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This question makes people nervous because we know that you are anxious to support and help families AND you want to know if this is a smart financial decision…
Soooo, here are our two cents.
Yes, you can book doula clients before you are certified.
And also, there are some really important caveats.
Most people asking this are not trying to cut corners but rather there is some nervousness, you are trying to do the right thing and want to know what is ethical, what is safe, and what is actually normal in a doula career.
The answer also varies depending on the length of your training.
So let’s slow this down and talk about it properly.
Doula certification is not legal permission
The first thing to understand is that there is no single governing body for doulas. Certification is not the same thing as a license. It is not a legal switch that flips one day where suddenly you are allowed to exist as a doula.
Completing your in person or online Doula Certification is about education, preparation, accountability, and completed mentorship.
So, this means many doulas do begin taking doula clients during their training or while they are working on their certification requirements.
A lot of the time this happens actually. Why? Well, because people in their communities already trust these doulas in training. They are supporting friends through pregnancy questions. They are there for the physical support of their sister’s birth. They are already doing the heart of this work even before they started their training.
What matters most is not the piece of paper. Don’t hear us as saying certification doesn’t matter, because it really, really, does. What matters is honesty, respecting your scope, and providing awesome evidence-based, trauma informed, non-judgmental support.
If you are going to book doula clients before certification, you need to be transparent that you are in training. You need to stay inside your scope of practice. And you need real mentorship and backup so you can ensure your first couple clients get great care for their really important moment.
Good training programs build this in. Poor programs leave people guessing and feeling insecure about how to get clients and what to do once you do get them.
Not all trainings prepare you for real doula life
Some programs are only a weekend long. We love you enough to say it plainly. Avoid these. Want to know why, check it out here.
A couple days of information does not prepare anyone to support real families in complex systems. Those quick courses often create the exact fear people feel when they think about taking their first client.
At bebo mia our training is four months long, and students begin stepping into client work with supervision and reflection along the way. That structure matters and we created it because we know that it means our graduates are confident, competent, prepared and know how to run lucrative doula businesses. It lets you learn while doing, instead of hoping a certificate after a subpar training and inadequate certification requirements will magically deliver confidence. It won’t.
Readiness comes from supported practice and comprehensive training and ongoing support and continuing education provided by your doula training organization.
The ethical middle ground in doula support
Just because you can book clients does not mean you should rush.
Confidence without support can be dangerous. But waiting forever can also get you too scared to take the leap. Families need care, and many new doulas are already deeply capable in emotional and physical support, resource navigation, and advocacy.
The best and most ethical path lives in the middle.
Be honest about where you are in training and confidence.
Have a mentor you can call or shadow with.
Use clear contracts that state you are in training still.
Know when to refer out!
When those pieces are in place, booking doula clients during your doula training can be both ethical and deeply beneficial. You grow faster when learning is connected to real people, not just textbooks and theory. Boots on the ground, yo!
Practical considerations people forget
Insurance is one of the big ones. Some providers will not insure you without certification. Certain hospitals and birth centres require proof of certification and insurance before allowing access.
They are policies you need to know before you promise anything to families. You can simply find that out by calling ahead to the hospital or birth centre.
Another piece to consider is numbers. People often ask how many doula clients per month is realistic while in training. The answer depends on your life, your childcare (if you have kids), your energy, and the level of support around you.
For most new doulas, one client at a time is plenty. The goal is learning, not volume.
However, we did have a student in our training book 9 clients while she was still in school! She paid for her training, profited an additional $8000 and got so much wonderful experience!
How to get doula clients while in training
The funny truth is that most first clients do not come from fancy marketing. They come from real relationships.
Someone at your kid’s school.
A coworker.
A neighbour who already trusts you.
Telling people you are in training is the first step to filling your client roster.
People can be so nervous about telling people and we explore how to get your first client in this video.
The best way to grow your doula business is with one conversation at a time.
What actually makes you ready to be a doula
Readiness is layered and deeply personal for each doula in training.
Education matters.
Mentorship matters.
Reflection matters.
Practice matters.
A certificate alone does not create confidence and mean you are perfect at being a doula. And a lack of certificate does not automatically mean you are not ready.
The structure of your training is the real question. Does it teach you how to think, not just what to memorize? Does it give you community, not just modules?
That is what protects families and doulas alike.
The question behind the question
Most people asking this are really asking something softer and more vulnerable. And we hear you, sweet soon to be doula.
Am I allowed to start?
Am I enough yet?
Will I disappoint someone by trying?
Am I ready?!
Those fears are normal and they mean you care, which is one of the most important qualities in a successful doula career.
You do not need to be perfect to begin. What you do need is to be honest, supported, and committed to learning.
What comes next on your doula journey?
Once this question is answered, another one always follows… we get it because we were where you are many years ago. Since then the teaching team at bebo mia has supported 1000s of families through their fertility, losses, pregnancy, birth and postpartum periods.
Some common questions are:
- How do you actually get your first doula client?
- How many doula clients per month make sense?
- What does a sustainable doula career look like?
Those are the conversations are all answered on our Youtube channel, so head over there and follow us! We have all the answers for you.
If you are thinking about doula training, start here with our free guide
https://bebomia.com/ultimateebook
And if you want to explore comprehensive online doula training built for real life
https://bebomia.com/doulatraining
You are allowed to begin before you feel totally ready. Just do it with integrity, community, and good training around you.
That is the smart way forward.
Want to know more about our live online doula training? Click here!
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