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Sierra Doula Academy FAQs
Most Popular Questions
Frequently Ask Questions.
These are the questions we get asked the most about our Doula Programs.
Still have questions? Connect with us directly.
General Questions
These are some general questions we get asked.
A birth doula is a professionally trained childbirth assistant who provides non-medical physical and emotional support during labor and birth and in the hours and early weeks after the baby is born. Birth doulas also usually work with families in late pregnancy to help them prepare for birth by providing education, information and resources.
See our blog: What is a Doula? for a more in-depth answer.
Postpartum doulas care for the family after their baby is born. They provide families with information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. They may help with practical chores like light housework and meal prep.
Training to become a birth or postpartum doula usually starts with attending a training workshop, either in-person or online. There are no pre-requisites. Attending our birth or postpartum doula workshop satisfies two-steps toward certification with DONA International and will prepare you to launch your doula practice as soon as you finish the workshop.
We offer a variety of training formats to suit different learning styles and schedules:
Birth Doula Training
3-Day Virtual Workshops – Fully online, live via Zoom
4-Day In-Person Hybrid Workshops – Includes 3 days of in-person training at our Sacramento school, plus a virtual childbirth education class (required by DONA International) completed before the workshop
Weekly Course Format – Held virtually over 10 weeks, with weekly 2.5 hour sessions for those who prefer to learn in smaller, more manageable segments
Postpartum Doula Training
Held over 3 days
Offered both in-person at our Sacramento location and live online
Each format is designed to deliver a comprehensive, engaging learning experience while offering flexibility for your lifestyle and needs.
Currently, there is no national licensing or regulatory body that requires doulas to be certified in order to practice. However, the profession continues to evolve, and many employers, hospitals, health systems, and third-party reimbursement programs have their own training and certification requirements.
As Medicaid coverage and private insurance reimbursement for doula services continue to expand, completing a recognized training program is becoming increasingly important. Requirements vary by state and by payer, so it's important to understand the specific requirements where you plan to practice.
Sierra Doula Academy is a DONA-approved birth doula training program. Attendance at our workshop satisfies two of the educational requirements toward certification with DONA International. For those applying to become a Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) doula provider, attendance at our workshop also satisfies the required doula training and childbirth education training components of the application. Applicants must also meet any additional state enrollment requirements.
If You Choose Certification
1. Complete your training
Childbirth Education + Birth Doula Training
2. Gain hands-on experience
Attend births and begin supporting families
3. Complete readings & assignments
Build knowledge and integrate your learning
4. Submit certification materials
Finalize your application with DONA International
We provide guidance and support throughout the process as-needed
Yes! We offer a simple two-part payment plan for our workshops. You’ll pay half the tuition as a deposit when you enroll, and the remaining balance will be invoiced and due 10 days before the workshop begins.
If you need a different arrangement, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to discuss options.
After you finish your doula training workshop your trainer will have you register your workshop with DONA International. This is done in class at the end of the workshop, with the guidance of your trainer, and only takes a few minutes. Once you register your workshop, your certification packet will be emailed to you. There is no cost for this packet. Here are the requirements for certification, which can be completed in any order and at your own pace, but need to be completed and your application submitted to DONA within 3-years of attending your workshop:
- Attend a DONA-approved birth doula training workshop that’s at least 16-hours, like the one we offer at SCI. The workshop can be held in-person, online, or can be a hybrid workshop.
- Attend a childbirth education class. This must be as a doula student, not for education as a pregnant person. Our birth doula workshops at SCI include this in the curriculum—each training begins with this class.
- Attend a lactation class that’s specifically for perinatal professionals and at least 3-hours in length, like our Essential Breastfeeding Skills for Doulas & Birth Workers class at SCI.
- Complete reading assignments: 4 books + 2 Position Papers.
- Complete a self-assessment questionnaire.
- Create a resource list of providers and services in your community.
- Attend and document 3 births as primary labor support (after you have attended your workshop.)
- Purchase a DONA membership and pay the certification application fee.
- Fill out the application, compile your application paperwork, and submit to DONA for approval. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been received and another email once it has been given to an application reviewer. Generally this process takes anywhere from 3-8 weeks.
- Celebrate your certification!
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and after childbirth. Read the full blog post: “What is a Doula”
Our doula workshops are never recorded, and all classes must be attended live (online or in-person) to receive a certificate of attendance. Missed classes and portions of missed classes cannot be made up. If you miss attending part of a class, or an entire class, you may be dropped from the course and need to attend a new course in its entirety. If this occurs during an online workshop, you may be given the opportunity to attend the same online workshop at SDA at no additional charge, but you will need to attend the entire workshop and not just the missed portion. (Please note: This policy does not pertain to in-person workshops or classes at SCI. Be sure to read over our Terms & Conditions page.)
