Next Birth Doula Training · Rho Cohort · Our 16th Class

Birth Doula Training.
Rho Cohort · July 28–31, 2026 · Baton Rouge

A four-day ICEA-approved birth doula training. Two online evenings plus two full in-person days at FranU St. Francis Hall. Thirty-three contact hours; volunteer-track scholarships available.

In partnership with

ICEA — International Childbirth Education Association

Franciscan Missionaries
of Our Lady University

Held at FranU St. Francis Hall, 5414 Brittany Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

New here? Start with our Education & Training overview

The Invitation

Four days. Years of difference made. You will learn how to support a laboring mother through hours of contractions, how to read a hospital room, and how to be the steady voice that reminds a woman her birth is hers. The work is not glamorous. It is essential.

July 28–31, 2026

Hybrid: 2 online evenings, 2 in-person days at FranU St. Francis Hall, Baton Rouge

Late-July cohort in Baton Rouge.

Jul 28

Online Night 1 · Pregnancy Physiology & Complications

Virtual · Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST

Jul 29

Online Night 2 · Labor, Birth & Medications

Virtual · Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST

Jul 30

In-Person Day 1 · Pain Management & Comfort Measures

FranU · St. Francis Hall, Baton Rouge · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Jul 31

In-Person Day 2 · Postpartum, Newborn Care & Practice

FranU · St. Francis Hall, Baton Rouge · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Who this training is for.

Before You Apply

Anyone called to this work

No previous experience required. If you feel called to walk alongside families through pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of parenthood, you belong here.

People with no birth-work experience whatsoever
Anyone with lived experience of pregnancy or maternal health
Community members who want to give back to Louisiana mothers
Peer supporters, advocates, and friends-of-friends already doing the work informally
Nurses, midwives, and other birth workers seeking ICEA credentials

Prerequisites

At least 18 years of age
Complete all pre-work modules before Night 1
Reliable internet, computer or tablet with camera and microphone
Full attendance at all four live sessions (10% absence cap)

What you'll learn.

Physiology of birth

Stages and phases of labor, hormones, Six P's, ACOG active-labor thresholds.

Comfort measures

Counter-pressure, hip squeezes, rebozo, birth ball work, acupressure, water therapy.

Client interviewing

Active listening, social determinants of health screening, BRAIN framework.

Newborn care

Diapering, paced bottle feeding, burping, rebath method, newborn massage.

Scope of practice

Where the doula's role begins and ends. How to stay in your lane, gracefully.

Postpartum mental health

Perinatal mood disorders, postpartum psychosis, trauma-informed escalation.

What's included.

Your tuition includes everything you need to start the work.

The Data-Driven Doula — the full ICEA-approved curriculum textbook (5 units, 21 chapters), mailed to your door.
The Data-Driven Doula Student Workbook — companion workbook with reflection prompts, exercises, and exam prep, mailed with your textbook.
The Everything Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn — the parent-facing reference your clients will read alongside their care.
MHN Field Guide (2026) — our 48-page clinical reference. Available online any time through the doula portal — read in browser or download to your phone for the labor room.
Online course access — always-updated materials, refreshed each cohort.
5 ICEA Position Papers + quizzes — Family-Centered Maternity Care, Role and Scope, Physiologic Birth, and more.
Birth Vision Guide — Preview the PDF
Resource Guide template — your living SDOH reference, built on Canvas during the course.
Breakfast and lunch on both in-person days, plus your training certificate.

Recommended-but-optional deeper-study books are listed in the doula portal.

From Our Graduates

In their own words.

Why doulas keep coming back to Mary's Hands.

“
The biggest take away I received from Mary's Hands would have to be learning how important your words can be. Learning that the birthing person's voice should be heard the loudest in the room. I feel like Mary's Hands really put into perspective for me that you are not the mom's voice; you're just there to make sure mom knows she has one. I think that is the most special thing and something I will always remember to keep center in my work as a doula.
An MHN Graduate

“

I enjoyed the role-plays where we played the mom, doula, or nurse. That activity really helped me to realize what kind of doula I'd like to be, and boosted my confidence in my abilities to soothe and support.

On the role-plays

“

The instructors were knowledgeable, approachable, and passionate. They explained concepts clearly and encouraged questions and discussion.

On the instructors

“

I enjoyed the hands-on portion of the class. It helped me automatically step into my role as a doula by imagining my peers as my clients.

On the hands-on practice

“

This training reminded me how important it is to listen, support, and advocate for clients, especially when supporting people who may not always feel heard or supported in healthcare settings.

On what stays with them

After the Training

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition shouldn't stand between you and this work.

Scholarships

We offer full and partial scholarships to students committed to serving Louisiana families through our volunteer network. Scholarships are need-based and awarded on rolling application review.

Full Scholarship · $950 Value

Two-year service commitment

Full tuition waived in exchange for a two-year commitment to the MHN volunteer doula network. Support two client teams per year, four teams total over your two-year service period.

$500

Partial Scholarship · $450 Off

One-year service commitment

$450 off the $950 tuition in exchange for a one-year commitment to the volunteer doula network. Support two client teams during your service year.

How to apply: include a scholarship request in your July cohort application. All scholarship applicants are reviewed by a three-person MHN committee and receive a decision within ten business days. Materials (Field Guide, textbook, meals) are included regardless of tuition level.

Scholarship application coming soon

Attendance and assessment policy.

Attendance & assessment policy.

Grading is Pass/Fail. To pass, complete all pre-work, attend every live session (10% absence cap), and demonstrate required skills on instructor sign-off. You get two skills check-off opportunities, first on Day 1 (comfort measures), final on Day 2 (all skills). If you don't pass by Day 2, you'll retake the full course.

Refund policy. Exceeding the attendance cap without excused absence requires a full course retake. Refunds are at administrator discretion for documented medical, family, or professional emergencies.