Keeping your skills sharp and your network strong is key to a thriving doula practice. One of the best ways to do that is by attending doula conferences. These events are more than just a series of lectures, they are a chance to connect with peers, learn new techniques, and get re-energized about the vital work you do. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one for your goals and budget? It can feel a little overwhelming.
This guide breaks it all down. We'll walk through some of the best doula conferences in the U.S. and Canada, including major events from DONA International, CAPPA, and SMC Doula, along with key regional gatherings. We will detail what makes each one unique, who it's for, and how to get the most out of your experience. When considering which conferences to attend, it's helpful to explore practical themes for conferences that align with your professional goals.
For each conference listed, you'll find:
- Typical Timing & Location: Know when and where to plan for.
- Audience Focus: See if it matches your specialty, from birth to postpartum support.
- Format Details: Understand whether the event is virtual, in-person, or a hybrid model.
- CEU & Cost Info: Get a clear picture of the investment in time and money.
Whether you're a new doula seeking foundational skills or a seasoned pro wanting to specialize, there's a conference on this list for you. Think of this as your personal roadmap to finding the perfect event to inspire and elevate your practice this year.
1. DONA International Summit
As the flagship annual meeting for the world's largest and longest-running doula training organization, the DONA International Summit is a major event on the doula conference calendar. It brings together a diverse community of birth and postpartum doulas, trainers, and other birth professionals for education, networking, and professional development. This conference is a solid choice for doulas seeking to fulfill CE requirements for DONA recertification while connecting with a broad national network.
The summit's programming is known for its multi-track structure, allowing attendees to customize their experience. You can focus on clinical skills, business development, birth equity, or research, depending on your professional goals. This balanced approach supports both the client-facing and operational sides of a doula practice.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Multi-Track Sessions: Choose from tracks focused on birth practice, postpartum care, research, ethics, and advocacy. This structure helps you tailor your learning experience to your specific needs.
- CE Opportunities: All sessions typically offer continuing education credits that apply toward DONA recertification, a key benefit for certified members.
- Large Exhibitor Hall: The summit features a substantial exhibitor hall, both in-person and virtually. This is a prime opportunity to discover new educational tools, learn about insurance and billing solutions, and test out products for you and your clients.
- Strong Networking: With its large attendance, the summit provides an excellent platform for connecting with mentors, peers, and DONA leadership. These connections can be invaluable for career growth and community support.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, often in late summer or early fall. |
| Format | Alternates between in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats. |
| Audience Focus | Birth & Postpartum Doulas (especially DONA members), students, trainers. |
| Typical Cost | $300 - $600+. Early bird pricing and member discounts are usually available. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
To get the most out of the DONA Summit, register early. Popular workshops and sessions with limited enrollment can fill up weeks before the event. Before the conference, review the full schedule and map out your must-attend sessions, but also leave room for spontaneous connections. The networking opportunities are just as important as the educational content. After the conference, update your professional profiles, like your Bornbir Find A Doula listing, with the new skills and certifications you've gained to attract new clients.
Pros:
- Broadest national reach of any doula-specific conference.
- Reliable annual schedule, making it easy to plan ahead.
- Balanced program covering both clinical skills and business management.
Cons:
- Travel and accommodation costs for in-person years can be significant.
- High-demand sessions fill quickly, requiring prompt registration.
Website: https://donasummit.com
2. SMC Doula Conference (Shafia Monroe Consulting)
For doulas committed to birth equity and culturally centered care, the SMC Doula Conference is an essential event. Organized by Shafia Monroe Consulting, this conference moves beyond clinical skills to focus on the heart of community-based birth work. It is a powerful gathering for doulas seeking to deepen their understanding of Black and Indigenous birth traditions, navigate hospital systems effectively, and build sustainable practices that serve diverse communities, including those on Medicaid.
The conference programming is intentionally designed to address the real-world barriers and opportunities that doulas encounter. It brings together speakers from midwifery, policy, and community health to provide a rich, multi-faceted perspective on birth work. This makes it an ideal choice for doulas looking to strengthen their advocacy skills and connect with a network of equity-focused professionals.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Equity-Centered Content: Sessions are rooted in cultural humility and social justice, with a strong focus on Black and Indigenous midwifery models and traditions.
