Best Online Doulas

Nourish Birth + Postpartum is the best online doula service overall

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Doulas provide physical, emotional, and educational support to families during the prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum periods. Studies show that having a doula can significantly reduce cesarean rates and improve the outcomes for women in labor. And with virtual care on the rise, many doulas are now offering their services online.

With the help of technology, doulas can connect with clients—regardless of location. And for those who need birth and postpartum support, this option is an absolute lifesaver. The best online doulas have various certifications, specialties, and experience levels, which may be confusing to parse. There’s an online provider out there who can meet your needs, whether you’re looking for a birth doula, postpartum doula, or both. Since finding the right provider can be challenging, we've compiled a list of our top picks—all of which offer virtual support—to help you get started.

Best Online Doulas of 2023

Best Overall : Nourish Birth + Postpartum


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $500 to $1,600
  • Number of Packages: 5
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

Nourish Birth + Postpartum is our top pick because of its comprehensive approach to support. Its doulas offer virtual birth prep, labor, and postpartum care—including infant care and breastfeeding support.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Chat support throughout pregnancy

  • Birth plan assistance

  • Membership portal of evidence-based resource material

Cons
  • Phone support is limited to top-tier package

  • Payment plans not available

Overview

Nourish Birth + Postpartum is a full-spectrum doula service providing support throughout the entire birth and postpartum journey. It offers five virtual-based packages ranging from $500 to $1,600 designed to help you tackle parenthood’s challenges with confidence. From a postpartum meal delivery service that's available nationwide to a robust library of online resources, Nourish Birth + Postpartum has everything you need to get through the early days and weeks with ease.

The company's prenatal packages includes a unique combination of services: one virtual prenatal meeting, ongoing chat support, an on-demand breastfeeding class, and access to an online membership portal with thousands of evidence-based resources. The Virtual Birth Prep and Labor Doula packages have additional benefits, like phone support and virtual doula support during labor. You can even add a la carte services to create the best combination for your unique journey.

Training & Experience

Camille Fiori, the founder of Nourish Birth + Postpartum, is a DONA-certified birth doula and ayurvedic postpartum doula. Her long list of credentials includes certified advanced newborn care specialist, certified lactation educator counselor, Hypnobabies childbirth hypnosis instructor, Hypnobabies childbirth hypno-doula, and health coach. With nearly two decades of experience, Camille has helped thousands of expectant and new parents confidently navigate birth and beyond.

Plans & Pricing

Nourish Birth + Postpartum has five virtual-based packages ranging from $500 to $1,600.

  • Virtual Postpartum Prep: $500
  • Virtual Infant Care Specialist: $600/month
  • Virtual Birth Preparation: $1,000
  • Virtual Postpartum Doula & Newborn Care Specialist: $1,200
  • Virtual Birth Prep & Labor Doula: $1,600

Best for At-Home Birth : Harmony Doula Group


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $1,500 to $3,000 (sliding scale)
  • Number of Packages: N/A (custom)
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

Harmony Doula Group offers a range of services that cater to families planning an at-home birth, including prenatal, birth and labor, and postpartum support to help give you peace of mind when the big day arrives.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Unlimited text, phone, and email support

  • Online database of resources

  • Weekly Zoom-led group childbirth classes

Cons
  • Additional fee for private childbirth classes

  • May not be available in cases of preterm labor

Overview

For those families planning a home birth, Harmony Doula Group has a range of services to help you prepare. Services include prenatal support to get you and your partner comfortable with the birthing process, as well as labor and delivery support. Beginning at 37 weeks, the team of certified professional doulas will be on call 24/7 to provide guidance and encouragement leading up to, during, and after birth. 

The Virtual Doula package includes postpartum support, which covers breastfeeding, chestfeeding, early bonding, postpartum check-ins, and monthly support group meetings. Its digital library covers the ins and outs of your entire birth journey—from pregnancy and childbirth to early parenting. A "birth rehearsal" session is included to help you and your partner feel confident and prepared for the big day. Services are available via a sliding scale, which starts at $1,500 and goes up to $3,000 depending on your family's budget.

