How to Avoid Doula Burnout: Part 1
I’m not sure if there are any formal studies that have been done on the topic, but anecdotal evidence amongst my own peers tells me that the burnout rate is notoriously high amongst birth and postpartum doulas. I myself have gotten dangerously close to leaving this career in the dust more times than I can count. This is just one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about supporting doulas through their careers, because I’ve been there. I know firsthand how hard it is to juggle the on-call life of a doula, manage a business, and try to have time for myself, my family, and my community. Amidst my own journey as a doula I learned a lot about self-care and how to avoid burnout and I’m excited to share some tips with you.
Why Does Doula Burnout Occur?
Before we can address the burnout itself, it’s important to understand why burnout happens. I’m sure every doula has a different theory but here’s mine in a nutshell: new doulas are expected and told to work for free.
Everything else about burning out as a doula stems from that expectation.
Now, I’m sure I’ve ruffled a few feathers so let me explain…
You invest money in a training to start a new career and after that investment you are encouraged to do the following to start your business:
Launch a doula website
Buy business cards
Have a legally binding contract (which, if you’re smart, you’ll pay for and have a lawyer review)
Network with other doulas
Network with care providers that will refer to you
Get liability insurance
Get CPR/First Aid Certification
All of these things are 100% needed to start a business. But all of these things cost money. Even if you create your own website, the domain name costs money. Even if you find a discount on Vista Print, business cards cost money. Sure, you can write your own contract, but one day that will cost you money… either money in refunding someone because your contract didn’t work in your favor to protect you or in attorney fees when you finally decide to have a professional review your contract or draft a new one. Even networking costs money!
And I’m not saying these things can’t be accomplished on a budget or for a low cost, they definitely can! What I’m saying is that when becoming a doula you are going to be investing in more than just your training.
Keep in mind that in discussing the costs of starting your business, I haven’t yet touched on the cost of gas, childcare, and essential supplies. Even if you’re on a strict budget and don’t have a doula bag full of goodies, you’ll still need to pay for food/snacks while at the birth or postpartum overnights, a good pair of comfortable work shoes, and the like.
And on top of all that you’ll be expected or encouraged to work for free or very low cost.
So if you follow the advice of many doula trainers and doula organizations, not only are you not receiving any sort of compensation for your work, but you’re actually putting yourself in a position where you might be going into debt in order to afford all of the things you’ll need to start your business. And if you’re like most doulas I know, you probably didn’t plan on these costs and therefore don’t have savings set aside to start a business and more than likely don’t want to take out a business loan.
Can you tell me of any other profession that asks you to invest in training, supplies, business necessities and then tells you not to charge anything for your first few clients? I couldn’t come up with any myself, but maybe you’ll have better luck… take a moment to brainstorm.
Before I continue, I don’t want you to get discouraged by everything I’ve shared about starting a doula business. This is the way it’s been done for a long time and there are a LOT of doulas who have succeeded in their careers even with the financial hurdles mentioned above. It may not be ideal and ultimately it is my goal to help other doulas avoid the many potential mistakes made when getting started, but it is absolutely possible to have a successful doula business even if you don’t have a lot of money - I am proof of that. But more on that later.
Are Doula Apprentices a Thing?
Often when I discuss this topic with others we ultimately end up talking about other professions in comparison… hence why I asked you to brainstorm a minute ago! Usually people bring up careers that offer apprenticeships and they make the argument that those in an apprenticeship may work for a lower cost. But here’s the thing, an apprenticeship is an exchange. Let’s imagine for a minute what a true doula apprenticeship would look like (if we’re basing it off the apprenticeship model used in the US).
As a doula apprentice your training would be provided for you, so that’s an investment you wouldn’t need to make. In exchange for your participation in an apprenticeship program you get to shadow someone and you get hands-on experience while being guided by a mentor. A mentor, who, again, actually provides the training, provides the clients you work with and may even provide you with supplies. Not to mention as an apprentice it’s highly likely that you would compensated financially AND there’s a good chance it would lead to long term employment that offers decent pay, benefits, and even room for advancement. Basically a doula apprenticeship would mean that your doula training would be provided as an exchange for your participation, along with on-the-job experience, and a wage.
Truthfully, that sounds amazing! And if it doesn’t exist, it should! Because a doula apprenticeship wouldn’t place the entire burden on you and would compensate you financially while you gain experience and find your footing in this career.
Investment Isn’t a Bad Word
Investing in your career and in your business is not a bad thing. Having a financial investment in your doula career likely means you’re committed, passionate, and willing to do a lot to meet your business goals. It gives you skin in the game and that is a good thing.
But here’s where the problem lies: too many doulas are investing everything—their time, energy, and money—without a clear plan for sustainability. When you’re constantly giving without ensuring a return, whether that’s financial stability, work-life balance, or personal fulfillment, it’s a fast track to burnout. The key isn’t to avoid investing—it’s to invest wisely. That means knowing your worth from the start, setting boundaries, and building a business model that actually supports you, not just your clients.
When Passion Turns Into Burnout
Burnout starts when you pour everything you have—time, energy, money—into this work without setting yourself up for sustainability. Passion alone won’t pay your bills, and constantly giving without replenishing yourself leads to exhaustion.
Many doulas enter this work because they love supporting families, but love doesn’t negate the realities of running a business, managing an on-call lifestyle, and navigating the emotional and physical demands of this job. If you’re not careful, your dedication can turn into resentment, exhaustion, and eventually, burnout.
Some common signs of doula burnout include:
Feeling drained before you even walk into a birth or postpartum shift
Dreading being on-call instead of feeling excited
Struggling to maintain boundaries with clients or feeling obligated to overextend yourself
Experiencing financial stress because your rates don’t reflect your worth
Losing the joy and passion that led you to this work in the first place
A harsh reality is that the more burnt out you become, the less effective you are for your clients. Your work requires you to hold space, provide unwavering support, and be fully present. But if you’re running on empty, it’s impossible to pour into others and your career as a doula will suffer.
So what’s the solution? How do you avoid the cycle of burnout and build a doula career that is fulfilling, financially stable, and sustainable?
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share real, actionable strategies to help you create balance, protect your energy, and ensure longevity in this work. Because being a doula shouldn’t come at the cost of your well-being.