If you’re looking to expand your reach and make doula support more accessible to families, you might want to look into Carrot. Carrot is a fertility and maternity benefits service that connects employees with inclusive, evidence-based care—including doula services. And yes, they do pay doulas directly.

Here’s how to get started and what you need to know.

What Is Carrot?

Carrot partners with employers to offer fertility, pregnancy, and parenting benefits. That means if someone works at a company with Carrot benefits, they may be able to use their employer-provided funds to pay for doula support, if the doula is an approved Carrot provider.

This opens up a new pathway to get paid for your work, especially if you’re in an area with Carrot-covered employers.

How to Apply as a Doula

Applying to Carrot is a little different than other directory-style platforms. There’s no formal application on their website, you’ll need to start the process via email.

Step 1: Email Carrot

Send an email to:
📧 doula@get-carrot.com

This email kicks off the process. Be brief and professional, something like:

“Hello, I’m interested in becoming a doula provider through Carrot. Could you please send me more information about the application process?”

Step 2: Consent to Terms

You’ll get an automatic reply first asking you to agree to their terms and conditions. You must respond and agree to proceed further.

Step 3: Submit Your Information

Once you’ve agreed, they’ll send you a form to complete with your details and credentials. The approval process can take a little time, but doulas have reported that it’s fairly straightforward.

What Are the Requirements?

Carrot does have a set of eligibility criteria for doulas. You can read the full list here:
👉 Doula Provider Requirements (Google Doc)

A few highlights from the list:

 

• • You must be an actively practicing doula with recent experience.

• • Certification is not strictly required, but they do want verification of your training and experience.

• • You need to have a business bank account or payment processor (e.g. Stripe, Venmo, etc.) that allows for direct deposit. (Many doulas meet this requirement by setting up an LLC, but it’s not always mandatory depending on your setup.)

• • Active professional liability insurance is required, with an aggregate coverage of $ 1,000,000.

Make sure you review the full document carefully before applying, so you can be prepared with the right documentation.

Why This Matters

Getting listed as a Carrot provider can:

 

• • Give you access to clients who have funding set aside specifically for doula support.

• • Help you reach families you might not otherwise connect with.

• • Offer a more predictable payment process compared to private pay.

It’s not a fit for every doula or every client, but it can be a great addition to your income streams, especially if you’re focused on sustainability and visibility.

Questions?

This process can bring up a few questions, like:

 

• • What should I say in my first email?

• • How long does the process take?

• • Do I need to be certified?

• • How does payment work?

You’re not alone! Come ask your questions and see what other doulas are saying in the Grow Your Doula Business Facebook Group. I’ve opened up a thread there so we can support each other through the process: