FAMILY DOULA TRAINING
Become a certified doula to support your friend or family member. Ideal for Lovers, Partners, Spouses, Parents, Grandparents, Aunties, Siblings, Cousins and more!
New Classes Begin Winter & Spring 2026!
"Birth belongs to the family, and doulas belong to the community-not the system."-Okunsola M. Amadou
Families are meant to be sacred, safe and caring spaces for everyone-especially pregnant mothers and new babies. The culture, heritage and wisdom of childbirth is historically woven into the fabric of every family, held in place by the elders. At Jamaa Birth Village, we've heard from Nanas, GG's and Grandmas that that wisdom, as well as the family's midwives and doulas have been lost in many family lineages due to the systemic erasue of Grand midwives and our the birthing culture of African, African American and Indigenous families. Jamaa Birth Village stands as a bridge to reestablish the family lineage of birth workers-including doulas.
If you feel called to be a doula in your family, serving those who you love and care for the most, throughout the perinatal journey, then this training is for you. This training is prepared to activate and awakening the gifts and skills relating to childbirth that already exist in your family line. This training also prepares you for practicing during modern times relating to home, birth center and hospital care.
Topics to be covered are:
- Cultural and heritage based birth companion care based on African American folk healing, practices and ways
- Normal physiologic experiences throughout the perinatal period
- Common complications throughout the perinatal period
- Healing and prevention modalities
- Comfort measures
- Creating the blueprint plans for the family giving birth
- Navigating the murky waters of the medical industrial complex
- Advocating & Elevating during challenges
- Foodways & More....
Who Should Apply?
- Elders- Great Grandmas, Grandmas, Aunties and more. It's important that the matriarchs and leaders of the family who once held this knowledge and wisdom, receive access to this knowledge and wisdom again to restore the family lineage and preserve the cultural heritage of birth companion care.
- Lovers, Partners & Spouses: You are the closest to the person giving birth, knowing what brings them joy, comfort, peace, and ease. We need you to know all things about being a doula, from conception, to loss to birth, to postpartum and parenting.
- Sisters, Cousins, & Siblings: Whether you were born through the same parents, family line or through marriage, you share a common core thread with your family member planning to birth. It takes a family to support the birthing of a new family, and with your knowledge, wisdom and support as a doula in your family, you can play a role alongside the elders and partners in taking care of the mother and newborn(s).
- Godsisters & Godmothers: You're family, spiritual and sacred family, and you, out of everyone, need to be grounded in what the childbirth experience is and how you can support the new parent and newborn as a doula
This is a 3-day in-person and virtual training, elevates the birth companion and family care skills that family members already have.
This training is free and scholarship based and for people who are serious about rebuilding their family lineage of birth workers. Maximum of 3-family members per training.
YOU WILL BE WELL VERSED IN:
Ready to begin your Doula journey?
Required Course Prerequisites
This is the only Doula training in the nation preparing students for excellence with foundational maternal health prerequisites, prior to beginning the official doula training.
Hybrid Learning
Doula training students will experience both live virtual learning and in-person hands on learning and practice sessions, with national, senior level, advanced and experienced Doula trainers.
Doula Exam
An exam will be provided at the end of training to ensure the success of each Doula.
Optional mentorship
Each Doula student will have an opportunity for optional mentorship, with a pre-approved Elder-Senior Doulas post doula training.
Certification
A 2-Year Certified Doula Certificate & Doula Collective Membership will be granted to Doula graduates.
Family Doula Kit
Each Doula graduate will receive a family doula startup kit with the basic essential tools you need to support your family member as their doula.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need to first complete the doula application and registration form, review the virtual overview discussing course requirements and have consistent access to a laptop/pc, wifi, Microsoft word or google docs, transportation and dedication to get the doula training & certification process completed.
Once the registration process is completed, you will be assigned to an upcoming training. You will need to complete the online prerequisites, attend live virtual training sessions, attend an in-person training session, and the final doula exam.
Scholarships are available for low-income people or for those whose household income to expense ratio is over the national average, providing a barrier to pay doula training tuition. As well, if there is limited access to Doulas in your community, you may also qualify for a scholarship. To qualify, you would first need to complete the application and review the virtual course requirements sent via email post registration.
You may re-certify every 2-years by attending a maternal-holistic health, reproductive justice or community advocacy workshop or training that provide CEU's. You'll need to submit proof of 10-CEU's over the course of the 2-years and email the CEU certificates to info@jamaabirthvillage.org. You'll then receive an updated certificate in the mail.
If doula mentors are available, we will work with you to assign a mentor who aligns with your schedule and needs.
The business side of Doula work will be discussed during doula training, but ultimately, it's up to you if you just want to serve family members and friends, or if you intend to start your own Doula business or apply for different doula positions available.
The state of Missouri now reimburses for doula care for individuals who are eligible for Medicaid. We have the “Sankofa Doula Program” that covers full doula care support through generous donors for those who have proof of limited/ no income (the examples are listed on the form when clients book a consultation). We don’t always have funding but we do try to cover all or some of the cost depending on funding.
We also have a sliding pay scale for all doula care based on household income as well. I would suggest directing patients to the website to schedule a “begin your care virtual appointment “ which will allow the Program Coordinator to assess which would work best for the client and the form allows them to upload the necessary documents.
Friday I walked into my first day of Doula certification training not knowing what to expect. We graduated yesterday, and today I am having withdrawal symptoms. I miss being surrounded by their love. I miss seeing the happiness and sadness on their beautiful faces. I miss hearing their personal struggles. I missed how the room naturally filled with love. I miss those warm hugs. I miss the loudness. I miss how Ms. Tru looked at us with pride. I miss how they loved & respected me. I miss all of those strangers that became my tribe.
- New Doula Sharon
I’m on cloud nine right now I can’t even fall to sleep you’re an amazing inspirational instructor can’t wait to do more work with you’re so dope BOSS!!!!!
- Micai
I took Jamaa's doula class. It was life changing for me and so many other people that were in our class. Thank you Okunsola, you are amazing."