When someone asks what you do, how confident are you in your answer?

If you’re like a lot of doulas, especially in those early years, you probably say something like: 

“I support people through birth.”

Or maybe: “I help all kinds of families have better birth experiences.”

And while those are true, they’re also… kinda forgettable.

Here’s the deal: you need a clear, specific, emotionally resonant one-liner that explains what problem you solve. It’s how people remember you. It’s how your next client says, “Oh wow, I need that.”

Why a One-Liner Matters for Doulas

Your one-liner isn’t about sounding polished. It’s about helping the right people find you.

Your potential clients are out there wondering:

• • “Will I have to advocate for myself alone?”

• • “What if I panic during labor?”

• • “Can I do this without being pressured into things I don’t want?”

• • “Will anyone actually listen to me?”

Your one-liner should answer one of those kinds of problems. It should name the challenge and hint at how your presence changes the story.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s talk about the traps I see doulas fall into (and yep, I’ve done them too):

• • Being too vague. Saying “I support all births!” sounds lovely, but it doesn’t tell anyone why they should reach out to you. It’s like yelling into the void.

• • Trying to appeal to everyone. I used to say things like, “I’m there for everyone in every birth!” but I ended up attracting no one. Once I got clear, clients started saying, “You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

• • Making it about you. A one-liner is less about your passion and more about their problem. It’s a client-facing message, not a resume line.

How to Start: Three Simple Prompts

Grab a notebook (or your Notes app) and jot down some thoughts:

1. 1. What struggles do your favorite clients talk about? (Ex: Fear of not being heard, stress around hospital policies, previous traumatic birth.)

1. 1. What are you really good at in a birth room? (Ex: Holding space, offering practical info, calming anxious partners.)

1. 1. Who do you feel most called to serve? (Ex: Queer families, first-time parents, people planning VBACs, clients with chronic conditions, Black birthing people.)

Real-Life One-Liner Examples for Birth Doulas

Here are some real and reworked one-liners that actually answer the question: What problem do you solve?

General & New Parent-Focused:

• • I help first-time parents feel less scared and more prepared for birth.

• • I support pregnant people who don’t want to feel alone or overwhelmed in labor.

• • I guide clients through birth so they feel informed, supported, and in control.

Trauma-Aware & Advocacy-Focused:

• • I help people navigate birth without losing their voice or choices.

• • I support clients who’ve had a traumatic birth and want this one to feel different.

• • I work with people who want to understand their options—not just be told what to do.

Inclusive & Identity-Affirming:

• • I provide inclusive, affirming support so queer and trans families feel safe and seen during birth and postpartum.

• • I support Black birthing people who want culturally grounded, emotionally steady birth support.

• • I work with disabled parents to plan a birth that meets their needs and honors their autonomy.

Specialty or Niche Support:

• • I support people planning a VBAC to feel mentally and physically prepared for the journey.

• • I help clients who want a low-intervention birth in a hospital setting.

• • I walk with people birthing in medicalized spaces who still want to feel human and heard.

Your Turn: Draft Your One-Liner

It might not be perfect on the first try — that’s okay. Here’s a simple formula to help:

I help [who you serve] with [the problem they have] so they can [outcome or feeling you help them reach].

Examples:

• • I help anxious first-time parents prepare for birth so they can feel calm and confident.

• • I support Black birthing people navigating hospital births so they feel heard and respected.

• • I guide clients planning an induction so they know their options and feel in control.

Want Feedback?

I’d love to see what you come up with.

🧡 Share your one-liner in our group and tag me — we’ll workshop it together and cheer each other on:
👉 Doula Business Strategy & Support Facebook Group

You never know who might read your one-liner and think: “That’s the doula I’ve been looking for.”