Volunteer Doulas
Volunteer doulas staff our Hearts & Hands Program, which is free to anyone giving birth at UC San Diego Health.
They provide one-on-one emotional (non-clinical) support during childbirth, working alongside nurses, midwives and physicians.
Support may include providing massage, suggesting techniques for positioning or breathing, or other comfort measures. Long hours are possible because doula volunteers stay with a patient until the baby is born.
Learn More About Our Doula Services
Selection Process and Training for Volunteer Doulas
No prior experience is necessary, but volunteers must go through a selection process and training, which includes:
- An initial phone screening and interview
- An application with references, health screening (including immunization history), background check, and UC Learning compliance training courses through UC San Diego Health Volunteer Services.
- A two-day, in-person introductory doula training through the Hearts & Hands Program
- Working with experienced mentor doulas until you're ready to work on your own
Requirements
- Emotional and physical stamina to attend long labors
- Flexible schedule and the ability to work very long hours from time to time
- At least 21 years old
- Minimum 9-month commitment
- Minimum of two on-call shifts per month
Things to Consider
We ask our volunteers to sign up for a minimum of two on-call, 12-hour shifts per month. At any time during the shift, they can be called to the hospital when a patient requests a doula. The volunteer then stays with the patient throughout labor and delivery until the baby is born. (The volunteer doula does not leave when the shift ends.)
A doula stays at a birth an average of 10-12 hours, but it may be shorter or considerably longer. After a birth, a doula often needs to rest, so volunteering should be scheduled only when you don’t have other commitments near that time period.