We are so glad you are interested in becoming a doula! We are in such need of more doulas trained and ready to serve in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County! Here are the steps we recommend as you consider the birth or postpartum doula profession:
1) Reach out to one of the SLO Doula Connection doulas near you, and meet her for coffee. Ask her about what she enjoys about being a birth or postpartum doula and what some of the challenges are. That is a great easy place to begin learning about doula work and will make your first connection to the birth community.
2) Next, if you want to be trained as a birth or postpartum doula, attend a training through a reputable doula organization. Though there are many organizations that provide doula training, because doula professionals work alongside medical professionals, it is crucial to go through a recognized doula training agency that has a defining Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice for how doulas work and serve in the medical environment. Two of the oldest and most reputable organizations are CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) DONA (Doulas of North America), and both of these organizations also have a certification process that is well-recognized by our hospitals and doctors.
DONA: https://www.dona.org/become-a-doula/find-doula-training/
CAPPA: http://www.cappa.net/
Unable to attend a training in person? CAPPA has online birth and postpartum training: https://cappa.net/live-virtual-trainings/
3) After you have gone through a doula training workshop, contact us about joining the SLO Doula Connection as a “Trained Doula” and begin getting experience and working toward your birth or postpartum doula certification.