What is BDOC?

BDOC, Black Doulas of Columbia Collective, is a group of Black doulas centering around Black birthers. Our mission is to bring awareness to the importance of Black doulas and to restore autonomy, trust, and knowledge to the Black birthing community. We provide doula services, a mentoring program, and a membership program for active doulas.

What is a doula?

A doula is a companion who supports a birthing person. They are trained to provide continuous, one-on-one care, information, and physical, and emotional support to birthing persons and their partners. Doulas do not perform any medical tasks.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A doula provides physical, emotional, informational, and advocacy support to a birthing person during fertility to postpartum. A midwife provides medical care to the birthing person during pregnancy and postpartum.

What is the effect that doulas have on birth outcomes?

• 50% reduction in the cesarean rate

• 25% shorter labor

• 40% reduction in pitocin use

• Improved breastfeeding

• Reported satisfaction with birth experience

• Decreased postpartum depression

There are no disadvantages to having doulas supporting birthing people during birth.

Does a doula replace my birth partner?

No. A doula provides support to both the birthing person and their partner.

Can a doula help outside of birth?

Yes. Doulas provide support for various reasons. Reach out to one of our doulas to see how they can assist you no matter what stage you are in regarding your reproductive health journey.

Is a doula chosen for me?

You are free to choose and contact a doula from the Meet Our Doulas page or have one chosen for you! We will meet with you and choose a doula who best aligns with your needs and goals. Just contact us to let us know!

For BDOC Supporters and Doulas

What does my donation go toward?

Thank you for your donation! Donations go towards all things BDOC such as the ability for us to attend events so that we can spread awareness about our services, tools we need to support our trainees and mentees, pantry items for the community, doula services for those who can't afford it, and so much more.

Can I donate something other than money?

Yes! Feel free to donate new, unopened wipes and diapers of any size or unopened, unexpired formula. Thank you for your support.

Do you offer training for aspiring doulas?

Yes! Please expect more information about our training program to be released in January 2024. Check out our programs for more details.

How do you choose someone to join the collective?

We meet with each applicant and ensure that those we ask to join our collective are not only active doulas within our community, but that their values and mission align with our own. Each person is given our utmost appreciation for their time and willingness to apply. Visit the Join the Collective page for more information about our expectations.

Can I get a refund after joining and I decide to leave the collective? 

No. There are no refunds.

Have a question you don't see here? Contact us.