Tips for Managing On-Call Life Without Burning Out

One of the most common questions I hear from new or aspiring doulas is:
“Can I actually do this if I have another job?”

The short answer? Yes, you absolutely can.

It’s not always seamless, but with the right systems—and a little bit of flexibility—it’s completely possible to build your doula practice while working another job.

Whether you’re full-time, part-time, remote, or on your feet all day, you can still support clients and grow your business. It just takes a little intention and creativity.

Why So Many Doulas Start This Way

Let’s be real: it takes time to build a doula business. While you’re finding your first clients and growing your reputation in the community, your current job can help keep things financially steady. That steady income gives you breathing room while you ramp up your practice.

My Experience: The Tightrope Walk

Yes, I’ve done this too. I balanced doula work with another job—and while it felt like a tightrope walk at times, it worked because I had strong systems in place.

I was open with my boss, worked ahead when I could, and leaned on a solid backup doula team. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was doable—and absolutely worth it.

One doula I know even shared that she used to submit reports for her day job from the bathroom during downtime at a birth. It’s not glamorous, but it shows the kind of determination and flexibility doulas bring to the table.

What Makes It Tricky

Let’s not sugarcoat it—there are challenges, like:

• Figuring out when to use PTO and when to call in a backup
• Being honest with your boss about your doula work
• Feeling like you can’t fully experience birth work while still tied to another schedule
• Believing the myth that you can’t be a doula unless it’s your only job

That last one? Totally false. You absolutely can do both—and do them well.

Strategies That Actually Work

Here’s what I’ve learned (and what I share with the doulas I mentor):

• Work ahead. Get ahead on big projects so you’re not scrambling when labor starts.
• Be honest with your boss and talk to them often. Let them know your responsibilities and how you’ll meet them, even if it’s later that day or over the weekend. Talk about times that you may be too busy to take on clients and let your boss know, “Hey, I know we’re running that summit in May and I am off call and 100% dedicated to you that month.”
• Build a solid backup plan. Having trusted backups in place gives you peace of mind—and keeps your clients covered. Sometimes, this is multiple backups.
• Use PTO wisely. Know your policy and decide when stepping away makes sense—or when to tag in your backup instead. For example, if your client is in earlier labor and just needs a bit of support, and it’s an hour before the end of your work day – can you send your backup to cover that time until you can leave work?
• Be honest with your clients. Let your clients know that you work a day job. You are available for non-emergencies and client visits during non-work hours.
• Be honest with yourself. How many clients can you realistically take? Most people who successfully work a full-time job and do doula work realize that more than 1-2 clients a month is challenging. Maybe it’s one primp and a multip to make it a bit easier.
• Take time off from being a doula. Just like you take vacations from your day job, be sure you also take time off as a doula. Have months where you aren’t taking clients. Overall be sure you have time where you’re completely off from both.

And one more tip: keep a written list of your job duties and how they’ll be handled in your absence. It’s especially helpful if you’ve already knocked out some tasks early.

What Jobs Work Best with Doula Work?

While freelance, part-time, and remote roles tend to be the most flexible, the truth is that any job can work—as long as there’s some communication and willingness on both sides.

I’ve seen doulas make it work as nurses, teachers, nonprofit staff, admins, and more. In some workplaces, you might not even need to use PTO—as long as the work gets done, your employer may not care when it happens.

Tools, Boundaries, and Staying Sane

Keeping everything straight takes some support. I recommend:

• Shared calendars to track availability and birth windows
• Task managers to keep on top of both roles
• Clear client expectations, including when and how they’ll hear from you
• Backup doula contact info shared early with clients
• Communication boundaries that protect your time and energy

Just because you can do both jobs doesn’t mean you need to push yourself to the limit all the time.

Burnout is Real—And Preventable

You might be balancing everything just fine… until you’re not. Watch for signs like:

• Dreading birth calls
• Feeling constantly fatigued
• Losing focus or struggling to be present

If this starts happening, it’s time to reassess. Maybe you take fewer clients, ask for more flexibility at work, or build in more recovery time between births. Your well-being is essential—don’t sacrifice it just to prove you can “do it all.”

You Don’t Have to Choose Right Away

Some doulas start out with a full-time job and gradually shift to full-time doula work. Others genuinely enjoy their jobs and choose to keep doula work part-time. Both are valid.

There’s no one way to structure your doula business. There’s only your way—and it can evolve over time.

Yes, you can be a doula while working another job. It might take some juggling, backup planning, and boundary setting—but it’s absolutely doable.

And if you want guidance on how to manage the business side—getting clients, making time for marketing, or setting up systems—Doula Office Hours is here for you.