What you’ll learn

• • Where HSA and FSA fit when employees want more support from you

• • Why lunch-and-learn programs are a natural extension of doula work

• • Topics that workplaces actually want and employees use

• • How to offer these sessions without creating more on-call stress

• • How to talk with employers in a way that feels professional and approachable

Why lunch-and-learns make sense for doulas

At some point, many practicing doulas start asking a quieter question.
“How long can I keep doing this exactly the way I’m doing it now?”

Lunch-and-learn wellness programs answer that question gently.

They let you bring your knowledge into spaces that already value education, prevention, and employee wellbeing. They are time-limited, predictable, and still deeply aligned with why you became a doula in the first place.

I’ve offered these sessions myself, and I’ve mentored doulas who’ve added them alongside birth work or shifted toward them more fully. What stands out every time is this: workplaces are hungry for practical, human information about pregnancy, birth, and returning to work. And doulas are already fluent in this language.

Topics that work well in a workplace setting

You don’t need to reinvent anything here. These are conversations you already have with clients, just translated into a group setting.

Some of the most effective lunch-and-learn topics include:

• Planning for returning to work after baby
  What to expect emotionally, logistically, and relationally. This is about realistic transitions, not perfection.

• Pumping and lactation basics at work
  Rights, rhythms, storage basics, and problem-solving in real life. Clear, calm information goes a long way here.

• Birth planning as stress reduction
  Framing birth planning as preparation and communication, not control, resonates strongly in professional spaces.

• Mental load and early parenthood
  Naming the invisible labor helps people feel seen, especially before they return to work.

• Partner communication before returning to work
  How to talk through expectations, responsibilities, and support before things feel urgent.

These sessions work just as well virtually as they do in person. Many employers prefer virtual because it increases access across teams and locations.

What this looks like in practice

This is not about building a complicated curriculum.

A typical lunch-and-learn is:

• 45–60 minutes

• Educational, not clinical

• Grounded in evidence and lived experience

• Focused on what people can actually use this week

You’re not on call.
You’re not troubleshooting emergencies.
You’re offering structured support, with clear start and end times.

For many doulas, that alone is a relief.

How to talk with employers without overselling yourself

You don’t need to convince employers that doulas are magical. You just need to help them see the practical value.

When approaching employers, or responding when one reaches out, it can help to frame your work like this:

• You support smoother transitions back to work after parental leave

• You reduce stress by answering common questions before they become crises

• You offer education that complements existing wellness initiatives

This is a soft, practical conversation. It’s less about “adding a new benefit” and more about “supporting employees during a high-impact life transition.”

Often, lunch-and-learns start small. One session. One department. One pilot. That’s enough.

Where HSA and FSA fit into the picture

Even when a company does not formally cover doula services, lunch-and-learns can open an important door.

Employees who attend your session may realize they want more support. That might look like:

• Birth doula services

• Postpartum planning sessions

• Lactation-focused education or support

In many cases, those services can be paid for using HSA or FSA funds, depending on the plan and documentation.

You don’t need to be the benefits expert. Your role is simply to let people know this may be an option for them and encourage them to check their plan details.

As relationships with employers grow, there is often more room to talk about expanded offerings, referrals, or formal partnerships later. But none of that has to happen on day one.

Why this fits real doula lives

What I hear again and again from doulas is this:
“I love my work, but I need it to fit my life better.”

Lunch-and-learn programs don’t replace birth work unless you want them to. They can sit alongside it. They can smooth out income. They can reduce burnout. They can keep you connected to families without always being on call.

And most importantly, they are doable.

You already have the knowledge.
You already know how to communicate with care.
This is simply another way to use those skills.

If you’ve been looking for a service that feels aligned, professional, and sustainable, this is one worth considering.

This also works well in libraries!