- Practical Hospital Advocacy: Expect workshops dedicated to navigating hospital policies, advocating for clients within institutional settings, and maintaining your scope of practice.
- Community-Based Models: The conference provides concrete strategies for building a sustainable doula business that serves Medicaid and other under-resourced communities.
- BIPOC Networking: Dedicated spaces and opportunities are created for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the birth work field to connect, collaborate, and find community support.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually or biennially. Check the website for the next scheduled event. |
| Format | Primarily in-person to facilitate deep community connection (e.g., Portland, OR in 2025). |
| Audience Focus | Equity-minded doulas, community birth workers, midwives, students, policy advocates. |
| Typical Cost | $400 - $700+. Pricing tiers and early registration discounts are common. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
To fully benefit from the SMC Doula Conference, come prepared to engage deeply with challenging topics and build relationships. Review the speaker list beforehand to identify leaders you want to connect with. Participate actively in the networking sessions designed for BIPOC birthworkers if you identify as such, as these are core components of the event's mission. Afterward, translate your new knowledge into action. Update your Bornbir profile to highlight your specialized skills in culturally responsive care, which can attract clients seeking that specific support. This conference also provides excellent material to inform your own Doula Training if you are an educator.
Pros:
- Deep focus on culturally responsive care and dismantling systemic barriers.
- Strong lineup of experienced community birth leaders and educators.
- Excellent for building a network of equity-focused peers.
Cons:
- Travel is required for in-person events, adding to the total cost.
- The focused program may be less suited for doulas looking for a broad, general-skills update.
Website: https://smcdoulaconference.com
3. Doula Expo by Mama Glow
Produced by Latham Thomas's Mama Glow, the Doula Expo is a high-energy, consumer-facing event that blends professional development with public celebration. It's less a traditional academic meeting and more a vibrant festival of birthwork, bringing together doulas, parents, brands, and advocates. This format is perfect for doulas focused on building public visibility, creating brand partnerships, and networking directly with the communities they wish to serve.
The expo’s atmosphere is centered on mainstage talks from industry leaders, experiential booths, and community lounges. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with expecting parents, learn from entrepreneurs, and participate in national conversations about birth equity and policy. The focus is on community, advocacy, and business growth.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Consumer & Pro Hybrid Model: Unlike many other doula conferences, the expo directly engages the public. This allows you to connect with potential clients and gain direct feedback from the community.
- Mainstage Talks & Panels: Expect inspiring keynotes and panel discussions on birth equity, entrepreneurship, policy, and the client experience, often featuring high-profile speakers from outside the immediate doula world.
- Experiential Booths & Lounges: The expo floor is designed for interaction. Brands and organizations create engaging activations, and lounges provide comfortable spaces for networking and community building.
- Strong Advocacy & Media Presence: The event generates significant national attention, playing a role in the broader conversation about doula care and its importance. This aligns your practice with a powerful advocacy movement.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, often in the spring or fall. |
| Format | Primarily in-person, designed for a high-touch, immersive experience. |
| Audience Focus | Doulas, expecting parents, brand partners, healthcare providers, policy advocates. |
| Typical Cost | $250 - $500+. Tickets are often tiered for professionals and the general public. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
Approach the Doula Expo with a networking mindset. Have your business cards and digital contact information ready. Your goal is to connect not just with other doulas, but also with brand representatives and potential clients. Spend time in the community lounges to have more in-depth conversations. After the expo, be sure to highlight your participation and the insights gained. You can reference what you learned about community needs in a blog post, like one discussing the 9 Proven Benefits of Having a Doula, to show you’re engaged with the latest conversations.
Pros:
- Outstanding visibility and networking with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Offers a fresh perspective beyond standard clinical skills or CE tracks.
- Useful for building referral networks and partnerships with brands.
Cons:
- Fewer hands-on clinical skill workshops compared to traditional conferences.
