Is Being a Doula the Right Career for You? 10 Signs This Role Could Be Your Calling

There’s a moment I often see in women’s eyes during our doula training courses. It’s a spark, a mixture of excitement, relief and that deep, quiet knowing. They’ve found it. The work that speaks to their soul.

Becoming a doula isn’t just a job change. It’s not something you clock in and out of, or a role you take on just for the income (although yes, doulas can and do make a sustainable living). It’s a calling. A way of walking alongside women and families during one of the most transformative moments in life, pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

But how do you know if this path is truly for you?

I’ve put together ten signs I’ve seen again and again in people who flourish as doulas. They come from years of training doulas at The BirthBliss Academy, from listening to hundreds of birth stories, and from my own journey supporting families.

If you’re wondering whether to take that first step towards doula training, see how many of these signs feel familiar.

1. You’re the one people open up to

Does it happen to you too? You’re on a train, minding your own business, and the stranger next to you ends up telling you about their recent loss, their hopes for the future, or a deeply personal story they’ve never told anyone before.

If people naturally feel safe sharing with you, that’s a powerful sign. Doulas are skilled listeners. We hold space without rushing to fix or judge. And if you’ve always been the go-to friend, the one people feel lighter after talking to, you’ve already got one of the most essential doula qualities.

2. You feel drawn to pregnancy and birth

You might already find yourself reading birth stories for fun, following midwives on Instagram, or watching documentaries about birth.

This doesn’t mean you need to have given birth yourself (many doulas haven’t). But if you find yourself fascinated by the physiology of birth, the emotional journey of pregnancy, and the ways people prepare for parenthood, you may be feeling the pull towards this work.

When I first started, I didn’t know everything, and you don’t have to either. Doula training is where you learn the skills, but curiosity and passion are what keep you growing.

3. You believe women and families deserve better support

Sadly, too many families go through pregnancy and birth feeling unheard, rushed or disempowered. Maybe you’ve witnessed this first-hand. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself.

If you’re reading this thinking, something needs to change, and you want to be part of that change, that’s the heart of doula work. Doulas don’t replace midwives or doctors, but we do make a difference. Our presence, information and emotional support can transform the way people feel about their birth and postnatal experiences.

4. You want work that means something

Let’s be honest, not all jobs feed the soul. Many people feel stuck in roles that drain them, longing for work that actually matters.

Being a doula means your job is literally about making someone’s life better. You’re supporting one of the most intimate, profound transitions a person will ever experience. And that’s incredibly fulfilling.

At The BirthBliss Academy, I often say: This isn’t just work you do, it’s work you live. The connections you form, the trust you build, the moments you witness, they stay with you forever.

5. You stay calm when others panic

Birth can be intense. The unexpected can happen. Babies don’t always read the birth plan.

As a doula, you don’t have to control events (and you can’t), but your calm presence is everything. If you’re someone who naturally stays grounded when others feel stressed, that’s an invaluable quality.

I’ve seen it time and again: the doula who keeps breathing, who makes gentle eye contact, who offers a quiet nod, they anchor everyone in the room.

6. You have emotional intelligence

Doula work is not just about what you do, it’s about how you show up. Emotional intelligence is knowing when to step in and when to hold back. It’s reading the room, noticing the unsaid things, and responding with sensitivity.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “good with people” or “you just get it,” you might have this gift already. During doula training, we build on that instinct so you can use it in ways that are supportive and professional.

7. You love learning

Birth is fascinating. The more you learn, the more you realise there is to know, about hormones, physiology, newborn behaviour, cultural traditions, emotional recovery, feeding, and so much more.

If you’re someone who goes down research rabbit holes, who enjoys reading up on a topic until you feel you understand it deeply, you’ll thrive as a doula. This career is a lifelong learning journey. Even after supporting dozens of families, you’ll still come across something new.

8. You’re non-judgemental

One of the golden rules of doula work is: It’s not about you. You may have strong personal views about birth choices, but as a doula, your role is to support your client’s decisions, even if they’re different from what you’d choose.

This can be harder than it sounds, but it’s also deeply freeing. You learn to set aside assumptions, listen with openness, and stand alongside families without trying to lead them.

If you can celebrate someone else’s choices without needing to put your own stamp on them, you’ll make an incredible doula.

9. You want flexibility in your work

Being a doula can be beautifully adaptable. You can work part-time alongside another job, focus on birth support, specialise in postnatal care, or offer both.

It’s not a 9–5, there are on-call periods, night shifts and last-minute calls, but you have the freedom to decide how many clients you take and how you structure your services.

For many doulas, this flexibility is a huge draw. It means you can balance work with family life, study, travel, or other commitments.

10. You’ve felt the whisper in your heart

Sometimes, you can’t explain it logically. You just know. There’s a quiet voice inside that says: This is what you’re meant to do.

I’ve lost count of how many doulas told me they’d thought about this for years before finally booking a course. Often they’ll say, “I wish I’d done it sooner.”

If you’ve been feeling that tug, maybe now is the time to listen.

So… is doula training right for you?

If you read through these ten signs and felt yourself nodding along, there’s a good chance this work is calling you. And here’s the best part, you don’t have to feel “ready” to start.

Most people arrive at doula training with a mix of excitement and nerves. We welcome that. At The BirthBliss Academy, we believe you already have the heart of a doula, our role is simply to help you uncover it, give you the tools, and walk alongside you as you step into this work.

Why train with the BirthBliss Academy?

• We start with who you are: You’re not here to become someone else. You’re here to grow into your own way of being a doula.

• We focus on presence, not perfection: You’ll learn how to hold space, support without judgement, and work with each family’s unique needs.

• We give you real-world confidence: Through practical skills, deep listening practice, and insight into birth and postnatal realities.

• We support you beyond training: With our Accreditation Programme, Doula the Doula sessions, community events, and The Doula Directory.

  
  

Final thoughts

Becoming a doula is not for everyone, but if it is for you, it can be the most meaningful, life-changing work you’ll ever do.

If you’re feeling that spark, maybe it’s your time. Take the leap. You might just find, as so many of us have, that this isn’t just a career… it’s your calling.

Ready to explore your path? Find out more about our upcoming doula training dates here.