A Day in the Life of a Doula: What to Expect in This Rewarding Role

When people ask me, “So what does a doula actually do?” I always smile. Not because it’s a silly question (it isn’t), but because the answer is both simple and complex.

On the surface, doulas provide practical, emotional and informational support for women and families during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. But underneath that, there’s a rhythm to the role that’s deeply personal. No two days are ever the same.

So what might a day in the life of a doula actually look like? Let’s walk through it together.

Morning: Emails, Birth Bags and On-Call Life

If you’re a birth doula, mornings can be unpredictable. Sometimes you’ll wake up to a quiet day with nothing pressing. Other times, you’ll roll over, check your phone, and see that the call has come in: your client is in labour.

On-call life means your phone is always within reach. You’re ready to head out at any hour. Many doulas keep a packed “doula bag” by the door, full of snacks, essential oils, electric candles, a speaker for birth playlists, and a change of clothes, among other things.

If the phone doesn’t ring, mornings are often about gentle preparation:

• Answering client emails

• Checking in with a family by text

• Reviewing birth plans or notes

• Preparing resources for antenatal sessions

A postnatal doula may start the morning by driving to a family’s home, ready to spend a few hours offering support. That might mean folding laundry, making a nourishing meal, or simply sitting with a new mum while she shares her story of the night before.

Supporting Birth: Long Hours, Deep Presence

When the call comes that labour has started, your day (and night) can shift completely.

You might find yourself heading to a hospital, birth centre or family home. Every journey feels slightly electric; your heart beats faster, knowing you’re about to step into a sacred space.

Once with your client, your role is to hold space. Sometimes that means massaging their lower back through contractions. Sometimes it’s whispering words of reassurance or reminding them that they can ask for what they need. At other times, it’s simply sitting quietly in the corner, keeping the energy calm.

Here’s a real-life example:

One of my clients was in the hospital, facing a decision about whether to continue with her induction. She looked at me with fear in her eyes and said, “I don’t know what to do.” My role wasn’t to decide for her, but to slow everything down. I asked, “What do you need to know to feel clearer?” That question opened the door for her midwife to explain options more fully. In the end, she made the choice that felt right for her, and she later told me, “You gave me the space to breathe.”

That’s what doulas do.

Birth work is rarely a tidy 9-5. You might be at a birth for 6 hours, or for 26. You’re there until the baby is born, until the parents feel safe and settled. It’s demanding, but it’s also some of the most meaningful work you’ll ever do.

Postnatal Visits: Tea, Laundry and Deep Listening

If you’re a postnatal doula, your day might look very different. Instead of waiting for a birth call, you’ll head to a client’s home at a pre-arranged time.

These visits are unique because they’re shaped entirely around what the family needs. Sometimes that means practical tasks, putting on the dishwasher, changing the bed, or holding the baby so mum can shower. Other times, it’s emotional, listening as she processes her birth experience, without judgement or pressure.

One new mother once told me, “I feel like I should know what I’m doing, but I don’t.” My response wasn’t to give her a list of instructions, but to sit beside her and say, “You don’t have to know everything. You’re learning each day, and that takes time.”

That moment of reassurance, that quiet presence, is often worth more than any chore.

Afternoon: Antenatal Sessions and Preparation

When not at a birth or postnatal visit, afternoons are often filled with antenatal sessions. These are usually 1-2 hour meetings where doulas sit down with expectant parents to explore their hopes, fears, and birth preferences.

Topics might include:

• Understanding the stages of labour

• Exploring comfort measures (like breathing, movement, massage)

• Discussing pain management options

• Writing a birth plan or “preferences list”

• Preparing for the first weeks with a newborn

• Breastfeeding basics

Unlike a formal antenatal class, a doula’s approach is highly personalised. One family might want to practise relaxation techniques. Another may want to role-play how to handle hospital conversations. Another may just want to talk about their first birth experience and how to approach things differently this time.

Every session is different because every family is different.

Evening: Family, Reflection and Rest (Sometimes)

If you’re not at a birth or doing an evening postnatal shift, or an antenatal session, your evenings are your own. But many doulas use this time to catch up on admin, update notes, or reflect on the day.

Self-care is essential. Doulas give a lot of emotional energy, so evenings might include a hot bath, journaling, or an early night.

Sometimes, though, you’ll be heading out again. Postnatal night shifts are common, especially for families who need help with sleep. These shifts often involve supporting the baby through the night so the parents can rest. It’s practical, loving, and deeply appreciated.

The Emotional Side of Doula Work

A day in the life of a doula isn’t just about tasks. It’s about connection.

You’ll celebrate first smiles, witness tears, and sometimes share in grief. You’ll hear birth stories that need to be told a hundred times. You’ll sit in silence while someone gathers the courage to trust their body.

Through it all, you’ll learn that being a doula isn’t about having the perfect words or the right technique. It’s about showing up with your full heart.

Challenges Doulas Face

It’s important to be real: doula work isn’t always easy.

• You’ll have sleepless nights.

• You’ll sometimes juggle childcare or other commitments.

• You’ll face moments of self-doubt.

But here’s the truth: those challenges are balanced by the immense joy of knowing you made a difference. You won’t remember the laundry you folded, but you’ll never forget the look on a mother’s face when she says, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

So, What Do Doulas Really Do?

If you take nothing else away from this, let it be this: doulas walk alongside.

We don’t “deliver babies”. Babies aren’t “delivered”; pizzas are, and babies are born.

We don’t replace midwives or doctors.

We don’t tell families what to do.

What we do is support, listen and nurture. We offer reassurance, practical help and a calm presence. We remind parents of their strength and their choices, so they can feel confident and supported.

That’s the magic of the role, and why so many people feel called to it.

Could Doula Training Be Your Next Step?

If reading this makes your heart beat faster, maybe it’s time to listen.

Training as a doula opens the door to meaningful, flexible work. You don’t need a medical background. You don’t need to have given birth yourself. What you need is curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to walk alongside others.

At The BirthBliss Academy, we’ve trained over a thousand doulas. Our courses are designed to help you discover your unique way of being a doula, because there’s no one “right” way. With our training, ongoing mentorship, and community, you’ll never walk this path alone.

Final Thoughts

A day in the life of a doula is unpredictable, varied, and incredibly rewarding. Some days you’ll be elbow-deep in laundry. Other days, you’ll be watching new life enter the world.

Every day, you’ll be making a difference.

If you’ve been wondering what doulas do, or whether to become one, maybe this glimpse has given you clarity.

The world needs more doulas. Maybe it needs you...

Ready to explore doula training? Discover our upcoming course dates and start your journey today.