Welcome to the Association of Ontario Doulas
The Association of Ontario Doulas promotes the development of professional doulas from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and advocates for client-directed support in the province of Ontario.
Find Your Doula
Please find a list below of a list of our current members!
Recently Searched Doulas
Our Mission: The Association of Ontario Doulas advances the doula profession through community engagement, education and advocacy.
- Continuing education and support for professional doulas
- Providing professional guidance to doulas
- Working to establish funding and access for professional doula support services
- Mobilizing strong internal and external community relationships and partnerships
Accessibility – The AOD strives to remove barriers to the advancement and growth of doula professionals and the community.
Inclusivity – The AOD strives to ensure equity and sustainability in the perinatal profession by tending to the needs of our members of marginalized communities.
Integrity- The AOD strives to uphold the profession’s moral and ethical principles and values and encourages individuals to demonstrate ongoing growth.
- Advancing the profession
The AOD’s primary goal is to strategize, mobilize, and advocate for Ontario doulas.
We do so through continuing education. The AOD is proud to include continuing education opportunities for its members as a part of its updated strategic priorities.
Through AOD’s strategic priorities, we encourage our members to focus on expanding their inter-professional collaboration within the perinatal community, including mentorship and engagement at board and policy levels.
- Promoting the value of doula support to the general public
The AOD is passionate about the contribution that perinatal professionals make to the well-being of Ontarians.
We promote the value of perinatal support by promoting the profession through advertisements, speakers, social media, and public engagement.
- Strong Internal and External Relationships or Partnerships through Collaboration
The AOD works to collaborate with stakeholders in several ways:
- through formal and informal networking
- through the education and inclusion of diverse voices
- through educational opportunities that speak to our goals of collaboration, inclusion, and the advancement of perinatal professionals
The AOD aims to work closely with related practitioners, associations, and potential colleges to ensure that the advocacy and strategy for Ontario perinatal professionals are ongoing, collaborative, and inclusive.
The AOD advocates at systemic and governmental levels to ensure that perinatal professionals are recognized as key support for Ontarians.
“We’re here to support Ontario’s birth workers through the AOD’s values of accessibility, inclusivity and integrity”
For Our Members
Membership in Association of Ontario Doulas offers a number of advantages
- A network of doula peers across the province
- Certificate and badge of membership showing you are a registered member of the AOD
- A listing in the Association of Ontario Doulas Directory
- Access to continuing education opportunities, regular AOD newsletters, updates, and guidance
- Participation in the Association of Ontario Doulas Annual General Meeting and regular speakers events or workshops
- $1 million each of commercial general and professional liability insurance, with options to purchase up to $5 million in coverage
- Packages start at $76.95!
For Expectant Families
What is a Doula?
A doula is someone who provides non-clinical support and care to a person (and her partner if applicable) during childbirth and the postpartum period. People have complex needs during childbirth.
In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, labouring people need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. To this end, a doula works with a labouring person and her family, physicians, midwives and nurses with an aim to enhance communication and understanding.
With a Doula present, the pressure on the partner is also decreased, allowing participation at an optimum comfort level and increasing the enjoyment of the birth of the baby. Ideally, the Doula and the partner make the perfect support team, complementing each other’s strengths.
Volunteer Board of Directors
The AOD is guided by a dedicated Volunteer Board of Directors who bring their experience, passion, and leadership to strengthen our mission.
Kait Pacheco
(2025 – 2027 term)
Vacant
(2024-2026 term)
Vacant
(2025-2027 term)
Brittany Goodfellow
(2024-2026 term)
Becca Wood
(2025-2027 term)
Upcoming Events
WEBINAR: Doula Talk: A Values-Based Approach to Informed Consent
Nervous System Regulation for Doulas
Submit Your Event for Promotion with the Association of Ontario Doulas
Experiences Shared by Our Doula Community
“My AOD membership has been a valuable investment for my business. The website listing generates regular referrals, and those clients more than cover my membership and insurance costs. I’ve also been a webinar facilitator and participant in previous AOD hosted webinars, which are great learning opportunities for the doula community.”
“Being listed with the Ontario Association of Doulas has been genuinely helpful in my practice. I’ve had several clients reach out specifically because they found my profile through the AOD directory, particularly those who were looking for added reassurance around professionalism, legitimacy, and comfort in their decision-making. Having that platform available has supported those clients in feeling more confident as they choose the right doula for their family. “
Whether you're interested in a new career, or adding further support to your existing business, becoming a doula has never been more exciting!