Common questions about our ICEA-approved Birth Doula Training program.
Our next training: July 28–31, 2026 in Baton Rouge, in partnership with Franciscan University.
Apply or Register NowDoula training prepares you to provide non-medical informational, emotional, and physical support to families through pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. MHN's program is ICEA-approved and combines coursework, hands-on practice, mentorship, and community service in our volunteer network.
No. We welcome anyone with a heart for service. Many of our doulas come from outside healthcare. Curiosity, compassion, and reliability matter more than credentials.
Cohorts typically run in summer and fall. Our next training is July 28–31, 2026 in Baton Rouge, in partnership with Franciscan University. Applications open soon, email info@mhndoula.com to be the first to know.
Training takes place in Baton Rouge with hybrid in-person and virtual components, and includes hands-on labor practice and clinical observation. Volunteers serve clients across all five Louisiana healthcare regions after certification.
The full ICEA-approved training is offered for a tuition cost that includes all materials, ICEA exam fees, and ongoing mentorship. Email us for the current tuition rate. Scholarships are available, see below.
MHN is committed to making training accessible. We offer need-based scholarships, partial-tuition scholarships, and a small number of full-tuition scholarships each cohort, with priority for applicants who reflect the communities we serve.
Mark "scholarship" on your training application. The MHN Director will reach out within a few business days with the short scholarship form. We try to make this as low-friction as possible.
The four-day intensive blends classroom instruction, hands-on labor support practice, group discussion, and time with senior MHN doulas. Days run roughly 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. You'll leave the week ready to attend your first births.
You'll be paired with a senior MHN doula mentor and supported through your first three to five births. You complete the ICEA exam, finish required reading, and submit reflective birth narratives. Most trainees become certified within four to six months of the intensive.
Yes. After the intensive you begin attending births alongside an experienced MHN doula. You're never sent into a labor room alone before you're ready. Mentorship continues until you and your mentor agree you're ready to lead.
Once certified, MHN doulas commit to one year of volunteer service in our network, supporting at least two client families during that time. The year of service is what makes our care free for the families we serve.
You earn the ICEA Certified Birth Doula (ICBD) credential, an internationally recognized certification through the International Childbirth Education Association.
ICEA certification is renewed every three years through continuing education and active practice. MHN provides ongoing training and continuing-ed opportunities to keep your certification current.
Yes. Many MHN-trained doulas also build private doula practices alongside their volunteer work. Your ICEA certification belongs to you regardless of where you serve.
The intensive happens in Baton Rouge, but our volunteer network serves all five Louisiana healthcare regions. Trainees from across the state are welcome.
Housing is not included in tuition. We can share recommendations for affordable lodging near the training site, and we work with regional applicants to coordinate carpools when possible.
Email info@mhndoula.com or text the doula hotline at (225) 424-7532. We answer every inquiry within two business days.