Red Flags When Choosing Doula Training: What to Watch Out For
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When I first decided to become a doula, I thought one training would be enough. I was wrong. My friend and I ended up taking multiple doula trainings from different organizations for various reasons prior to working as a doula. Even with all that education under our belts, we still felt somewhat unprepared for the realities of supporting families through birth and postpartum.
That experience opened my eyes to a troubling truth: there were major gaps in doula training across the industry. Fast forward to today, and I see the consequences of inadequate preparation everywhere—new doulas posting desperately on social media asking basic questions like "How do I do a prenatal visit?" or "Can I shadow someone at a birth? or “Has anyone heard of…” (insert pregnancy or birth complication here). These are fundamental skills that should have been covered thoroughly in their training.
The Problem with "Quick and Easy" Doula Trainings
Over the past few years, I've watched a disturbing trend take hold in the doula world. Training programs are racing to be faster, cheaper, and "easier" than their competitors. Weekend certifications, bargain-basement prices, and promises of instant expertise have become the norm.
While this might sound appealing to prospective doulas eager to start their careers, it's actually doing a disservice to both new doulas and the families they'll serve. The fundamental question every prospective doula should ask themselves is: "Will I feel ready to walk into a client's home and serve with skill, professionalism, and confidence?"
If your training can't confidently answer "yes" to that question, you're not getting your money's worth—no matter how little you paid.
Based on years of observing and working in the industry, I've identified several major red flags that every prospective doula should watch out for. These warning signs (along with detailed questions to ask) are covered in my Decision Toolkit, but here are the key ones to know and watch out for.
Red Flag #1: Unrealistic Pricing and Promises
Programs under $200 (especially under $100) should immediately raise questions. Quality education requires investment in curriculum development, qualified instructors, and ongoing support. When I see programs charging less I wonder what corners are being cut.
"Become certified this weekend!" claims are equally problematic. Birth work involves complex physiological, emotional, and social dynamics that can't be mastered in 48 hours. There should be substantial learning before or after any workshop component.
Major certification promised in under 4 weeks simply isn't realistic for birth doulas, postpartum doulas, death doulas, and especially childbirth educators. These roles require deep knowledge and practical skills that take time to develop.
I once had a doula student who wanted to become a childbirth educator and complained about the length of my course (and decided to go somewhere else). Two days later, she posted on social media that she was a certified childbirth educator through another organization—for $99. Think about what that means: she completed an entire childbirth educator certification in less than 48 hours for less than the cost of a nice dinner out. Childbirth educators need to understand anatomy, physiology, stages of labor, complications, pain management options, different birth settings, how to facilitate classes, and how to support diverse learning styles. For someone with no previous birth experience or teaching background, this is an enormous amount of complex information. How can anyone possibly absorb and master all of that in under two days? How can someone TEACH it?
Watch out for programs with no clear explanation of what's included for the price. If they can't clearly articulate what you're getting, that's a red flag about the program's organization and transparency.
Red Flag #2: Poor Content Quality and Delivery
I've seen training programs that consist of primarily YouTube videos or generic online content—sometimes not even original content created by the organization! You're essentially paying someone to curate a YouTube playlist.
Modules that take only 15-20 minutes each suggest surface-level coverage of complex topics. Birth complications, postpartum mood disorders, and client communication deserve more than a quick overview.
Some programs are literally just clicking through random PDFs with no learning path, progression, or connection between topics. I've heard of students reaching the last PDF and having to contact the trainer because they didn't know if they were done—the ending was so abrupt and unclear.
Quality programs should use proper learning management systems with clear course progression, not just a collection of files on a basic website.
Red Flag #3: Missing Critical Content
Many programs skip essential topics that every doula needs to understand:
Birth interventions and pregnancy complications are often glossed over or omitted entirely, leaving doulas unprepared when clients face unexpected situations during pregnancy or labor.
Business basics are frequently missing—or worse, charged as expensive add-ons. How can you build a sustainable doula practice if you don't understand contracts, pricing, marketing, or client communication?
Scope of practice and professional boundaries get minimal attention, leading to confusion about what doulas can and cannot do. This puts both doulas and families at risk.
Evidence-based information should be the foundation of all doula education, not personal opinions or outdated practices.
Red Flag #4: Lack of Formal Policies and Ethical Clarity
Reputable training organizations should have clear scope of practice guidelines that help students understand professional boundaries. If they can't clearly define what doulas do and don't do, how can they train you properly?
Missing grievance or ethics policies suggest an organization that hasn't thought through professional standards or accountability measures.
Be wary of programs that push one specific birth agenda, whether anti-medical or overly medical. Quality doula training should respect all birth choices and family structures, not promote a particular ideology.
Endorsing doulas to use herbs or essential oils without appropriate credentials is particularly concerning. This crosses into medical territory that's outside most doulas' scope of practice, yet some organizations teach it as if it's standard doula care.
Red Flag #5: Marketing Over Substance
Beautiful websites and slick promotional materials can hide poor content quality. I've noticed that some organizations seem to invest more in their marketing and "pretty stuff" than in developing comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum.
If a program can't provide a detailed syllabus or course outline, if they're vague about what you'll actually learn, or if their marketing focuses more on lifestyle promises than educational content, look elsewhere.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It - Ask These Questions:
The key to avoiding these red flags is asking the right questions before you enroll. These questions (plus many more) are included in our free toolkit with space to rate and compare programs.
About Course Structure and Content:
How is the course structured? (Online, in person, or hybrid?)
What topics are covered, and are they evidence-based?
Will I have access to the course materials after certification?
About Support and Mentorship:
Will I have access to a live instructor or mentor during and after training?
Is there a community of peers I can connect with for ongoing support?
About Professional Standards:
Do you clearly define the scope of practice for doulas?
Is there a grievance and/or code of ethics policy in place?
Does the program respect all birth choices and family structures?
About Practical Preparation:
Will I leave the program with the skills, confidence, and tools to book clients right away?
Does the course include business training, contracts, and marketing guidance?
Are there continuing education opportunities after certification?
Getting certified is just the beginning. Many new doulas finish their training only to realize they're unprepared for real-life situations—scrambling to fill in the gaps while trying to build a business.
Quality doula training should prepare you to walk into a client's home with skill, professionalism, and confidence from day one. It takes time, comprehensive content, and proper support to achieve this level of readiness.
When I created DoulaVersity, I made sure to include all the things I wished I had learned in my original trainings—and then some. The goal isn't just to get you certified; it's to get you truly prepared for this important work.
Don't let flashy marketing or bargain prices fool you into choosing inadequate training. Use our comprehensive Decision Toolkit to evaluate programs thoroughly and ask the hard questions that will help you choose a program that truly prepares you for this important work.
Your future clients—and your own confidence and success—depend on the quality of education you receive. Choose wisely.
I created this comprehensive Doula Training Decision Toolkit specifically to help you navigate these choices. It walks you through all the essential questions to ask when researching programs, helps you rank your priorities, and guides you toward finding the right fit for your goals and learning style. Whether you're looking for the most thorough preparation, flexible scheduling, strong mentorship, or specific specializations, this toolkit will help you evaluate your options systematically and choose with confidence.
Ready to get started? Download your free Doula Training Decision Toolkit right now—no email required, no hassle, just instant access to the guidance you need to make this important decision!
