If you are an expecting parent who has worked with Great Expectations, you probably know me as the lady who sends you email , who talks to you on the phone as part of the process of hiring a doula or registering for a childbirth class…or you know me as the placenta lady. These are all true....but I am so much more.☺ I also own the national doula certification company, BEST Doula Training.

Having co-created BEST Doula Training, I love training new doulas and I can assumre you, its a great field to be in right now. Truly, birth work is the best work. So if you are considering becoming a doula (and you should), I encourage you to look around and consider your options for doula certification. Obviously I hope you will check out BEST, but I am going to provide you with a few questions to consider. Some are just for you to mull around in your own head and some are great questions to ask each certification organization your consider. I have taken the liberty to answer them with the BEST answer already.

Do I want to attend an in-person training or a virtual training?

This is a big one. Many people love the idea of online training because it seems more convenient in terms of potential travel or childbirth issues. However, online training can only offer so much when it comes  to hands-on skills and network building. There really is nothing like spending a weekend with other people who share the same passion and digging into knowledge together, practicing your new doula skills all while sharing laughter (and sometimes tears).

Luckly with BEST, we offer both options and we have done our very best to make online training community building as well as pracitcal for learning the hands on skills. We also still offer the same dynamic and comprehensive in-person trainings (typically in fun cities - come explore them with us!). So join us in your home town, travel to a training or attend in your PJs from you computer at home.

The other great part about training is the relationships built during training. Amanda and I lead every training with BEST, so no doula that has trained with us is a nameless face in the crowd. We know them, we have jokes with them and we have chatted with them to discuss their goals for becoming a doula and how to reach them.

My guess is that no matter where or how you train you will leave your workshop exhausted but full of joy and excitement.

What happens when I register?

You get a bunch of stuff from BEST! We offer all inclusive pricing. That means that we set you up with everything but your books - and there will be no addition fees, membership dues etc. BEST sends you access to a 6 podcast childbirth series, a lactation training video and what we call a Think Log that walks you through the podasts. You will also be added to the BEST study groups so you can get to know your Besties for both sharing knowledge and encouragement.

Once its time for your chosen training date, you will receive about 30 hours of hands on training at your workshop.  The training is fun - time flies by! Even better? After completing the workshop, you are certified. BEST does not requre certification births (read why). Still not sure what to expecet? Here are two blogs, one about in person training and one about virtual training.

Does your certification include marketing and business skills?

You can have the best hip squeeze in the business, but if no one can find you to hire you - it just won't matter. Sad, right? A doula these days has to have some business skillz! BEST prepares our doulas to be amazing doulas as well as ethical and savvy business owners.  We include contracts and other paperwork in your as well as including interview and marketing skills. Every BEST training includes what we call BEST Launch and it means that you leave the workshop ready to book a cient. LLCs, EPNs, SEO etc.....it's all covered in Launch.

What is the total cost to be certified? 

This question is going to get you a lot of answers because most programs have tiered fee structures. In order to budget, make sure to get a list of all fees that are needed for full certification (memebership fee, packet fee, course fee, CBE fee...).  If the organization also requires free or low cost cert births to finish your training, you will need to consider those expenses (ie childcare costs, gas, parking etc.). Luckily for Amanda and I (and our accountant), the fee for BEST is just one fee and it includes everything. The fee as of 2021 is $649 with early bird registration discount of $50. So if you sign up a month in advance you will become a certified doula for $599. There are no hidden fees or membership costs. 

Will your organization make me sign a non-compete?

No way. A non-compete is a legal document which might bar you from working as a doula for a period of time if you choose not to re-certify with that organization or state that you cannot train with or promote other similar organizations. BEST would never do this. We love to hear that doulas are collaboraring and engaging in professional development. More training is never a bad thing.

Where is trainng? And who leads it? 

Training is led by Maria Pokluda, me (founder of Great Expectations, Dallas, TX) and Amanda Devereux (founder of Nola Nesting, New Orleans, LA).  Between us we have decades of experience running successful doula practices and since we lead all training, you can know every training maintains a high level of consistant expertise. It also insures that the trainers have a personal relationship with every Bestie. Your success is our success and we take that seriously.

BEST Doula trains once a month and we generally train in bigger cities that are easy for everyone to fly/drive if they are traveling to attend. If you want us to consider coming to your town, let's do it. All training is also available virtually and you can attend any virtual training from anywhere in the world.

When will I receive certification?

BEST sends or certificates shortly after you attend training. If you ask other organizations, the answers will vary greatly. Some organizations require a packet to be mailed in then you wait for it to be graded - often months.  Others send you a certification by mail and others don't send out actual certificates at all. BEST doulas are certified when they leave training and will receive an actual certificate in the week following training. 

How does your organization see itself advocating for the doula profession as whole?

BEST stands for 4 principles that we see as the core well rounded doula work - Business skills, strong Ethics, Sustainability and the ability to work Together with others. We believe doulas are professionals providing valuable services to expecting families.  We believe doulas should be equipped to work sustainably and that our role as a certifying organization is supporting doulas to meet these goals. When doulas build a sustainable practices that lead to long careers, doula win, expecting families win and maternity care is improved. Doulas change the world!

Can I read more about your program on your website? Can I talk to a real person on the phone?

Websites are a must these days and they can also tell you a lot about an organization. Is the website current with attractive and modern branding? Can I complete registration online? Do you like the name?

We are happy to have you contact us at any time about the program and we will reply to you quickly. Our email is hello@bestdoulatraining.com and you can contact us at (214) 223-0226 during normal business hours.

Want to keep chatting about becoming a doula and doula training? BEST runs a Facebook group for new and experienced doulas and we would love to have you join the group: Love What You DOULA