How New Doulas Can Build Their Clientele and Grow a Successful Business, Even Without Experience
Many aspiring doulas worry about how they will find clients or begin working in the field when they have no previous experience. This concern is extremely common, but the truth is that most doulas across the United States start their careers as complete beginners. With the right training program, clear guidance, and accessible business tools, new doulas can begin building their client base within weeks—not years.
Whether you're completing a birth doula certification, a postpartum doula certification, or both, your training lays the foundation for evidence-based, compassionate care. What comes next is learning how to connect with families, present yourself professionally, and take advantage of the growing demand for doulas nationwide. As more states expand coverage and more families seek personalized support, the doula profession continues to grow rapidly, opening new opportunities for doulas at every experience level.
How New Doulas Build Their First Clientele Across the U.S.
Families everywhere—from large cities to rural communities—are actively looking for doulas to support pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Because demand continues to rise, doulas do not need decades of experience to begin serving families. What they need most is visibility in the right places and the confidence to communicate what they offer.
One of the fastest ways new doulas start receiving inquiries is by listing their services on platforms where families are already searching for care. DNT Network partners with BornBir, a national platform designed to help families connect with certified doulas and other maternal health experts. Every DNT Network graduate receives 30 days of free access to BornBir’s premium client pool, allowing new doulas across the U.S. to immediately get in front of families booking services.
Many doulas also find that their first clients come through community connections. Local pregnancy groups, mom circles, midwife practices, OB/GYN offices, WIC offices, and community health programs frequently refer families to doulas. As awareness of doula benefits continues to grow—especially as more states officially recognize doulas as essential perinatal support—communities are increasingly eager to connect families with qualified providers.
Creating clear service packages is another effective strategy for building a client base. Families want to understand exactly what their doula offers, what the fee includes, and what support looks like before and after birth. New doulas often start with simple, well-defined birth or postpartum packages that build trust and provide structure for their first clients.
Even a basic website or booking page can make a big difference when you're just starting out. Showing your certification, your story, your services, and a simple contact form can help potential clients easily reach you. Many doulas secure their first booking within days of building an online presence.
Do Doula Training Programs Teach How to Get Paid Through Insurance?
As more states across the U.S. begin to include doula services in Medicaid benefits and as private insurance reimbursement grows, doulas increasingly want to understand how billing works. This is an important part of business development, and training programs are beginning to include more support in this area.
DNT Network’s Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Certification courses provide a clear and accessible introduction to how insurance reimbursement generally works for doulas. Students learn the fundamentals of Medicaid coverage, credentialing, documentation, and how doulas typically receive payment from insurance-based programs. While this introduction is meant to help doulas understand the basics, many graduates find that it gives them the confidence to begin exploring reimbursement options in their own state.
Different states have different Medicaid guidelines, and private insurance reimbursement varies as well. Because the landscape is changing quickly, doulas benefit from staying informed about updates in their region. Many states, including an increasing number in the Midwest, West Coast, and Northeast, now reimburse for birth doula services, and many are moving toward postpartum doula coverage. This shift opens new opportunities for doulas entering the field, especially those who want to serve underserved communities or diversify their income streams beyond private-pay clients.
To support doulas on a deeper level, DNT Network is launching a comprehensive Business Coaching & Insurance Billing Course in Summer 2026. This program will delve into Medicaid and private insurance workflows, state-by-state credentialing expectations, billing software, documentation practices, and how to structure your doula business for long-term sustainability. For doulas across the U.S. looking to expand beyond private-pay clients, this course will offer a practical, step-by-step approach.
Do You Need Experience Before You Can Start Working as a Doula?
Many new doulas assume that families will only hire someone with extensive experience, but this is not the case. Across the country, families routinely hire newly certified doulas who show professionalism, warmth, clear communication, and a solid understanding of evidence-based support. Experience grows naturally through working with your first clients, and every doula—no matter how seasoned—began exactly where you are now.
DNT Network’s competency-based curriculum helps students build the skills and confidence needed for real-world support. Scenario-based lessons, interviews, and practical assessments prepare graduates for the realities of working with clients. Combined with the visibility provided through national platforms like BornBir, new doulas are well-positioned to begin accepting clients as soon as their certification is complete.
Creating a Sustainable Doula Business in Today’s Growing U.S. Market
The doula profession offers not only meaningful work but also strong business potential across the United States. With more states adopting Medicaid reimbursement, more families recognizing the benefits of doula support, and more providers partnering with doulas, this field continues to expand rapidly. Doulas can build flexible, fulfilling careers that fit around family life while contributing to better maternal and infant health outcomes.
DNT Network supports this journey by offering accessible, high-quality certification programs, practical business guidance, and pathways to connect with clients nationwide. Whether you are entering the field for the first time or transitioning from another career, you have the tools to build a successful doula business from the very beginning.
To explore certification options and begin your doula career, visit:
