Compare Birth Doula Training Organizations

Trying to decide which is the right organization to choose for your birth doula training and certification can be confusing. Check out our comparison table below to help you identify what is important to you in a training organization providing birth doula training. You can also download the table as a pdf here.

About the Organization	Childbirth International (CBI)	DONA	CAPPA	Doula Trainings International	Madriella	Bebo Mia	International Doula Institute	ProDoula
Tagline	Training Without Boundaries		education. support. success	the birth world, reborn		Your Purpose. Your Path. Your people.	Committed to developing caring, compassionate doulas	Where careers are built on passion
Accreditation	Accredited with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)	None	None	None	None	None	None	Approved by the South Carolina Nurses Association
Designation	Certified Labor Doula (CLD)	Certified Doula (CD)	Certified Labor Doula (CLD)			Maternal Support Practitioner		Certified Elite Doula
Founded	1998	1992	1998	2011
Membership	9,500+	13,000+		300+	2,000+

Costs (USD)	Childbirth International (CBI)	DONA	CAPPA	Doula Trainings International	Madriella	Bebo Mia	International Doula Institute	ProDoula
Total Cost	$680	$750-$1,100	$800-$950	$654	$150	$2,479	$790	$770-$870
– Certification	N/A	$155-$165	None	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
– Workshop	N/A	$400-$700	$500-$650 (N/A for online option)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$595
– Online Learning	$680	$20-$85	$175 ($800 for online option)	$497	Included	$2,479	$790	N/A
– Membership	N/A	$100 / year	$75 / year	$157 / year	$150 / 3 years	N/A	N/A	$75 ($50 for each subsequent year)
– Other Costs	$65 for printed course materials (optional)	Possible cost for childbirth course observation & $75 required reading	$50 required reading of booklets & required reading (5 books)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$50-$150 CPR certification $50 to be recognized as an elite doula
– Recertification	Not required but available at cost ($75) if needed	$80 / 3 years + evidence of ongoing education	$75 / 3 years plus evidence of ongoing education	Not required	N/A	N/A	$100 / 3 years + evidence of ongoing education	Every two years
Payment Plans	Available over five months	Workshop only & dependent on trainer	Workshop only & dependent on trainer			Available over 3-12 months	Available over two or four payments
Discounts	15% off for existing students on other courses; 15-25% off if buying more than one course at the same time

Certification Requirements	Childbirth International (CBI)	DONA	CAPPA	Doula Trainings International	Madriella	Bebo Mia	International Doula Institute	ProDoula
Birth Requirements	Provide total 20 hours of support at 2 births
Client Evaluations	N/A
Medical Evaluations	N/A
Observe Childbirth Course	N/A
Attend Lactation Class	N/A
Resources List	Research local resources available to clients
Assignments	Assignments on bias, evidence-informed care, and case studies
Exams	Open book tests on physiology
Readings	N/A
Letters of Recommendation	N/A	Two references from a client and a health professional	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes – employer and character references	Three required and one must be video interviewed by head office
Other Requirements	N/A

Certification Requirements	Childbirth International (CBI)	DONA	CAPPA	Doula Trainings International	Madriella	Bebo Mia	International Doula Institute	ProDoula
Total Cost
Certification
Workshop
Self-Directed Learning
Membership
Other Costs
Rcertification

Here we answer the common questions about legal and insurance issues. In all our certification courses we cover finances, legal issues, and insurance through the Business of Birth module which is also available to purchase as a standalone course.

Do I need insurance?

Many new birth and lactation professionals worry about their responsibilities and liability. Birth doulas, postpartum doulas, childbirth educators and breastfeeding counselors don’t carry out any clinical tasks (such as taking blood pressure, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, doing a vaginal examination, etc). These are solely the responsibility of the midwife or doctor chosen by the mother. Birth professionals also don’t give medical advice. Your role is to provide information to the mother if she wants it, and to support her in her choices. There should never be a situation in which the birth professional is seen as clinically liable or responsible for outcomes.

Medical indemnity or malpractice insurance is not available for birth professionals as they aren’t medical caregivers. Some insurance companies offer insurance but this is different from medical indemnity or malpractice insurance. During your training you will learn how to avoid situations that increase your liability. CBI students can access discounted insurance that is appropriate for all birth and lactation professionals in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

You might find it helpful to talk with other birth and lactation professionals about they handle insurance and legal issues. You can connect with birth professionals across the world through our Facebook groups: Becoming a Doula and Becoming a Lactation Consultant

Should I have a contract with my clients?

Whether to have a contract with your client or not is very much a personal choice. Some birth and lactation professionals feel more comfortable with a contract, while others are very happy working without one. A contract between a birth and lactation professional and a client generally covers your role and responsibilities, discusses backup in case you are unavailable, and goes through the payment agreement. It can be helpful for making sure that each of these issues are discussed with clients. It’s better to leave a contract with a client, or email a copy of it to them before you meet them, so they have an opportunity to read it thoroughly and ask any questions before signing it. We provide sample contracts that you’re free to use with your clients and edit accordingly. Many birth and lactation professionals work without contracts and have no problems with this. Whether you choose to have a contract or not, it’s important that the terms of payment and the responsibilities are clearly understood by the client in order to avoid any problems later on.

Can my clients claim my fees on their insurance?

Many insurance companies are aware of the improved outcomes and subsequent cost savings that come from using a birth and lactation professional. Many of them are already providing coverage for doulas, childbirth classes or lactation counselors. If a client’s insurance company doesn’t include birth and lactation professionals as one of the services they can claim for, the client can write to the insurance company, quoting the improved outcomes and cost savings. An insurance company will usually require an invoice issued by the birth and lactation professional to the clients. They might also require specific information to be included – the client can find out what’s necessary by contacting their insurance company directly. Some birth and lactatioon professionals bill insurance companies directly. If you’re living in the United States, and wish to do this, you may be required to comply with HIPAA guidelines. We provide information about this on our student website.