Yes, we include the “Intro” class, although at SDA we call this class Childbirth Education for the Birth Professional. Our workshops all begin with this CBE class and are followed by the doula training workshop. This means you’ll leave our birth doula workshop with both certification requirements fulfilled. After you complete the workshop you will be able to begin attending births right away while you work on your other certification requirements with DONA.
Our birth doula training workshops do not include the breastfeeding class in the curriculum– you will need to attend a separate class to fulfill that requirement. We offer that class with our 3-hour Essential Breastfeeding Skills for Doulas & Birth Workers class.
We only offer our 3-day workshops online and the 4-day is a hybrid training where the childbirth education class on the first day is held online and the 3-day doula training workshop is held in-person.
Between $650-$850, depending on the training workshop you choose.
Yes. 3-day in-person: $725.00 – $795.00 | Online: $650.00 – $720.00
Yes. Certificates of Attendance are awarded to students who successfully complete the full training and meet Sierra Doula Academy's attendance and participation requirements. Upon completion, you'll receive a Certificate of Attendance for both the Birth Doula Training Workshop and the Childbirth Education for Birth Professionals class.
To get the most from your training, please plan to join from a quiet, private location where you can participate fully without ongoing distractions. If you have young children or other responsibilities, please arrange care in advance so you can be fully present throughout the workshop.
A reliable internet connection is essential, as our workshops are highly interactive and include discussions, breakout groups, videos, and other participatory activities. Students are expected to keep their cameras on during instructional sessions so attendance and participation can be verified. Extended absences or circumstances that prevent attendance and participation from being verified may result in ineligibility to receive a Certificate of Attendance or CEUs.
For the best learning experience, we strongly recommend joining from a laptop or desktop computer. While Zoom can be accessed from a phone or tablet, mobile devices may not display all participants and interactive features, making it more difficult to fully participate.
If you don't already have one, you can create a free Zoom account before the workshop
After you finish your doula training workshop your trainer will have you register your workshop with DONA International. This is done in class at the end of the workshop, with the guidance of your trainer, and only takes a few minutes. Once you register your workshop, your certification packet will be emailed to you. There is no cost for this packet. Here are the requirements for certification, which can be completed in any order and at your own pace, but need to be completed and your application submitted to DONA within 3-years of attending your workshop:
- Attend a DONA-approved birth doula training workshop that’s at least 16-hours, like the one we offer at SDA. The workshop can be held in-person, online, or can be a hybrid workshop.
- Attend a childbirth education class. This must be as a doula student, not for education as a pregnant person. Our birth doula workshops at SDA include this in the curriculum—each training begins with this class.
- Attend a lactation class that’s specifically for perinatal professionals and at least 3-hours in length, like our Essential Breastfeeding Skills for Doulas & Birth Workers class at SDA.
- Complete reading assignments: 4 books + 2 Position Papers.
- Complete a self-assessment questionnaire.
- Create a resource list of providers and services in your community.
- Attend and document 3 births as primary labor support (after you have attended your workshop. Attending births prior to the training will not count for certification purposes.)
- Purchase a DONA membership and pay the certification application fee.
- Fill out the application, compile your application paperwork, and submit to DONA for approval. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been received and another email once it has been given to an application reviewer. Generally this process takes anywhere from 3-8 weeks.
- Celebrate your certification!
Our trainings provide an in-depth look into all the comfort measures used during birth. You will watch videos that include demonstrations on how to use specific comfort measures techniques, as well as a comprehensive description of when to use them and how and why they work. For the most used techniques, we also provide a live demonstration on camera so you can practice at home. And since not all comfort measures involve physical contact (think relaxation and breathing techniques) students gather in pairs or small groups in the “breakout rooms” to practice with one another.
You’ll need to have a reliable Internet connection for the duration of the entire online course. Please use a laptop or desktop for the best experience. If you try to use an iPad or phone you will not see all group participants and may miss interactive elements like videos and small group activities. You can sign up for a free Zoom account at www.zoom.us
Your video needs to be on at all times while the classes are in session so you’re visible on camera. Missing any portion of the live virtual workshop may result in forfeiting your certificate of attendance.
Please know that we take regular breaks throughout each day during all workshops: 15-minute mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks, and a one-hour lunch break.
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and after childbirth. Read the full blog post: “What is a Doula”
Our doula workshops are never recorded, and all classes must be attended live (online or in-person) to receive a certificate of attendance. Missed classes and portions of missed classes cannot be made up. If you miss attending part of a class, or an entire class, you may be dropped from the course and will need to attend a new course in its entirety. If this occurs, you will be given the option to attend the same online workshop at SCI at no additional charge, but you will need to attend the entire workshop and not just the missed portion. (Please note: This policy does not pertain to in-person workshops or classes at SCI. Be sure to read over our Terms & Conditions page.)
