hours, I had night help secured.”
Kira3/2024 · via Google · ★★★★★
“We were lucky enough to work with 3 doulas in our son’s first year. The quality of care has been top notch.”
RachelCFD Postpartum Client · ★★★★★
“It was amazing to go to bed at 8 and wake up at 6 with clean laundry, cooked food, and a baby who was well cared for all night.”
Aubyn2/2021 · via Google · ★★★★★
“Plainly stated: we could NOT have survived having twins without the postpartum care and support we received.”
Jennifer3/2024 · via Google · ★★★★★
“Our doula was very experienced in postpartum care for both mom and baby. She knew exactly what to do.”
Freya4/2017 · via Yelp · ★★★★★
“After some tough delivery complications I knew I would need extra help. We called them the day before I was discharged.”

What to expect

See doula events

Do I need experience or a healthcare background?

Not at all. This is designed for people exploring the profession · we bust the myth that you need a medical background and walk through the real first steps.

What happens after the webinar?

Anna points you to concrete next steps, including birth and postpartum doula training pathways through Birth & Baby University.