How to Gain Experience as a Doula

One of the most common questions aspiring doulas ask is whether they need to watch a birth before starting their work. The simple answer? No, you don’t. In fact, more than 40% of doulas haven’t given birth or seen a baby born before their training.

While most doula certification organizations require you to attend births as part of your certification process, observing a birth and serving a family as a doula are two completely different experiences.

Watching Birth vs. Supporting Birth

Being a doula isn’t about watching a baby emerge—it’s about providing continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person. You don’t need to witness birth in advance to do that well. Your focus should be on how to support laboring clients, not just watching what happens during birth.

Ways to Prepare for Birth Without Attending One

Even if you haven’t seen a birth before, there are many ways to prepare:

• Doula Training – Training programs include birth videos, hands-on skills practice, simulations, and discussions of real-world scenarios.
• Birth Videos & Documentaries – Watching births on YouTube or in educational settings can help you understand variations in labor.
• Scenario Discussions – Talking through different birth situations with experienced doulas builds your confidence.
• Hands-On Comfort Measures – Practicing techniques like counterpressure, massage, and positioning ensures you’re ready to support clients.

Can You Observe a Birth Before Becoming a Doula?

In most cases, hospitals and birth centers do not allow non-medical personnel to observe births unless they have a special connection (e.g., a nursing student or a family member of a healthcare provider). Some doulas have had opportunities to observe births through midwives, but these chances are rare.

Additionally, having an extra person in the room just watching can inhibit labor. Privacy and a sense of safety are crucial for labor hormones to flow properly, and having someone observing without participating in support can actually slow down or stall labor.

Shadowing Another Doula: Is It Worth It?

Many new doulas ask if they can shadow an experienced doula to gain insight into the work. While this might sound like a great learning opportunity, there are some key challenges:

1. It’s Difficult to Find Parents Who Agree – Families are already vulnerable during birth, and adding an extra person in the room—especially someone who isn’t there to directly support them—can feel intrusive.
2. You Likely Can’t Count These Births Toward Certification – Most certifying organizations require you to be the primary doula to count a birth toward certification. If you’re shadowing, you’re not actively serving as the doula.
3. You Won’t Get Much More Than Watching a Birth Video – Since a shadowing doula isn’t actively participating, they often observe from the sidelines, which isn’t much different from watching a well-filmed birth video.
4. The Value Comes from the Post-Birth Debrief – If you do shadow a doula, make sure there’s a clear plan for a debrief after the birth. Talking through the experience, asking questions, and reflecting on what happened is far more valuable than just being present.

Watch Out for Predatory Practices

Some doulas charge new doulas to attend births with them. While paying for a debrief session is reasonable (since their time and expertise have value), you should never have to pay just to be in the room. If a doula is charging you a fee to shadow them without offering structured learning, that’s a red flag.

When in doubt, ask other doulas if the arrangement sounds legitimate. A good mentor should be focused on supporting your growth—not just making money off of you.

Preparing for Your First Birth as a Doula

Instead of stressing over whether you’ve seen a birth before, focus on what really matters:

• Remember that your client hired you for a reason—they trust you to support them.
• Births are unpredictable; experience at other births doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the one you’re attending now.
• Practicing hands-on comfort measures and talking through real-life scenarios with experienced doulas can be far more helpful than observing a birth as an outsider.

Certification Requirements: Do You Need to See a Birth First?

While most doula certification organizations require you to attend a certain number of births to get certified, they do not require you to have witnessed a birth before training. If you’re feeling nervous about attending your first birth, ask yourself: What would actually make me feel more confident?

Often, the answer isn’t more experience—it’s feeling prepared, knowing what to expect, and trusting your ability to serve the birthing person.

If you’ve been wondering whether you need to see a birth before becoming a doula, the answer is clear: No, you don’t. Focus on building your skills, preparing for real-world situations, and developing confidence in your ability to support your clients.

And if you need more guidance, Doula Office Hours is a great place to connect with experienced professionals who can help you navigate the early stages of your doula career. You don’t have to figure this out alone!