Books to read before you train as a doula
Reading is a low-cost way to find out whether you like the work before paying for training. You can borrow a book or choose one to start with, without committing to a course.
Try one book about labor support and one about the business side. As you read, note what excites you, what worries you and what you would want to ask a practicing doula.
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The short list
| Book | Author | Covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Birth Partner (5th edition) | Penny Simkin | Labor support and the early postpartum period | Understanding what hands-on labor support looks like. |
| The Doula Book | Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell and Phyllis H. Klaus | The role and background of continuous labor support | Readers who want the background on why doula support exists. |
| Cultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care | Francesca Lynn Arnoldy | Presence, compassionate care and relationships | People drawn to companionship, including end-of-life doula interest. |
| The Doula Business Guide | Patty Brennan | Starting and running an independent practice | Anyone planning independent work who wants to understand the business first. |
| Why Did No One Tell Me This? The Doulas' (Honest) Guide for Expectant Parents | Natalia Hailes and Ash Spivak | Questions and worries from the parent’s perspective | Seeing the questions and worries families bring to a doula. |
The Birth Partner (5th edition)
Penny Simkin
What it covers
A detailed guide written for partners, doulas and other labor companions about supporting someone through labor and the early postpartum period. It gives readers a closer look at the practical side of being present as a support person.
Why read it before training
Notice whether sustained, hands-on support interests you. Identify what you would want to practice with guidance rather than learn from reading alone.
Best for: Understanding what hands-on labor support looks like.
See it on AmazonThe Doula Book
Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell and Phyllis H. Klaus
What it covers
Written by researchers and clinicians who studied continuous labor support, this book explains the role of a trained labor companion. It introduces the thinking behind that role and offers background for readers considering doula work.
Why read it before training
Use it to understand the role before comparing courses. Note questions about teaching support, boundaries and working alongside clinical care.
Best for: Readers who want the background on why doula support exists.
See it on AmazonCultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy
What it covers
This book focuses on the emotional and relational side of doula work, including presence and compassionate care. Its focus on companionship is relevant to readers considering support at different stages of life, including end-of-life doula work.
Why read it before training
Consider how you feel about staying present rather than trying to fix everything. Notice what draws you toward companionship and raises questions about emotional boundaries.
Best for: People drawn to companionship, including end-of-life doula interest.
See it on AmazonThe Doula Business Guide
Patty Brennan
What it covers
This book covers starting and running a practice as a birth, postpartum or end-of-life doula. It brings the business side of the work into view alongside the support you hope to offer.
Why read it before training
Read it if you expect to work independently. Consider whether organizing a practice appeals to you and which responsibilities you would need help with.
Best for: Anyone planning independent work who wants to understand the business first.
See it on AmazonWhy Did No One Tell Me This? The Doulas' (Honest) Guide for Expectant Parents
Natalia Hailes and Ash Spivak
What it covers
Written by doulas for expectant parents, this book approaches the subject from the family’s side. It offers a way to consider the questions and worries people may bring when looking for support.
Why read it before training
Read it with listening in mind, not as a script. Consider another person’s concerns without assuming their priorities will match yours.
Best for: Seeing the questions and worries families bring to a doula.
See it on AmazonA reading worksheet
Copy these prompts into your notes while reading. Brief answers can help you see patterns across the books you choose.
- Parts that energized me, and why:
- Parts I found hard to read, and what made them difficult:
- Questions I want to ask a training program:
- What I learned, or still need to ask, about on-call life:
- Whether I want birth, postpartum or end-of-life work:
- Business tasks I would enjoy, and tasks I would need support with:
- Skills I would want to practice with a teacher or mentor:
A book can help you form better questions, but it does not replace training, supported practice or checking the requirements where you hope to work.
Next steps
Bring your notes to the doula work self-check, then use how to choose a doula training program to compare what programs actually offer. Give yourself room to explore before deciding whether to enroll.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Families should talk with their doctor or midwife about medical decisions.
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