Training & Experience

Harmony Doula Group is a team of three certified doulas, all with extensive experience in supporting families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Its certifications include DONA International, American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (known as The Bradley Method), lactation and childbirth education, certified midwife's assistant, certified lactation educator counselor, and more.

Plans & Pricing

Harmony Doula Group has one plan that covers services to support you at every point of your birth journey including prenatal and postpartum. The virtual doula package is charged on a sliding scale of $1,500 to $3,000.

Best for First-Time Pregnancy : Mother Nurture


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $1,200
  • Number of Packages: 1
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

Having a baby is a big life change, and first-time parents often have a lot of questions. Mother Nurture offers a virtual doula package that provides guidance and support from start to finish, helping ease your anxiety by answering any questions you may have along the way.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Phone, email, audio messaging via app, and video support

  • Help creating a custom birth plan

  • Monthly prep emails and recommendations

Cons
  • Limited one-on-one postpartum support included

  • No online resource library mentioned

Overview

Mother Nurtures’ virtual doula support package is perfect for first-time parents who want guidance and support throughout the entire pregnancy journey. You'll have access to a certified professional doula via phone, email, and Voxer (a secure audio messaging app) from the time you sign up until postpartum. After exploring your birth preferences, your doula will help you write a custom birth plan that reflects your wishes. When it's time for your baby to arrive, they’re available throughout the entire process via your preferred communication method.

You'll also have access to a two-hour, on-demand childbirth class, which focuses on preparing your partner for the big day. Postpartum support is included in the package and begins as soon as you're home from the hospital. The video check-in focuses on how you're adjusting and provides additional guidance—whether you need help with breastfeeding or pumping, postpartum recovery, or referrals to local resources.

In addition to providing emotional support, the Mother Nurture package comes with a ton of bonus resources. You'll receive monthly prep emails with information and recommendations on everything from pregnancy nutrition to breastfeeding. You'll also receive a birth guidebook, and a helpful postpartum planner to prepare for life after the baby.

Training & Experience

Mother Nurtures' Amy Durham has been a certified birth and postpartum doula since 2015, attending more than 300 live births. She has extensive specialized training and certifications, including VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), massage, acupressure, aromatherapy, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), waterbirth, hypnobirthing, Spinning Babies, high-risk labor support, breastfeeding, and more. She's also certified in first aid and CPR.

Plans & Pricing

Mother Nurture has one virtual doula support package that covers your entire pregnancy journey, or you can choose to pay for a la carte sessions.

  • Prenatal consultation: $100/hour
  • Birth planning session: $150/1.5 hours
  • Breech solutions: $150/1.5 hours
  • Virtual doula support package: $1,200

Best for Postpartum : Major Care


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $29 to $199 per month
  • Number of Packages: 2
  • Free Consultation: No
Why We Chose It

For all your postpartum questions, Major Care has you covered via its handy smartphone app that includes on-call virtual support from certified doulas 24/7. You'll also have access to a wealth of written and video resources covering all aspects of postpartum life.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Unlimited text support

  • On-demand video with a certified doula

  • Access to a postpartum resource library

Cons
  • Strictly for the postpartum stage

  • Unlimited video plan is pricey

Overview

Need postpartum support from certified doulas? There's an app for that. With Major Care, you can text or video chat with a certified professional 24/7 and access a library of postpartum resources. There are two plans: one with text support for $29 per month, and one with text plus unlimited video support for $199 per month. If you choose the video support plan, you'll have access to on-demand video chats with a certified doula as often as you need. You can also browse Major Care's library of articles and videos on topics like breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, healthy recipes, and more whenever you like.

While the text support plan is more affordable, it's worth noting that you'll only be able to text with a certified doula, although this is unlimited. Either way, you're able to communicate with a trained professional about the recovery stage, caring for your newborn, lactation and feeding, and postpartum emotions. Prenatal support is not included in either plan, as Major Care's doulas focus strictly on the postpartum stage. However, the convenience of having doula support at any given moment via text or video chat is priceless for new parents.

Training & Experience

Major Care was created by doulas, for doulas. The team is made up of certified postpartum and lactation professionals who are available 24/7 to provide support via text or video chat. Its staff has a broad range of credentials and certifications, including DONA postpartum, bereavement, lactation, babywearing, infant sleep, newborn care, and more.

Plans & Pricing

Major Care has two plans: one with text support for $29 per month, and one with text plus unlimited video support for $199 per month.

Best for C-Section : WŌM


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $3,000 to $4,500
  • Number of Packages: 2
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

Centered on providing quality, evidence-based support during your journey to parenthood—no matter what path it takes—WŌM is a great resource for all new birthing parents, including those planning to have a C-section.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10 weekly sessions

  • Uses a holistic framework

  • Includes access to Mothering the Mother online course

Cons
  • Labor support only available with top-tier package

  • May not have a backup doula available

Overview

WŌM combines pregnancy support, virtual birth preparation, and postpartum planning into one cohesive package that's perfect for parents expecting a C-section. You'll have access to quality, evidence-based information on everything from healthy eating and stress management to practical tips for a smooth C-section recovery

WŌM offers two doula coaching packages: The Essentials + Birth Prep and The Essentials + Birth Prep Full Access. Both include 10 weekly sessions and access to the Mothering the Mother online course. Full access also includes on-call birth support and unlimited support via Voxer, email, and phone. After birth, both packages come with two weeks of postpartum sessions, plus 30-day access to an on-demand resource library. Other valuable postpartum services include birth story processing, lactation education, and restorative exercise guidance.

Training & Experience

WŌM founder Keya Merah Nkonoki is an award-winning facilitator, trainer, and certified birth and postpartum doula. With more than two decades of experience and various certifications in lactation education, yoga, mindfulness, and newborn care. Keya provides online birth and wellness support to families across the country.

Plans & Pricing

WŌM has two doula coaching packages: The Essentials + Birth Prep and The Essentials + Birth Prep Full Access. The Full Access package includes unlimited doula support.

  • The Essentials + Birth Prep: $3,000
  • The Essentials + Birth Prep Full Access: $4,500

Best for VBAC : Little Bear Lactation


Little Bear Lactation

Little Bear Lactation

Key Specs
  • Pricing: $75 to $125
  • Number of Packages: 4
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

Little Bear Lactation caters to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) parents. It also offers a free VBAC prep class and a variety of lactation services, so you can continue to receive support even after your baby is born.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Several free VBAC resources

  • Lactation services available

  • Birth plan consultations offered

Cons
  • No unlimited support plans

  • Per session pricing only

Overview

Little Bear Lactation offers a wealth of resources for those interested in vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), including a free VBAC prep class and 30-minute consulting session. There are three virtual doula packages to choose from: lactation consulting, birth plan consulting, and VBAC consulting. The website also hosts a variety of on-demand courses, resources, and a podcast geared toward VBAC moms called theVBACpodcast.

The consulting sessions are conducted via video chat, so you can receive personalized advice and support from the comfort of your own home. And the VBAC With Confidence Complete Prep Course puts you in control of your birth, helping you feel confident and prepared as labor nears.

Training & Experience

Jaimie Zaki is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and birth/postpartum doula with over a decade of healthcare experience, and more than six years of lactation and childbirth support. She currently provides virtual and in-person support to families throughout the United States.

Plans & Pricing

There are three virtual doula packages to choose from: lactation consulting, birth plan consulting, and VBAC consulting. But, you can also choose to pay for consultations piecemeal.

  • Combating Fear During VBAC class: Free
  • VBAC With Confidence Complete Prep Course: $97
  • 30-minute VBAC consultation: Free
  • 30-minute virtual prenatal lactation consultation: $75
  • Virtual lactation postpartum consultation: $125

Best for High-Risk Pregnancy : National Baby Co.


National Baby Co.

National Baby Co.

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Varies
  • Number of Packages: Custom
  • Free Consultation: Varies
Why We Chose It

National Baby Co. is a virtual birth and postpartum doula directory, meaning you can choose from a variety of certified and experienced professionals to support you during your pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The site can connect you with a high-risk pregnancy expert based on your situation and needs.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Matches you with one to three doulas that meet your needs

  • Budget-friendly options

  • Database is free to use

Cons
  • Not able to browse doula listing yourself

  • May not find the right fit

Overview

If you're looking for a high-risk pregnancy expert, National Baby Co. will help you find the perfect doula for your needs. Its database of certified and experienced professionals includes virtual doulas, lactation consultants, sleep consultants, and mental health therapists—all waiting to be paired with families. The matching service is completely free to expectant parents, and you can make note of your preferences to ensure you're connected with the right doula for your needs.

The online inquiry form covers everything from your budget to your due date and the type of support you're looking for. You'll be connected with one to three doulas that fit your needs. Once you've found the right match, you can begin the process of interviewing and hiring your doula. National Baby Co. offers a variety of budget-friendly options, so you can find the perfect level of services without breaking the bank.

Training & Experience

Each doula in the National Baby Co. database has been certified by DONA International, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), or another professional organization. They also all hold a child and infant CPR and pediatric first aid certification. Other requirements for listing in the directory include liability insurance, background checks, references, and a virtual or in-person interview.

Plans & Pricing

National Baby Co. connects you with doulas based on the support you're looking for, so plans and pricing vary based on the provider you're matched with.

Best for Rainbow Baby : The Womb Room


Key Specs
  • Pricing: $195 to $1,195 per package
  • Number of Packages: 3
  • Free Consultation: Yes
Why We Chose It

The Womb Room is a unique doula agency that specializes in supporting families with emotional and physical needs related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Its mental health services are provided by licensed therapists and are ideal for families experiencing a rainbow pregnancy.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Able to choose your communication method

  • Support-system mapping

  • Private support group included

Cons
  • Postpartum support may be limited

  • A la carte services not listed

Overview

The Womb Room is a Baltimore-based agency with a team of certified doulas, licensed therapists, and mental health professionals. It offers in-person and virtual support, as well as several packages to meet the needs of every family. The Womb Room's mission is to provide “knowledge, connections, and healing” to families during the prenatal, postpartum, and early parenting stages. Virtual doula services include a free consultation to find the doula that best fits your needs. The three package options range in price from $195 to $1,195.

The Womb Room's team of experts will work with you to create a custom care plan. In addition to doula services, it offers placenta encapsulation (the process of dehydrating and grinding the placenta into powder form to be taken by the birthing parent for nutrients during the postpartum period), sleep consultation, and lactation support. And its team of mental health professionals can provide additional support for families welcoming a rainbow baby—or struggling with any other emotional issue related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

Training & Experience

The Womb Room's experts are all certified and experienced in supporting families during the perinatal period. They are also trained in mental health first aid and have a wealth of experience working with families who have experienced loss and are preparing to welcome a rainbow baby.

Plans & Pricing

The Womb Room offers three package options.

  • Doula Birth Planning: $195
  • Doula Pregnancy Support: $395
  • Virtual Doula Birth Support: $1,195

Final Verdict

No matter which agency you choose, working with an online doula can help you feel more prepared for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting—and give you the support you need to feel your best during this special time in your life.

Nourish Birth + Postpartum is the best overall online doula agency, thanks to its wide range of services, experienced team of doulas, and affordable pricing. If you're looking for a more specialized service, The Womb Room is the best option for families welcoming a rainbow baby. And if you're high-risk or have a complicated pregnancy, National Baby Co. can match you with a doula who offers specialized support in any area you need.

Compare the Best Online Doulas

 Company Pricing # of Packages  Free Consultation Platforms Available
Nourish Birth + Postpartum Best Overall $500 to $1,600  5 Yes  Zoom
Harmony Doula Group Best for At-Home Birth $1,500 to $3,000 (sliding scale) Custom  Yes Zoom
Mother Nurture Best for First-Time Pregnancy $1,200  Yes FaceTime or Zoom 
Major Care Best for Postpartum  $29 to $199 per month  No App, Zoom
WŌM Best for C-Section $3,000 to $4,500 2 Yes Zoom, Voxer
Little Bear Lactation Best for VBAC $75 to $275 4 Yes Google Meet or Zoom
National Baby Co Best for High-Risk Pregnancy $35 to $85+ per hour Custom Varies based on the provider Zoom, Skype
The Womb Room Best for Rainbow Baby $195 to $1,195 per package 3 Yes Zoom

