Why We Value Furthering Our Education as Birth Doulas
As birth doulas, our work is rooted in compassion, evidence-based care, and the belief that every mother deserves to feel informed, supported, and empowered. Continuing our education is essential to fulfilling that mission. Birth is constantly evolving—new research emerges, best practices shift, and families’ needs grow more complex. Ongoing learning allows us to stay current so we can offer the safest, most effective, and most holistic support possible.
When I tell people I’m a birth doula, I usually get one of two reactions: “That sounds amazing—what exactly do you do?”or “So you just help during birth, right?”
The truth is, being a doula is so much more than showing up on the big day. It’s emotional support, physical comfort, advocacy, education, and holding space for one of the most powerful moments in a person’s life. And because birth work is always evolving, continuing my education isn’t optional—it’s essential.
A Personal Lesson in Growth
I’ll never forget coming off my initial doula training in 2023 and onboarding with Holistic Heritage a few months later. I had a consult with a mama who was hoping for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section). I had planned to take the VBAC Link course but hadn’t yet invested in it.
She asked thoughtful, important questions about how I would support her as a VBAC client versus someone with previous vaginal births—and I couldn’t fully answer her. I was honest and told her I had more learning to do, but that by the time her birth arrived, I would be well-versed and prepared.
She ultimately chose not to hire me. And I didn’t take it personally—every mother deserves to feel seen, understood, and completely confident in the person she brings into her birth space.
But I did walk away knowing exactly what I needed to do. I took the VBAC course as soon as possible and finished with a newfound confidence in supporting VBAC families. Since then, I’ve supported many VBAC mothers, and I’m grateful for that early experience that pushed me to grow.
Where Theory Meets Real-Life Birth
While learning the theory can get you started, it’s the hands-on experiences that truly bring everything to life.
From the smooth, unmedicated births to the long and challenging ones, each experience teaches us something new. Sometimes we walk away with questions or a desire to better understand why certain things happened. We often debrief with one another because the things we witness firsthand aren’t always easy to process.
These lived experiences become some of our greatest teachers. They shape our intuition, deepen our compassion, and guide us toward further education—so we can better support the next family.
A Calling Guided by Faith
Being a birth doula is more than a profession—it is a calling. Every course we take, every birth we witness, and every skill we develop is part of a journey to serve families well. Our hands-on experiences, whether joyful or challenging, continually teach us how to support, advocate for, and walk alongside families during some of life’s most sacred and vulnerable moments.
As we grow our knowledge—through trauma-informed care, cultural understanding, comfort techniques, and bereavement support for families experiencing stillbirth or loss—we do so not just for the sake of learning, but to honor the trust that families place in us.
At the center of it all is our faith in God. Each family we support is an opportunity to bring His presence into the room, guiding us to nurture, pray over, and build the confidence of every mother.
Continuing our education is not just a professional commitment—it is a spiritual one, allowing us to grow in knowledge, skill, and faith so we can serve families with the fullness of our hearts, grounded in God’s love.
Your Holistic Heritage Doulas
At Holistic Heritage Birth Services, continuing education is not just encouraged—it’s part of our culture. As a team, we value growth and hold one another accountable to pursue new training each year, ensuring that we are continually expanding our knowledge, sharpening our skills, and deepening our ability to serve families well. By committing to ongoing learning, we honor the trust our clients place in us and remain rooted in evidence-based care, compassion, and faith as we walk alongside families through birth.
If you’re ready to take the next step in meeting us for your upcoming birth in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh, North Carolina, click here for a no-obligation consult. We’d love to talk with you about your birth goals and how we can best support you as you prepare to meet your baby!