Become a Birth Doula
Comparison of Training Programs in North America

 

Costs (US$)


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Total Program Cost (US$)

$430

$505 $500 $425 $1,250 $550 $350
 

The cost is broken down into:

Training program

$430

$350 $350 $425 $450 $400 $350

First years membership fee

Free

$45 $45 Free Included $50

Free

Certification/enrollment

Free

$35 $45 None $325 $100

Free

Certification processing

Free

$75 $60 None $100 None

Free

Other costs

None

None None None

$375

None

None

Certification

Certified Birth Doula Certified Doula Certified Doula Certified Doula Certified Doula Certified Doula Certified Doula

Flexible learning option

Yes

Yes No No No No Yes

Pay by installments

Yes

No No No No No

Yes

Recertification required

No

$75

$60

Yes

Not stated

$100

No

Cost of yearly membership

Free

$45 $45 $50 $100 $50 None
 

  

Requirements


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Exam

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No No No

Assignment required

1 essay

Pre Workshop 1 essay None No Not stated Yes

Written training materials

650+ pages

Yes No

Yes

Yes Not stated Yes

Observe childbirth classes

Not required

Yes

Yes

1 series

Yes

1 series

Yes

Number of books required

3

5 5 8 8 8 10

Number of births required

2

3

3

6

6 3

5

Other requirements

Yes

None

Yes

None

Yes

None None

Time Limit

3 years

2 years 2 years None Not stated 1 year

None

Length of training

Usually around 4-7 months

2 day workshop plus home study 2 day workshop plus home study 3 day workshop plus home study - usually 6 months 6 workshop days plus home study Not stated 3 day workshop plus home study
 

   

Organization


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Online student discussion forum

Yes

Yes No Yes Yes No Yes

Continuing education

Yes

Yes

Various No No No

Yes

Online referral service

Yes

Yes Yes Yes No No No

Ongoing trainer support

Yes

No No No No No No

Introductory course

Free

No No No

$375

No No

Access course immediately

Yes

No No No No No No

Other courses available

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

   

Policies


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Refund policy

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Require agreement to policies

No

Yes

Yes

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Policy restrictions or rules

 

           

Unassisted birth

Open

Not encouraged

Open

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Contracts and client agreements

Open

Not stated Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Fees and advertising

No limits

Not stated

No limits

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Other conditions

None

None None None None None None