Guide to Choosing the Best Online Doulas

When you're comparing online doulas, here are a few questions to keep in mind:

  • Services offered: What services does the agency offer? Do they provide support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period? Do they offer lactation support?
  • Cost:  How much does the doula charge for their services? Is there a package price or do they charge by the hour?
  • Certifications: What certifications or training does the doula have? Are they certified by DONA International, CAPPA, or other organizations?
  • Experience: How many births has the doula attended? Do they have any additional certifications, such as in breastfeeding or postpartum support?
  • Testimonials: What do other families have to say about the doula's services? Does the doula have positive reviews?
  • Flexibility: Is the doula flexible and able to work around your schedule? Do they offer 24/7 support?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Does an Online Doula Do?

    Online doulas typically provide support through pregnancy with educational resources, creating a birth plan, and answering any questions you have about pregnancy or birth. Online doulas can offer guidance and support during labor and delivery, as well as practical and emotional support during the early postpartum weeks. Some are also trained or certified in lactation support to help with breastfeeding.

  • What Are the Benefits of an Online Doula?

    According to research from 2017 and 2022, women who had doula support during labor are more likely to have improved outcomes and less likely to have a c-section or postpartum depression and anxiety. “Every doula has their own spin on services, but prenatal appointments often cover birth positioning, education and information about the physiology of birth, possible interventions (assisted delivery), breathing and other pain management techniques (massage, counter pressure),” says Sabia C. Wade, a full-spectrum doula and CeraVe Baby expert consultant.

  • Should You Hire an Online Doula?

    Virtual doulas offer support and guidance from anywhere in the world. This is especially beneficial for families who live in rural areas or who have limited access to doulas in their area. Online doulas are more affordable than in-person doulas, and can still improve birth outcomes and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

    Online doulas can help you feel more confident and capable as a parent while also serving as an advocate for you, says Wade, ensuring that you receive the best care and understand all your options during pregnancy and delivery.

  • Are Online Doulas Worth It?

    There are several benefits to hiring an online doula, including flexibility, cost, convenience, and improved outcomes. However, there are also a few drawbacks. One drawback is that you won't have the same level of interaction with an online doula as you would with an in-person doula. You may not be able to form the same bond or build the same relationship. If you want someone to attend your birth in person, you may need to hire an in-person doula in addition to an online one.

  • Do Doulas Allow Epidurals?

    A doula's primary role is to provide emotional, informational, and physical support to help the labor process flow as smoothly as possible. Just as most doulas should support an unmedicated birth, they should also support the use of an epidural if you choose to have one. Before you select a doula, make sure to ask potential doulas about their views on epidurals to ensure they align with yours.

Methodology

When compiling our list of the best online doulas, we considered nearly two dozen virtual doula services. We looked at the doula's experience, training, and certifications to ensure they were qualified to provide support. We also looked at the cost of their services and whether they offer package deals or discounts. In addition, we considered the doulas' reviews and testimonials to get an idea of what other families thought of their services. 

Finally, we looked at the doula's flexibility and availability to make sure they would be able to work around your schedule. Our final picks are all experienced, certified, and highly rated by families. They offer a variety of services designed for those looking for support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Best Online Doulas

Verywell Family /Design by Amelia Manley

Article Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Approaches to limit intervention during labor and birth.

  2. Falconi AM, Bromfield SG, Tang T, et al. Doula care across the maternity care continuum and impact on maternal health: evaluation of doula programs across three states using propensity score matching. EClinicalMed. 2022;50:101531. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101531

  3. Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7(7):CD003766. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6

By Lindsay Modglin
Lindsay is a nurse-turned professional mental health and wellness writer with 9+ years of clinical healthcare experience.

Edited by Ally Hirschlag
Allison "Ally" Hirschlag

Ally is an expert in health, science, sustainability, wellness, mental health, and parenting. She has written for publications including The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more.

Learn about our editorial process