Becoming a Doula
Looking to become a doula?
Want to become a member of the Association of Ontario Doulas?
Whether You’re Interested in a New Career, or Adding Further Support to Your Existing Business, Becoming a Doula Has Never Been More Exciting!
Becoming a doula offers many exciting opportunities. Working with expectant and new families in your community provides a fulfilling foundation for spreading and developing strong support from pregnancy through postpartum
“We’re here to support Ontario’s birth workers through the AOD’s values of accessibility, inclusivity and integrity”
Role of the Doula
A doula provides professional support to new and expectant parents before, during and after birth, and in the early postpartum period. There are many different types of doula support.
Birth Doulas work with clients to offer emotional, physical, informational support. This often includes visits leading up to the labour experience, throughout the birth and into the immediate postpartum period.
Postpartum Doulas focus on assisting new families with the transition to parenthood, infant care, feeding information, recovery support and education.
Each doula’s support is based on these principles of practice but is customized to each client’s individual needs. We encourage you to meet with a variety of doulas to be sure to find the one who’s the best fit for your family.
The current criteria for membership is under review as per our 2 year audit if you are interested in becoming a member or having your organization recognized please email membership@ontariodoulas.org
Find a Training
These organizations have a long history of working alongside the Association of Ontario Doulas. These trainings and certifications have met the AOD membership criteria, in the past. We believe you will find the highest of professional standards and learning in these organizations:
Please click on the link below to go to the website of each training organization directly. We encourage you to get more information before deciding which course is right for you. Association of Ontario Doulas is not affiliated with any organization listed and we do not receive any commissions for referrals. You may find the perfect training or organization for you in a option not listed here. Please review our current list of approved organizations if you plan to become an AOD member.
We also encourage potential members to ask any organization not listed here to apply to become an approved organization. Conditions must be met for approval and we welcome everyone to apply.
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. “