Who Becomes A Doula and Why?

When people think of doulas, they might imagine a specific type of person - perhaps someone with a background in healthcare or a lifelong passion for birth. But the truth is, doulas come from all walks of life.

At Nurturing Birth, we’ve trained people from countless different backgrounds, each with their own unique story and motivation for stepping into this role.

So, who does become a doula, and what draws them to this path?

The Caregiver at Heart

Many doulas have always been the go-to support person in their circle of friends and family - the ones who instinctively nurture and hold space for others. They’re the listeners, the comforters, the ones who bring calm to chaotic situations. Becoming a doula feels like a natural extension of who they already are.

The Parent Inspired by Their Own Experience

For some, the journey into doula work begins with their own pregnancy, birth, or postpartum experience. Whether they had an incredibly supportive birth team or, conversely, felt unheard and unsupported, these individuals are often driven by a desire to help others navigate their journeys with more knowledge, confidence, and empowerment. We are finding more than ever that some people have had a doula for their own births and that has inspired a new pathway for them.

The Career Changer Looking for Meaningful Work

Many doulas come from entirely different career paths - teachers, social workers, corporate professionals, midwives, therapists, artists, and beyond. Some have felt unfulfilled in their previous roles and are drawn to birth work as a way to make a tangible difference in people’s lives while creating a career that aligns with their values and lifestyle. Many people are looking for a career which fits life with a young family and don’t feel their pre-parenthood job lights them up in quite the same way.

The Birth Enthusiast Who Has Always Been Drawn to This Work

Some doulas feel a deep-rooted calling to birth work from an early age. They may have always been fascinated by pregnancy and birth, devouring books, attending workshops, and being the one their friends turn to for support. Often, they have already been invited to be at a friend/relatives births or maybe someone has pointed out this role to them. For them, becoming a doula is an exciting way to turn passion into purpose.

The Advocate for Choice and Empowerment

A large number of doulas are driven by a deep sense of advocacy. They want to ensure that every person has the right to make informed choices about their body, their birth, and their postpartum experience. They are passionate about supporting autonomy, informed decision-making, and respectful care in all birth settings.

The Neurodivergent, the Free-Spirited, and the Independent Thinkers

Many people who become doulas don’t always feel aligned with traditional career paths. Whether they are neurodivergent, free-spirited, or simply seeking a career that allows them to work in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling, doula work offers a path that is flexible, adaptable, and full of variety. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to carve out a role that reflects their unique strengths and values.

It is also a role you can make as individual as you are. This is a sentiment we champion at Nurturing Birth and something we will help you to explore on our course. This is never about you fitting into a box, it’s more about exploring where you feel most comfortable and how to create a career that fits you like a glove.

The Supporter of All Families

Some doulas feel deeply called to support specific communities - LGBTQ+ parents, neurodivergent families, those experiencing pregnancy loss, or parents navigating complex medical needs. Their motivation is to ensure that all families receive the compassionate, individualised support they deserve.

The Midwives and Healthcare Professionals Seeking a Different Way

Nurturing Birth has welcomed many midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals come to doula work after years in the NHS or other medical settings. While they are deeply passionate about supporting new families, they often find the constraints of the system limiting - time pressures, staffing shortages, and rigid protocols can make it difficult to provide the kind of holistic, person-centered care they long to offer. Becoming a doula allows them to continue their work in a way that aligns with their values, giving them the freedom to offer the emotional and practical support that families truly need, without the constraints of bureaucracy.

Why Do People Choose Nurturing Birth for Their Doula Training?

At Nurturing Birth, we celebrate the diversity of our trainees and the unique motivations that bring them to this work. We don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all doula. Instead, we provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment where every individual can explore their strengths, find their own approach, and build a doula business that works for them.

With expert facilitation, a strong community, and an incredible resource board full of knowledge, our courses set people up not just to become doulas—but to thrive as doulas.

So, if you’ve ever wondered whether you could be a doula, the answer is: if you feel the call, it’s probably for you.