Sigma Cohort · October 26–31, 2026 · Birth Doula Training Now accepting clients due September 2026 & beyond Full & partial scholarships available Learn more Now accepting applications for the Sigma Cohort
Next Birth Doula Training · Sigma Cohort · Our 18th Birth Doula Cohort · Sigma Cohort

Birth Doula Training.Sigma Cohort · October 26–31, 2026 · Baton Rouge

A five-day ICEA-approved birth doula training. Four live online evenings plus one full in-person day. Forty hours of training in total: 24 live contact hours plus 16 hours of independent pre-work, with mentorship and ongoing network support throughout your time as a volunteer. Volunteer-track scholarships available.

Scholarship applications close Sat, Sep 26, 2026 11:59 PM CST
Scholarship interviews Sep 29–Oct 1, 2026 9 AM–5 PM CST
Scholarship acceptance notice Fri, Oct 2, 2026 Decisions emailed
Course registration closes Fri, Oct 9, 2026 5:00 PM CST
Pre-work begins Mon, Oct 12, 2026 DoulaCare app opens
Class begins Mon, Oct 26, 2026 Live Virtual Night 1, 5:30 PM CST

In-person day venue: Baton Rouge (location to be announced). Interested in hosting us? Contact info@mhndoula.com.

Interested in hosting the Sigma Cohort? We’re looking for a Baton Rouge venue that can accommodate 20–25 participants for a full day on Saturday, October 31. Reach out at info@mhndoula.com.

New here? Start with our Education & Training overview

Graduating MHN doula cohort after completing training
A graduating cohort
MHN's most recent cohort at graduation, May 2026
May 2026 graduation

October 12–31, 2026 · Pre-Work + Five Class Days

Hybrid format: self-paced pre-work + 4 live online evenings via Microsoft Teams + 1 in-person day in Baton Rouge (venue TBD)

40 hours of training total (24 live contact hours + 16 independent) · ICEA-approved curriculum · Pass/Fail grading

Hybrid · Pre-Work + 4 + 1 Format
Oct 12–25Pre-Work
Self-PacedOnline Coursework · DoulaCare
16 hours of independent coursework · Firm deadline: end of day Sun, Oct 25 at 11:59 PM CST · ICEA position papers, pre-work modules, quizzes
Oct 26Monday
Live VirtualNight 1 · Pregnancy Physiology & Complications
Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST
Oct 27Tuesday
Live VirtualNight 2 · Labor, Birth & Medications
Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST
Oct 28Wednesday
Live VirtualNight 3 · Comfort Measures & Pain Management
Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST
Oct 29Thursday
Live VirtualNight 4 · Postpartum & Newborn Care
Microsoft Teams · 5:30–8:00 PM CST
Oct 31Saturday
In-PersonDay 1 · Skills Practice & Check-Off
Baton Rouge (venue TBD) · 8:30 AM–4:30 PM CST · Breakfast & lunch provided · Skills check-off

Prerequisites.

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

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Complete all pre-work modules in DoulaCare (16 hours of independent coursework) before Night 1
  • Have reliable internet plus a computer or tablet with camera and microphone
  • Commit to full attendance at all five live sessions (all sessions required)

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.

Scholarships & Self-Pay Registration

Applying for the cohort.

On the application, you will select your registration type and the form will adjust accordingly. Need-based scholarships are available in two tiers, or you can register as a self-pay participant.

A non-refundable $50 application fee is required.

Your application will not be reviewed until payment is received. You will receive a payment link by email within 24 hours of submitting any application form (scholarship or self-pay).

$0You pay
$2,000Scholarship value

Full Scholarship

2-year volunteer service commitment after graduation

What's required to apply

  • Cohort application with scholarship section completed (income, household size, dependents)
  • Personal statement (1–2 pages): why you want to serve as a doula, what community you'd serve, and any lived experience that grounds you
  • Professional headshot (uploaded with your application — used for your doula profile when you join the network)
  • Virtual interview with the scholarship committee (15–20 minutes, scheduled after application)
  • Signed Service Agreement confirming you understand the 2-year commitment to volunteer with MHN families after completing training

What the 2-year commitment looks like

  • Carry an active doula caseload (typically 3–6 families per year)
  • Attend monthly continuing-education sessions
  • Complete birth requirements and CEUs toward ICEA certification
  • Communicate openly with your Volunteer Coordinator about availability
Materials (textbook, workbook, Field Guide, meals) are included regardless of tuition tier.
$750You pay

Partial Scholarship

1-year volunteer service commitment after graduation

What's required to apply

  • Cohort application with scholarship section completed
  • Personal statement (1–2 pages): why you want this training, what community you'd serve, and any lived experience that grounds you
  • Professional headshot (uploaded with your application — used for your doula profile when you join the network)
  • Virtual interview with the scholarship committee (15–20 minutes, scheduled after application)
  • Signed Service Agreement confirming the 1-year commitment to volunteer with MHN families

What the 1-year commitment looks like

  • Carry an active caseload (typically 2–4 families)
  • Attend monthly continuing-education sessions
  • Maintain CEUs through the service year
Tuition balance ($750) is paid after acceptance. Payment plans available; ask on your application.
Not applying for a scholarship?