- CE opportunities may be limited as the focus is broader than doula-only education.
Website: https://www.doulaexpo.com
4. ICEA Annual Conference (International Childbirth Education Association)
For doulas who also identify as educators or want to ground their practice in solid educational principles, the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) Annual Conference is a key event. It convenes a mix of childbirth educators, birth and postpartum doulas, and other perinatal professionals. The conference's strength lies in its commitment to evidence-based updates and teaching methodologies, making it particularly useful for doulas looking to expand their services into parent education.
The programming bridges the gap between direct client support and classroom instruction. This focus helps doulas better articulate complex topics to clients, from labor physiology to informed consent. It provides a different perspective than many other doula conferences, focusing not just on what to support, but how to teach and communicate it effectively. This dual focus can help clarify your role for clients, which is an important distinction, as explained in our Doula Vs Midwife guide.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Evidence-Based Curriculum: Sessions are deeply rooted in current research, covering topics from labor support techniques and lactation to communication strategies and professional ethics.
- CE Opportunities: The conference provides continuing education credits that apply toward ICEA certifications, including their doula, educator, and postpartum credentials.
- Interactive Workshops: Expect hands-on workshops that give you practical teaching tools and curriculum ideas that can be immediately applied in your own community classes or with private clients.
- Access to Recordings: ICEA typically makes conference recordings available to members through its online portal, allowing you to catch up on sessions you missed or review key content later.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, with dates varying (often in the fall). |
| Format | Has offered in-person, virtual, and hybrid models. |
| Audience Focus | Childbirth Educators, Birth & Postpartum Doulas (especially those with or seeking ICEA credentials), Lactation Consultants. |
| Typical Cost | $250 - $550+. Member pricing and early registration offer significant discounts. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
To make the most of the ICEA conference, pay close attention to the session descriptions. Identify speakers and topics that offer tangible skills for client education. Since much of the conference information and post-event resources live within the ICEA member portal, becoming a member beforehand often provides the smoothest experience. Network with childbirth educators to learn how they structure their classes, as this can inspire new service offerings for your doula business. After attending, update your Bornbir profile and other marketing materials to highlight your expanded knowledge in parent education to attract clients seeking that extra support.
Pros:
- Strong focus on education science and practical teaching tools.
- Excellent for doulas who also offer childbirth education classes.
- Recordings are often available, increasing the value if you can't attend every session live.
Cons:
- Some content can be more educator-centric, with pure doula tracks varying by year.
- Key conference details and logistics are often found within the member-only portal.
Website: https://icea.org
5. CAPPA Conference (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association)
The CAPPA Conference is a professional gathering grounded in the practical application of skills for childbirth and postpartum professionals. Supported by CAPPA's extensive training calendar, this event emphasizes the core competencies of day-to-day doula work, including scope of practice, documentation, lactation foundations, client communication, and perinatal business skills. It's a strong, skills-forward option for doulas who want to directly apply their learning to their client interactions and business operations.
This conference stands out for its tight integration with CAPPA's broader educational ecosystem. The sessions are designed to align with the organization's distinct certification tracks for doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation educators. This focus ensures that the content is not only relevant but also directly supports members on their certification and recertification journeys.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Aligned with Certification: Sessions are carefully curated to match CAPPA’s doula, educator, and lactation programs, making it a targeted learning environment for those pursuing or maintaining these credentials.
- Accessible CE Opportunities: The conference provides continuing education credits, and CAPPA often makes prior conference sessions available for purchase and on-demand viewing, offering flexibility for earning CEs outside the live event dates.
- Global Faculty & Training: You'll learn from a diverse, international faculty. The conference is often supplemented by ongoing virtual and in-person trainings scheduled throughout the year, creating a continuous learning pathway.
