Doula Reading Lists: Certification, Postpartum, and Business Books
Doulas read a lot, for certification, for clients, and for the business. These are the lists I keep for each. Many of the books are easy to borrow, and affiliate earnings from the certification lists help fund scholarships for doula training.
For certification
If you are working toward certification, start with the DONA birth doula certification reading list. The list is set by DONA International, and the post shows how to work through it without spending a small fortune, starting with your library card. Postpartum doulas have their own: the postpartum reading list follows the same format for the postpartum certification.
For the business
Business books for doulas collects the titles I keep recommending to doulas who are building, pricing, or stabilizing their practice. Pick the one that fits where you are now instead of buying all nine. For more, six books for your doula business adds a few more favorites.
For the love of birth
Some books are not for any requirement at all. Books doulas love to read is a list of birth stories and perspectives worth reading between clients.
If you are working toward certification
My birth doula training is approved by DONA International, and the birth doula reading list above is the one my students work through.