Self-Pay Registration

Self-pay tuition is $1,500 (course value: $2,000). Materials, meals, and certificate included. No service commitment. You will receive a payment link by email within 24 hours of submitting the self-pay form.

Self-Pay form
Scholarship applications close Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST Interviews Sep 29–Oct 1 · acceptance notice Fri Oct 2 · course registration closes Fri, Oct 9 at 5:00 PM CST
Start your application
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
In the Cohort

What training looks like.

Hands-on practice, classroom instruction, and a network of women who show up for each other.

Trainees comparing birth ball sizes during hands-on practice
Hands-on practice
Trainees seated on birth balls in classroom
Hands-on classroom
Trainees practicing side-lying comfort position
Position coaching
Two MHN doulas practicing rebozo at the training table
Rebozo practice
Cohort working through pre-work at long tables
Classroom instruction
A postpartum support lecture in progress
Postpartum lecture

Attendance & Refund Policy

Grading is Pass/Fail. Complete all pre-work, attend all five live sessions (all sessions required), and demonstrate required skills on instructor sign-off. Skills check-off takes place on the in-person day. If you don’t pass, you’ll retake the full course.

Refunds. Missing any session without excused absence requires a full course retake. Refunds are at administrator discretion for documented medical, family, or professional emergencies.

After Training: Your Next Steps

From graduation to your first family.

Training is the start, not the finish. Here's what comes next as an MHN volunteer doula.

01

Join the volunteer doula network

You're paired with a coordinator who matches you to clients based on your availability, geography, and birth philosophy. You never work alone, every birth runs as a two-doula team.

02

Get the MHN Field Guide

Your year-round companion through every birth and postpartum visit. Comfort measures, complications, scope-of-practice guidance, charting templates, escalation pathways. Online anytime, updated yearly.

03

Get connected with clients

Families apply through MHN's For Families page. Coordinators screen, intake, and assign within days. Prenatal visits, on-call labor support, and two postpartum visits per family.

04

The benefits you'll receive

  • Free ICEA exam prep + practice quizzes
  • Hospital privileging at partner institutions
  • Monthly continuing-education sessions (free CEUs)
  • Liability coverage on every MHN birth
  • Two-doula team backup so you're never on call solo
  • Birth-debrief sessions with trained peer support
Curious what families see?

Visit the For Families page.

See exactly what mothers experience when they apply for an MHN doula. It's the same page you'll point your future clients to.

Visit For Families
Route to ICEA Certification

Your route to ICEA Certified Birth Doula.

MHN graduates follow ICEA’s traditional Birth Doula Pathway. You never work alone: two-doula teams, staff coordinator support, hospital privileging, and free ICEA exam prep for active volunteers.

01

Complete coursework

Pre-work, all live sessions, and skills check-offs.

02

Earn three births

Attend a minimum of three births of at least six hours each.

03

Submit to ICEA

Package your evidence and submit through ICEA’s pathway.

04

Pass the exam

Sit for the proctored ICEA exam (separate fee, paid to ICEA).

For Graduates: Practicing in Louisiana

After training, here's what comes next.

Once you've completed your three volunteer births, here are the two practical steps every graduate asks about.

Joining the Louisiana Doula Registry

Louisiana’s Department of Health maintains the official Doula Registry. Practicing as a registered doula in the state requires a few specific steps:

  • Hold a training certificate from an ICEA-approved organization (MHN graduates qualify)
  • Submit your registry application to LDH with documentation
  • Complete state-required training in trauma-informed care, implicit bias, and child abuse reporting
  • Maintain CEUs to keep your registration active

The full requirements live on the LA Department of Health doula registry page; we walk our graduates through the application as part of the Workforce Development pillar.

Billing insurance for your services

Louisiana state law now requires both Medicaid and commercial insurers to cover doula services for eligible clients. Once you’re on the state registry, you can:

  • Bill Louisiana Medicaid for prenatal visits, labor support, and postpartum visits
  • Bill commercial insurance for the same services under the parity provision
  • Use HCPCS codes the LDH publishes for reimbursable doula encounters

Reimbursement rates and exact code requirements are set by LDH; we cover the practical side of billing in our post-graduation Volunteer Coordinator support sessions.

Apply for the Sigma Cohort

Say yes to five days that change everything.

Scholarship applications close Sat, Sep 26. Course registration closes Fri, Oct 9 at 5 PM CST. A non-refundable $50 application fee applies.

Apply for the Sigma Cohort

Questions? Get in touch  ·  Need a doula? Apply for one

Coming Soon · Save the Date

Can’t make the Sigma Cohort? The next one is coming.

The Tau Cohort is heading to Lafayette, Louisiana — our 19th training overall. Registration and scholarship applications will open soon.

December 7–12, 2026
Lafayette, Louisiana (venue TBD)
Scholarships available · funded by Louisiana Blue Foundation

More details coming soon. Check back here or contact us to be notified when registration opens.

Tau Cohort
Dec
7–12
2026