- Practical Skill Tracks: Expect a focus on the "how-to" of being a doula. Tracks frequently cover essential business skills like documentation, client communication strategies, and practice management.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, with dates varying. Check the official site for the latest schedule. |
| Format | Utilizes both in-person and virtual formats, sometimes focusing on regional events. |
| Audience Focus | New & experienced doulas, childbirth educators, lactation educators (especially CAPPA members). |
| Typical Cost | $250 - $550. Discounts for members and early registration are common. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
To make the most of the CAPPA Conference, view it as part of a larger professional development strategy. Before attending, review your own business needs and identify which skills-based sessions will have the biggest impact on your practice. Since conference details can sometimes be released later in the year, sign up for the CAPPA newsletter to get announcements as soon as they are public. After the conference, think about how the practical skills you’ve learned can differentiate you. If you're deciding on a primary organization, comparing this conference to others can help you understand which doula certification is the best fit for your career goals.
Pros:
- Practical, skills-forward sessions tailored to the daily realities of doula work.
- Strong ecosystem of year-round trainings to supplement conference learning.
- Archived sessions offer a flexible way to earn CEs.
Cons:
- Annual conference details can sometimes be published late.
- The agenda's depth can vary year to year, so always check the tracks before booking.
Website: https://cappa.net
6. Doula Launchpad Conference (LA County Medi‑Cal Doula Hub / Frontline Doulas)
For doulas focused on birth equity and serving low-income families, the Doula Launchpad Conference is a critical professional event. Created by Frontline Doulas in partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health's Medi-Cal Doula Implementation, this conference provides an essential roadmap for doulas wanting to work within state-funded insurance programs. It is particularly valuable for California-based doulas seeking to thrive under the state's Medi-Cal (Medicaid) reimbursement system.
This conference stands out by focusing on the practical, business side of providing insurance-covered care. While other doula conferences may cover a wide range of topics, the Launchpad zeroes in on the specific systems, compliance requirements, and sustainability strategies needed to successfully bill for services and build a practice centered on community health. It is an intensely actionable convening designed for immediate implementation.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Medi-Cal Deep Dive: Expect detailed guidance on every step of the Medi-Cal process. This includes enrollment as a provider, understanding billing codes, proper documentation, and ensuring compliance to avoid claim denials.
- Agency & Hospital Networking: The event facilitates direct connections with representatives from health plans, hospitals, and community programs that contract with Medi-Cal doulas. This is a unique opportunity to build referral partnerships.
- Sustainability Sessions: Programming addresses the real-world challenges of this work. Sessions often cover topics like setting boundaries, managing caseloads, and building a financially sustainable practice within the reimbursement structure.
- Practical Tools & Workflows: Attendees leave with tangible resources, such as templates for client agreements, documentation checklists, and guides for navigating the county and state bureaucracy.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, with dates announced by Frontline Doulas. |
| Format | In-person event, often held in Los Angeles County. |
| Audience Focus | California doulas (new and experienced) interested in the Medi-Cal program, birth workers serving low-income families. |
| Typical Cost | Often free or low-cost to attend, as it is supported by public health initiatives. Registration is required. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
Come prepared with specific questions about your practice and the communities you serve. The strength of this conference is the direct access to program administrators and experienced Medi-Cal doulas. Bring business cards and be ready to introduce yourself to health plan representatives and hospital liaisons during networking breaks. The goal is to leave not just with information, but with concrete contacts. After the conference, immediately apply what you learned by starting your Medi-Cal enrollment or updating your Bornbir Find A Doula profile to highlight your status as a Medi-Cal provider to attract eligible families.
Pros:
- Highly actionable content for working within an insurance-covered model.
- Direct access to county resources, health plan partners, and community programs.
- Low or no cost to attend, making it accessible for all doulas.
Cons:
- Content is highly specific to California's Medi-Cal policies. It is still a useful model but less directly applicable for out-of-state doulas.
- The format is typically a single day, offering less clinical content than broader national doula conferences.
Website: https://www.frontlinedoulas.com/doula-hub-events/doula-launchpad-conference
7. Postpartum Support International (PSI) Annual Conference
While not exclusively a doula conference, the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Annual Conference is a premier US meeting on perinatal mental health. Its relevance for doulas is immense. For postpartum and birth doulas supporting clients through mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, or loss, this event offers invaluable education. It's an exceptional choice for strengthening mental-health competence and building a multidisciplinary referral network.
