Learn the foundations
Understand the birth doula role, professional scope, ethics, labor and birth, prenatal preparation, and the responsibilities you carry into the room.
DONA International–Approved Birth Doula Training
Birth doula training with support that continues after the workshop.
Learn the foundations of professional birth doula support with Laura DePasquale, a DONA-approved Birth Doula Trainer with more than 35 years in birth work.
This three-day, in-person workshop combines childbirth education, hands-on labor support, communication, professional boundaries, certification guidance, and preparation for working with real clients. Students can also continue turning to Laura for mentorship as they work toward DONA certification and begin building their practice.
35+Years in Birth Work
1,000+Births Attended
100+Live Workshops
1,600+Doulas Trained
Experience in the Classroom
Learn from someone who has spent decades doing the work.
Laura’s teaching is shaped by more than 1,000 births. She knows what it looks like when labor changes quickly, when a partner needs direction, when a family feels overwhelmed, and when the doula needs to stay steady enough to support everyone else in the room.
Students learn how to think, communicate, adapt, and stay within scope—not just memorize positions or comfort measures. Workshops are practical, participatory, and grounded in ethical, respectful, evidence-informed care.
What Students Can Expect
A workshop built around participation.
Laura teaches through conversation, demonstration, practice, case examples, and the questions that come up as students begin picturing themselves in real birth spaces.
Practice the work
Practice comfort measures, positioning, communication, and hands-on labor support with other students—not just through lecture.
Prepare for clients
Work through advocacy, professional boundaries, difficult moments, certification, and the first steps toward building a sustainable doula practice.
Inside the Three-Day Training
What you’ll learn and practice.
The workshop covers the education required for a DONA-approved birth doula workshop while leaving room for hands-on practice, discussion, and the real questions that come up as students prepare to work with families.
Understanding birth and the doula’s role
Childbirth foundations, scope, ethics, standards of practice, prenatal preparation, and supporting informed decision-making.
Childbirth foundations, scope, ethics, standards of practice, prenatal preparation, and supporting informed decision-making.
Physical and emotional labor support
Comfort measures, movement, positioning, reassurance, partner support, and adapting when labor is difficult or unexpected.
Comfort measures, movement, positioning, reassurance, partner support, and adapting when labor is difficult or unexpected.
Communication, advocacy and teamwork
How to communicate respectfully, stay within scope, support client voice, and work alongside nurses, midwives, physicians, and partners.
How to communicate respectfully, stay within scope, support client voice, and work alongside nurses, midwives, physicians, and partners.
Equity, history and respectful care
Maternal and infant health inequities, cultural humility, and the responsibility to offer respectful, person-centered support.
Maternal and infant health inequities, cultural humility, and the responsibility to offer respectful, person-centered support.
DONA certification and beginning your practice
Understand what remains after training, organize certification requirements, prepare for early clients, and begin thinking about your professional practice.
Understand what remains after training, organize certification requirements, prepare for early clients, and begin thinking about your professional practice.
A Clear DONA Certification Path
Know what the workshop completes and what comes next.
The workshop satisfies the Childbirth Class for Professionals and DONA-Approved Birth Doula Workshop educational requirements. Certification also includes additional requirements completed directly through DONA International.
During the workshop
Complete two educational requirements, practice foundational skills, and develop a clear understanding of the professional doula role.
Complete two educational requirements, practice foundational skills, and develop a clear understanding of the professional doula role.
After the workshop
Complete DONA’s remaining reading, experience, documentation, and certification submission requirements.
Complete DONA’s remaining reading, experience, documentation, and certification submission requirements.
As you work toward certification
Keep bringing Laura your questions about certification, early client work, and the situations that come up as you gain experience.
Keep bringing Laura your questions about certification, early client work, and the situations that come up as you gain experience.
Mentorship After Training
Mentorship is available after the workshop.
Three days of training give you a foundation. They don’t answer every question you’ll have once certification paperwork, first clients, and real birth experiences begin.
Holistic Beginnings students can continue reaching out to Laura as they work toward DONA certification and start supporting families.
01Navigate certificationAsk questions about requirements, documentation, and next steps.
02Bring the questions that come laterGet perspective on the practical questions that arise once you begin working with families.
03Develop professional judgmentLearn from an experienced trainer as your confidence, skills, and judgment develop.
Curious About Becoming a Doula?
Join a virtual doula info session.
If you’re interested in birth work but aren’t ready to register for training, join Laura online to learn more about becoming a doula, DONA certification, what training involves, and what the work actually looks like.
Sessions are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month when scheduled. Bring your questions and use the upcoming-events list below to find the next available session.
Workshops, Classes & Info Sessions
See what’s coming up.
Browse current Holistic Beginnings trainings, continuing education classes, and virtual events. Registration details are managed through Event Espresso, so this list updates as new events are added.
Have a question about training, payment arrangements, or a future city?
Email Laura.
From Laura’s Students
What students remember after the workshop.
“She didn’t just teach me techniques—she taught confidence, critical thinking and how to truly show up for families in one of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of their lives.”
Amanda Partain · Doula-training graduate
“Laura laid the foundation for the framework that has shaped my entire career as a doula.”
Emily Bodinger
“Laura lit a fire in me that I didn’t know existed. I am a fully booked, successful doula and educator now.”
Tia Middleton, CD, CCCE
“When you train with Laura, you get an amazing education, a colleague, a mentor and a friend.”
Erin Ronder Neves
Birth Doula Training FAQ
Questions before you register.
Will I be certified when the workshop ends?
No. The workshop completes two DONA educational requirements. Certification also includes additional requirements completed and submitted directly through DONA International.
Do I need previous birth experience?
No previous professional birth experience is required. Students should complete assigned preparation and come ready to participate throughout the three-day workshop.
What is included in the training?
Training includes three days of instruction, hands-on practice, the Birth Doula Manual, workshop materials, and certificates of attendance for the educational courses covered during the workshop.
Is mentorship available after training?
Yes. Laura continues to mentor Holistic Beginnings students as they work toward DONA certification and begin navigating common questions that come up in early professional practice.
What is the virtual doula info session?
It’s a live online session for people considering birth work. Laura answers questions about becoming a doula, training, DONA certification, and what to expect from a Holistic Beginnings workshop.
Are payment arrangements available?
Payment arrangements may be available. Contact Laura before registering to ask about current options and payment deadlines.
Begin Your Doula Training
Ready to choose a workshop?
View current DONA-approved birth doula trainings or email Laura if you have a question about certification, mentorship, payment arrangements, or future locations.