Yes, we include the “Intro” class, although at SDA we call this class Childbirth Education for the Birth Professional. Our workshops all begin with this CBE class and are followed by the doula training workshop. This means you’ll leave our birth doula workshop with both certification requirements fulfilled. After you complete the workshop you will be able to begin attending births right away while you work on your other certification requirements with DONA.
Our birth doula training workshops do not include the breastfeeding class in the curriculum– you will need to attend a separate class to fulfill that requirement. We offer that class with our 3-hour Essential Breastfeeding Skills for Doulas & Birth Workers class. This class is currently only offered in-person at our school in Sacramento, but we’re happy to provide you with resources for online breastfeeding classes. The breastfeeding class is included in the curriculum of our postpartum doula training workshops.
$650-$850, depending on the training workshop you choose.
Yes. You’ll be emailed a certificate of attendance after attending the entire online doula workshop. If you attend our birth doula workshop, you’ll also receive a certificate of attendance for the childbirth education portion of your training. If you attend our postpartum doula workshop, you’ll also receive a certificate of attendance for the breastfeeding portion of your training.
The Sierra Doula Academy Mentoring & Coaching Program is designed for both birth and postpartum doulas who are looking for personalized guidance, encouragement, and practical support as they grow their careers.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been practicing for years, mentoring can help you gain clarity, build confidence, and move forward with greater intention.
This program is ideal for:
- New birth and postpartum doulas who want support launching their practice, finding clients, and building a strong professional foundation.
- Experienced doulas who are ready to strengthen their business, refine their services, improve marketing and systems, or navigate new challenges with the guidance of an experienced mentor.
- Doulas seeking ongoing professional growth, accountability, or a trusted sounding board as they continue developing their skills and business.
Every mentoring relationship is personalized to meet your individual goals, experience level, and stage of practice.
Whether you need practical business guidance, professional consultation, encouragement, or simply a trusted mentor and coach to help you think through your next steps, mentoring sessions are tailored to your individual needs.
Together, we build not just a successful practice, but one that supports the life you want to create.
Your Mentor/Coach: With more than 40 years in birth work, over 30 years as a DONA-approved trainer, and a background in professional life coaching, Janine Maitri offers practical guidance, thoughtful coaching, and decades of real-world experience to help doulas build meaningful, sustainable careers that support both their clients and themselves.
Yes. Participants should have completed a birth doula or postpartum doula training program before beginning mentoring or coaching. You do not need to have trained at Sierra Doula Academy—doulas from all training organizations are welcome.
Whether you're seeking practical business guidance, accountability, support navigating challenges, or simply a trusted sounding board, coaching is personalized to your individual goals, experience, and stage of practice. Together, we'll build not just a successful practice, but one that supports the life you want to create.
Every doula's journey is different, so we offer a variety of mentoring and coaching options to meet your individual needs. Whether you're looking for a few focused sessions to work through specific questions or ongoing support over several months, there's a package designed to fit your goals.
Choose from several coaching options, ranging from four-hour intensives to six months of ongoing mentorship and support.
Sessions are available remotely via Zoom, phone, and email. Longer-term coaching typically includes a thoughtful combination of these, providing support when you need it most.
If you don't see a package that fits your situation, we're happy to create a personalized coaching plan tailored to your goals, schedule, and stage of practice.
Insight
Latest Article
Is Doula Work Recession-Proof? Why more families in California and across the country are seeking doula support—and why we’re seeing this shift.
Birth Doesn’t Pause in Uncertain Times In times of economic uncertainty, many things begin to shift.Plans are postponed.People become more cautious about how they spend and commit. And yet—birth continues. Families across the country, including here in Sacramento, CA and throughout the Bay Area, are still moving through pregnancy, labor,
In-Person vs Online Doula Training: Which One Is Right for You?
This is a common question for many aspiring doulas. The right choice depends on your personal learning style, schedule, budget, and goals. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of both options to help you decide what might work best for you. In-Person Doula Training: Its
Mindfulness for Birth Doulas: A Foundational Tool for Labor
What if one of the most powerful tools you could offer as a doula didn’t require any equipment— just awareness and presence? Mindfulness is often overlooked in birth work, but it can make a profound difference for the doula and the birthing people they support. In my doula training workshops,
We’re Now Sierra Doula Academy (Formerly Sierra Childbirth Institute)
Big news! We’ve changed our name from Sierra Childbirth Institute to Sierra Doula Academy — and I want to share a little bit about why. Our Mission Remains the Same From the beginning, our mission has been to educate, empower, and uplift birthworkers who support families through pregnancy, birth, and
