How to Make Real Connections That Benefit Your Doula Clients (and Your Doula Business)
Networking as a doula can feel awkward and maybe even a bit overwhelming. You know that building relationships with OBs, midwives, chiropractors, and other perinatal providers can open doors for your clients (and your doula business), but how do you actually make those connections? Are they going to take you seriously? Or are you just another doula in their inbox?
If you’ve ever felt unsure about reaching out, were ignored after an introduction, or just completely overwhelmed by the idea of networking, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: if you want to build a sustainable doula business, you can’t just sit back and wait for referrals to come to you. You have to put yourself out there. BUT, You don’t have to be pushy, salesy, or inauthentic to build strong professional relationships. You just need a strategy!
Why Networking with Care Providers Matters for Doulas
Let’s start with the obvious: you and care providers share the same goal—supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. But too often, there’s a disconnect. Some care providers don’t fully understand or appreciate what doulas do. Some doulas feel dismissed or undervalued by medical professionals. And unfortunately, some doulas have had negative experiences with care providers and seen some sketchy things.
This is exactly why networking is so important. When doulas and care providers build trust and communication, women, their partners, and their babies receive better, more well-rounded care. And when a provider trusts you, they’re far more likely to refer their patients to you, mention your services, or at the very least, respect your role in the birth and postpartum space.
A strong network can also:
✅ Bring you more client referrals
✅ Help you gain credibility in your local birth community
✅ Make your job easier by improving collaboration with care providers
✅ Keep you in the loop about local birth trends, policies, and hospital procedures
✅ Create a birth and postpartum team that actually works together
So, where do you start?
The Biggest Networking Mistakes Doulas Make
Before we talk about what to do, let’s talk about what not to do. These mistakes are why many doulas struggle to make connections:
❌ Reaching out with a generic, one-size-fits-all message – If you’re copying and pasting the same intro email to every provider, it’s no wonder you’re getting ignored. People can tell when they’re just one of many.
❌ Only talking about yourself – Yes, you want them to know who you are, but if your entire approach is, “Here’s what I do, here’s why I’m great,” it won’t land well. Providers want to know what’s in it for them and their patients.
❌ Being too informal or too aggressive – A casual “Hey, let’s grab coffee!” might work with another doula, but not necessarily with an OB in a busy practice. On the flip side, showing up unannounced is a quick way to get dismissed.
❌ Not following up – One email or one meeting may not be enough. Relationships take time, and many doulas drop the ball when it comes to nurturing connections.
If you’ve made any of these mistakes—don’t worry. Here’s how to do it right.
How to Actually Make Meaningful Connections
1. Engage with Their Work
Before you even reach out, start by showing up in their world. Follow their social media pages, read their blog posts, and engage with their content in a thoughtful way. Comment on a post, share an article they wrote, or recommend their services to a client. People notice when you consistently support their work.
2. Get in the Right Rooms
One of the best ways to meet providers naturally is to be where they already are. Attend perinatal health events, hospital-sponsored talks, chiropractic workshops, or community meetings where birth professionals gather. Face-to-face interactions are far more impactful than cold emails. Make yourself known in a professional
Another key opportunity? Introduce yourself at births or prenatal appointments. When you're in the room with a provider, take the initiative: “Hi, I’m [Your Name], [Client’s Name]’s doula—great to meet you!” This simple, professional introduction helps establish rapport and makes you more memorable for future interactions.
3. Make the First Move—But Do It Right
Most providers aren’t going to seek you out—you have to take the initiative. A well-crafted email can open the door, but a phone call is often more effective. Keep it short, professional, and to the point. Introduce yourself, explain why you're reaching out, and ask for a brief meeting.
Not sure what to say? In our Networking with Care Providers workshop, we break down exactly how to structure your call and how to follow up without being pushy. If cold calls make you nervous, we’ve got you covered with strategies that work.
If email is more your style, keep it short, professional, and provider-focused. A great introduction email might look like this:
Hi Dr. Smith,
I’m [Your Name], a local doula who has supported many of your patients. I appreciate your approach to evidence-based care, and I’d love to connect to see how we can work together to better support moms. Would you be open to a quick chat over coffee? Or if I can send over some resources about what doulas bring to the birth team.
Looking forward to connecting!
Notice how it’s not a long-winded bio about you? Keep it simple, professional, and easy to say yes to.
4. If They Say No (or Don’t Respond), Stay on Their Radar
Not every provider will be interested in meeting right away, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean the door is closed. Here’s how to stay visible without being pushy:
✔ Continue engaging with their content online
✔ Refer your clients to them when it makes sense
✔ Send an occasional email with a helpful resource (without asking for anything in return)
✔ Show up at events where they’re speaking or participating
Sometimes, it takes time for a provider to warm up to doulas. Or maybe their practice is so busy that they don’t have time to setup a meeting right now. Stay consistent, and eventually, they’ll start to see you as a trusted part of their network.
Making It Work for You
Networking is about building trust over time, not instant results. The doulas who succeed in creating strong connections aren’t necessarily the ones who are the most outgoing or the best at sales. They’re the ones who show up, provide value, and stay consistent.
If you want a step-by-step guide on exactly how to reach out, what to say, and how to follow up, we’re covering everything in our workshop, Networking with Care Providers for Doulas. We’ll walk you through real strategies that actually work—without feeling awkward or salesy.
Even if you don’t join the workshop, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to start building strong, meaningful relationships with care providers in your area. Your work matters, and the right connections can help you support even more women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.