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A birth doula is a professionally trained and experienced caregiver who provides continuous informational, physical, emotional support and companionship before, during, and just after childbirth. The word “doula” is originates from an ancient Greek word for a "female slave who would assist with childbirth in the ancient Greek household".  Although the modern professional term—defined as “one who serves”—first gained popularity in the late 1960s, this essential support role is timeless and prevalent throughout many historical cultures.

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A professional birth doula can use non-medical techniques to alleviate discomforts during pregnancy and labor, and will stay with the laboring person throughout their entire labor and birth.  A birth doula also helps the laboring person and their partner communicate more effectively with their clinical care providers, such as doctors, nurses, and midwives.

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A birth doula provides guidance, emotional support, and assistance to the birthing person or family in getting the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.  The doula’s role is non-medical and emotionally oriented, and a doula nurtures and protects the birthing person’s memory of their birth experience, recognizing birth as a unique experience that a parent will remember all their life.

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Through our training program, you will become familiar with the physiology of normal labor and birth, learn how to care for the emotional needs of a person in labor, and gain skills to help birthing persons prepare for the birth experience they want.

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TBI’s birth doula training program is designed to provide you with the skills necessary to become a certified/professional birth doula.

You will learn how to support clients through their labor and birth experiences, empowering birthing women and their partners as they make choices through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.