How Do You Make On-Call Life Work as a Doula?
Let’s talk about being on call as a Doula. You’ve heard the stories, a baby decides to make their grand entrance at 2 a.m. while you and your family are all fast asleep. It feels like a mission to get up and ready without disturbing anyone, potentially leaving your partner standing bleary-eyed in the hallway, having to manage it all whilst you are away. It can feel like it might be chaotic. But you can absolutely make on-call life work, even with a family, a busy schedule, and a dog who thinks every ringing phone is his cue to bark!
What really helps is a little planning, a supportive village, and the ability to laugh when things naturally might get a little unorganised sometimes!
Boundaries are your best friend, and it’s ok for this to feel uncomfortable at first! When you’re on call, it’s easy to feel like you’re always “available.” But being on call doesn’t mean being glued to your phone 24/7 or living in a constant state of “What if?” It means setting clear boundaries and sticking to them. Your boundaries are your own too, they might look different to other Doulas you know, and that is
Communicate your availability upfront. Let your clients know what on-call means to you. For example, if you’re picking up your kids or attending a family event, it’s okay to explain that you’ll step out for urgent calls but may not respond instantly to every text.
Give yourself permission to take breaks. Doulas are allowed a life. Block off time if you need it. You’re human and people understand this (and if they don’t maybe you don’t want to be working with them!)
Build Your Backup Team (a.k.a. Your Village!) Most Doulas don’t do this work alone. So work out who’s going to step in when you’re called away mid-dinner, that’s where your village comes in.
If you are a parent, line up your childcare. Whether it’s your partner, a friend, or the world’s greatest babysitter, make sure you’ve got someone on standby who understands the flexibility needed and can step in
Have a Doula buddy. Find a fellow Doula to act as your backup in case two clients go into labour at once or you’re dealing with an emergency. There are so many benefits to shared care, you feel supported, your clients feel secure and you’ll have someone to debrief with afterward (Doula experiences are best shared with someone who gets it).
Don’t forget about household support. Who’s going to feed the dog, fold the washing? Whether it’s your partner, a meal delivery service, or a bit of pre-planned chaos, have a system in place.
Get Organized (and Stay Ready) When you’re on call, preparation is key. Setting up your “Doula kit” in advance makes it super calm , not just for you, but for your family too.
Pack your Doula bag. Keep it stocked with snacks, your phone charger, all your comforts for you and your client, and anything else you’ll need for a potential long labour. You’ll thank yourself at 4 a.m. when you’re reaching for that granola bar!
Create a home plan. Have meals prepped in the freezer, a list of phone numbers on the fridge, and a backup plan for school runs, dog walks, and general household bits whilst you are away.
Keep your schedule clear-ish. Being on call doesn’t mean you can’t have a life, but it does mean leaving some wiggle room. Plan flexible activities and avoid booking anything you can’t reschedule.
Talk to Your Family - This one’s important. On-call life doesn’t just affect you, it does affect everyone in your household. If they don’t get it as much as you would like (this can be especially true of little ones) sit down and have an honest conversation about what being a Doula means to you and the families you work with and how they are a. really important part of the process!
Explain the “why.” Let them know why you’re doing this work and how much it means to you. Passion is contagious, and when they understand your “why,” it really helps.
Involve them in the plan. Make them feel like part of the team, because they are! Maybe your children can help pack your Doula bag, shop for your Doula snacks with you. Our founder Sam has a special heart necklace that splits in two, and when she is at a birth her and her daughter (who’s 6) wear one half each! So cute.
Acknowledge their sacrifices. Sometimes, you will miss a dinner or a school event. That can be tough, but a little appreciation goes a long way. Thank them for their flexibility and let them know it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Be Flexible (As we know Babies don’t do schedules)
Birth is unpredictable, and as a Doula, you’re signing up for that. Some labours will be short and sweet; others will test your stamina (and your coffee supply).
Accept the unpredictability. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve got everything under control. Other days, you’ll be juggling school runs, a last-minute birth, other commitments, it’s okay. You’ve got this, this is the time to ring another Doula and rant, it helps!
Give yourself grace. On-call life isn’t perfect, and you don’t have to be either. Celebrate the wins, laugh at the chaos, and remember that you’re doing incredible work.
Why It’s Worth It!
Is being on call easy? Not always. But is it worth it? for most of us, 100%! There’s nothing quite like supporting a family through one of the most life-changing moments they’ll ever experience. And yes, it takes effort, planning, and a bit of trial and error, but when you find your rhythm, it’s incredibly rewarding.
If you’re considering becoming a Doula, don’t let the on-call life scare you off. With the right tools, training, and support, you can thrive in this role. The Perinatal Academy’s Doula training courses are designed to help you build a career that fits your life, whether you’re balancing family commitments, a current job, or anything else on your plate.
The truth is, you can make on-call life work, with a little preparation, a lot of support (which you get when you train with us) and a sense of humour when things don’t go as planned. Because let’s face it: if you can handle the unpredictability of birth, you can handle anything!
For a copy of our Doula training brochure click here