The conference brings together a broad spectrum of professionals, from OBs and midwives to social workers and doulas. This creates a rich learning environment where you gain insights not just for your doula practice but also into the roles of other providers in the perinatal care continuum. The content is focused on practical, evidence-based approaches to supporting families.
Key Features & What to Expect
- Clinical & Community Tracks: Sessions cover topics like screening tools, trauma-informed care best practices, medications, and community-based support models. This allows you to deepen your understanding of the perinatal mental health landscape.
- Multidisciplinary Audience: Engage with professionals across the perinatal spectrum, including psychiatrists, pediatricians, and policy advocates. This is a key opportunity to build referral pathways and collaborative relationships.
- PMH-C Aligned CEs: Many sessions offer continuing education credits that align with the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), a valuable credential for doulas specializing in this area.
- Focus on Best Practices: Learn the latest research and best practices for identifying, supporting, and referring clients experiencing perinatal mental health challenges. This knowledge directly translates to better client outcomes.
Practical Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Timing | Annually, often in mid-summer (July). |
| Format | Primarily in-person, with some virtual or hybrid elements offered. |
| Audience Focus | Doulas, midwives, nurses, OBs, psychiatrists, social workers, advocates. |
| Typical Cost | $400 - $800+. Early bird rates and member discounts are typically available. |
How to Maximize Your Experience
To make the most of the PSI Conference, focus on sessions that bridge the gap between doula support and clinical care. Attend talks on screening tools, trauma-informed communication, and local support models. The networking here is different from other doula conferences. Make it a point to connect with mental health providers and therapists in your region to establish a trusted referral list. After the conference, highlight your specialized training in perinatal mental health on your Bornbir Find A Doula profile to attract clients specifically seeking this type of informed support.
Pros:
- Best-in-class mental health content to strengthen postpartum support skills.
- Strong national networking across the entire perinatal care continuum.
- Directly applicable for doulas aiming for PMH-C certification.
Cons:
- Not doula-specific, so some sessions may be too clinical or outside a doula's scope of practice.
- Requires travel and multiple days away from clients for in-person attendance.
Website: https://postpartum.net/professionals/psi-conference/
Comparison of 7 Doula Conferences
| Conference | Complexity 🔄 | Resource Requirements ⚡ | Expected Outcomes 📊 ⭐ | Ideal Use Cases 💡 | Key Advantages ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONA International Summit | High 🔄 multi‑track scheduling; workshops may cap | High ⚡ multi‑day travel, registration, time away | 📊 Broad clinical + business skills; CE for DONA ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Doulas needing national networking and DONA recertification | Balanced program; large exhibitor hall; strong alumni network |
| SMC Doula Conference (Shafia Monroe Consulting) | Medium 🔄 focused, mission‑driven programming | Medium ⚡ travel to venue (Portland); moderate cost | 📊 Deep equity & hospital‑navigation skills ⭐⭐⭐ | Doulas centered on culturally responsive care and Medicaid/underserved work | Strong BIPOC‑centered content and community connections |
| Doula Expo by Mama Glow | Low–Medium 🔄 expo format, less formal CE scheduling | Medium ⚡ expo fees; networking time; travel | 📊 Visibility, partnerships, consumer connections ⭐⭐⭐ | Building referral networks, public advocacy, brand partnerships | High media presence; excellent consumer and brand access |
| ICEA Annual Conference | Medium 🔄 educator‑centric tracks and interactive workshops | Medium ⚡ travel or virtual membership; access to recordings | 📊 Evidence‑based teaching tools; CE for ICEA ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Doulas who teach or want strong education/science grounding | Strong education focus; recordings available for catch‑up |
| CAPPA Conference | Medium 🔄 practical, skills‑forward agenda | Low–Medium ⚡ in‑person/virtual options; archived sessions | 📊 Day‑to‑day doula skills and CE ⭐⭐⭐ | Doulas seeking practical documentation, communication, business tools | Practical tracks and year‑round training ecosystem |
| Doula Launchpad Conference | Low 🔄 single‑day, policy/billing focused | Low ⚡ local (CA) attendance; targeted time investment | 📊 Actionable Medi‑Cal billing/compliance tools ⭐⭐⭐ | Doulas working with Medi‑Cal or pursuing insurance‑covered services | Direct county connections; highly actionable billing guidance |
| Postpartum Support International (PSI) Annual Conference | Medium–High 🔄 multidisciplinary clinical content | Medium–High ⚡ multi‑day travel; time investment | 📊 Advanced perinatal mental‑health competence ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Postpartum/birth doulas focused on mental‑health support and referrals | Best‑in‑class PMH content; strong multidisciplinary networks |
Maximizing Your Conference Investment and Growing Your Practice
Attending doula conferences is a significant investment of your time, energy, and financial resources. Making that investment pay off requires a clear strategy, one that extends far beyond simply attending sessions and collecting CEUs. The true value lies in how you translate new knowledge, connections, and inspiration into tangible growth for your doula practice. This process begins before you even register and continues long after you've returned home.
