Become a Doula with Sierra Childbirth Institute

Online Doula Training & Doula Services

DONA Doula Training

Our in-person and online doula trainings are DONA approved.

Online Doula Training


Get your postpartum or birth doula training online with SCI.

Doula Mentorship & Coaching

8-week online doula mentorship program and ongoing suport.

Doula Services


Postpartum and birth doula services in Sacramento, CA.

About Us

Our approach to supporting families through birth is different.

If you feel called to serve the birthing families in your community, or need continuing education or mentoring for your established doula practice, Sierra Childbirth Institute, based out of Sacramento, California, provides education, training, and mentoring for aspiring and experienced childbirth professionals. We offer birth and postpartum doula training workshops and continuing education classes, all approved through DONA International, as well as an in-depth doula mentoring program. At SCI we are passionate about meeting all the needs of the childbirth professional.

At Sierra Childbirth Institute we provide a holistic, evidence-based perspective of birth and postpartum in a comfortable learning environment, as well as online doula training workshops and continuing education classes. Whether you choose online or in-person learning, our classes are all kept small to provide a personalized experience for our students. For aspiring midwives, our birth doula training is often a stepping-stone toward becoming a midwife. And for nursing students and labor and delivery nurses our workshops provide the labor support skills traditional education systems don’t offer.

Years Experience
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DONA Doula Training Options

What we offer
2 women during doula training

Birth Doula Training Workshops

This DONA approved doula training provides an exploration of historical and conventional paradigms around childbirth. Learn the special role of Birth Doulas and how we can help women and families return to the ancient wisdom of birthing and parenting.
2 women learning breastfeeding techniques in Doula Training

Postpartum Doula Training

During this DONA approved postpartum doula training, participants will gain in-depth knowledge about the role of a doula during the postpartum period, as well as a personal understanding of the emotions and spiritual nature of birth and life with a newborn.
Woman teaching Lamaze Class as CEU for Birth professionals

Continuing Education Classes

These courses for birth professionals, provide a comprehensive exploration of important topics such as labor support, pre-birth preparation, and specialist knowledge in postpartum care. Take your practice to the next level with our continuing education classes.​
Sierra Doulas provides families in the California Sacramento Valley with nurturing care and support from pregnancy through postpartum. We have hand-selected our team of birth and postpartum doulas for the in-depth training and mentoring we know they received.
Classes

Upcoming Doula Trainings Dates

Business Starter Kit

Management, by Melinda Rose

Business Relationship

Business, by Melinda Rose

Career Planning Kit

Careers, by Natalie Jodie

Online Doula Training On Laptop at Home with Tea
Become a Doula Online

Online Doula Training

Our DONA approved online birth and postpartum doula training workshops and continuing education classes are held live and provide the same valuable content as our in-person classes – from the comfort of your own home!

Why Choose Us For Your Doula Training

About Sierra Childbirth Institute

Sierra Childbirth Institute was founded in 2002 by Janine Maitri. Janine has been a birth professional since 1982 when she became passionate about helping babies, mothers and families have positive birth experiences. She has been on a mission to raise awareness about the ancient wisdom and instinctual nature of birth for 40 years. Janine moved to the Sacramento Valley in 2019 to open a school for birth professionals in the Arden area. With a skilled team of teachers and caring staff, Sierra Childbirth Institute provides doula training workshops and continuing education to aspiring and established birth professionals worldwide.

DONA Approved Doula Trainings

Our birth and postpartum doula training workshops are approved through DONA International—the first and, to this day, foremost doula training program, founded in 1992. As a non-profit organization, DONA’s focus is on providing a professional standard of education and support for doulas and maximizing access to doulas for people who need them. Attending our birth and postpartum doula workshop will fulfill one of the main certification requirements—the doula training. Our goal is that you will leave our workshop ready to launch your practice and begin working with families.

Doula Mentorship & Coaching

Good mentoring can help doulas avoid pitfalls and establish good practices— helping you get off to a good start or augment your current practice. Our three mentors provide a combined 60+ years of experience and are passionate about helping doulas blossom. There are many facets to developing and maintaining a doula practice— we’re here to meet you where you’re at and support and guide you on your doula journey!

Doula Business Training

After attending a training, creating your doula business can feel a bit daunting. Our business development class will take you deeper from where your doula training left off and expand more on structuring your practice and developing a small business. Classes are kept small to create a personalized learning experience and our 5-hour class is limited to small groups—so wherever you’re at on your doula journey, we’re here to help. This class is ideal for the newly trained doula who isn’t yet confident in their business skills. We provide a step-by-step process, along with resources to develop your business, so you can focus on doing what you were called to do— serve the families in your community!

Reviews of SCI

What They Say

Melanie JeffsMelanie Jeffs
21:07 01 Jul 24
I loved doing the doula training with Janine! She is an excellent teacher!
Karissa WhartonKarissa Wharton
12:35 25 Jun 24
Review edited from 1 to 5 stars because the organization reached out to me privately and offered a solution. One of my favorite things in life is being able to move from a space of conflict to one of productivity, and Janine ensured just that by handling this complaint in a professional, helpful, and empathetic way. I’m excited to start my course today and learn!Original review: I’m sure the classes and team are great, but unless you have open availability for class date reschedules don’t spend your money here. They often have to change class dates due to low attendance, with a non existent refund policy that sets the expectation that you change your personal calendar to make it fit for whatever random date they choose. I’ve paid in full for the intro course and am now out the full cost.
Anna Durdant-HollambyAnna Durdant-Hollamby
00:23 09 Jun 24
Absolutely loved the birth doula training that I did with SCI and the wonderful Janine. The space itself is so warm, inviting and welcoming and Janine and her co-facilitator brought so much experience, wisdom and insight into the classes. I am a recent Sacramento transplant and SCI was one of the first places that I felt truly at home. The material was engaging and very well paced over the few days. I also really appreciated the inclusivity and intentionality of the language and the connections with the other lovely participants with whom did the training. It was a 10/10 experience and I very much hope/plan to do more training with them in the future. I wholeheartedly recommend SCI to anyone who wants to learn about becoming a doula, parent-educator, parent themselves or general birth practitioner. Also these are amazing classes for anyone who wants to engage with life and its transitions esp around pregnancy and birth more deeply. Thank you Janine, Brooklyn and SCI practitioners/colleagues.
Cassie RayCassie Ray
11:59 08 Jun 24
Sierra Childbirth was such an impactful part of my beginning journey as a doula. I loved all of the personal experience and hands on learning I received.
Serene DeCampSerene DeCamp
23:51 07 Jun 24
SCI delivered a wonderful, comprehensive birth doula workshop for myself and several others a few years back. I highly recommend this institute upon starting your doula journey!
Tonya BridgesTonya Bridges
22:13 07 Jun 24
Sierra Childbirth Institute has fantastic teachers and community for aspiring birth workers. They have provided excellent classes, mentorship and programs which have greatly boosted my Doula skills!
Elizabeth JoyElizabeth Joy
20:23 10 Apr 24
Everything done at Sierra Childbirth Institute is done with excellence. The amount of experience and expertise Janine has is evident in her trainings (I've done three now) and she is great with communication as well. Highly recommend.
Maria LevertMaria Levert
14:15 31 Jan 24
Great space! I have taken a few classes here and it’s always super cozy and comfortable. They always have tea available which is a major plus for me! The space is large enough to teach a small yoga class even and any other class that doesn’t require too much movement. Definitely looking forward to the next time I get to take a class here!
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