Throughout this guide, we've explored a variety of doula conferences, each with a unique focus. From the wide-ranging clinical and business topics at the DONA International Summit to the community-centered, culturally specific focus of the SMC Doula Conference, your choice should directly reflect your current professional needs. Think of your practice as a living entity. What does it need to thrive right now? Is it advanced skills in a niche area like perinatal mental health from the PSI Annual Conference, or is it business acumen and networking, which are central themes at events like the Doula Launchpad Conference?
Turning Inspiration into Action
The post-conference period is where the real work begins. It’s easy to feel a surge of motivation, only to have it fade as the demands of daily life resume. To avoid this, you must be intentional about implementation.
- Filter and Focus: Sift through your notes, brochures, and the business cards you collected. Instead of trying to implement everything at once, identify the top three actionable takeaways. These should be specific and manageable. For example, maybe you learned a new comfort measure you can practice, a contract clause to add, or a social media strategy to test.
- Schedule Your Next Steps: Put these actions on your calendar. If you plan to follow up with a potential referral partner, schedule a specific day and time to send that email. If you want to rewrite your website's service descriptions based on a marketing session, block out a few hours to do it. Without a scheduled commitment, good intentions often remain just that.
Key Insight: The most successful doulas don't just attend conferences. They absorb, filter, and act. They treat the experience as a catalyst for specific, planned changes in their business operations and client support methods.
Translating Conference ROI into Client Attraction
One of the most direct ways to see a return on your investment is by making your new expertise visible to potential clients. After attending a conference, you are a more knowledgeable, connected, and skilled birth professional. Your marketing materials, especially your online profiles, should immediately reflect that.
This is where a platform like Bornbir becomes a critical tool for your business. Families use it to find support that matches their specific needs. By immediately updating your profile with the new skills or certifications you gained, you position yourself to attract the right clients.
Consider these scenarios:
- You attended the CAPPA Conference and earned a new certification. Add this certification prominently to your Bornbir profile. Families searching for doulas with that specific credential will now find you more easily.
- You learned advanced postpartum support techniques at the PSI Annual Conference. Update the services section of your profile to include detailed descriptions of this support. Use keywords like "postpartum mood support" or "fourth-trimester planning" that families might be searching for.
- You were inspired by the community-building focus at the Doula Expo by Mama Glow. You could add a note to your profile's "About Me" section, mentioning your commitment to community-based care and referencing your recent attendance at a major industry event.
Attending doula conferences is more than a professional obligation. It is an opportunity to refuel your passion, expand your community, and sharpen your skills. By choosing events that align with your goals and strategically implementing what you learn, you can ensure that your conference experience fuels sustainable growth and helps you better serve the families who need you most.
Ready to turn your conference learnings into more clients? Update your Bornbir profile today with your new skills, certifications, and insights. This simple step makes you more visible to families actively searching for the exact support you offer, ensuring your investment pays off.