Doula eligibility requirements

Certification

Doulas need to hold a current and valid certificate. Some commonly used certification programs include (but are not limited to):

  • BirthWorks International

  • CAPPA: Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

  • ToLabor

  • DONA International

  • ICEA: International Childbirth Education Association

Training

The doula must have attended at least 24 hours of evidence-informed training that included one or more of the following areas:

  • Physiology of labor

  • Labor doula training

  • Antepartum doula training

  • Postpartum doula training

  • Bereavement training

Their training must also require periodic certification renewal and/or continuing education.

Experience

The doula must be at least 18 years old and have spent a minimum of 15 hours providing doula services in one or more of the following areas:

  • Continuous labor support for at least three childbirths as the primary labor doula supporting the birthing parent. At least two of those births must be vaginal births. The doula must also have provided antepartum and postpartum support for at least one birth.

  • Postpartum support following at least three childbirths

  • Bereavement support for at least three pregnancy losses

New documentation requirements

Starting July 15, 2024, you will need to provide the following documents to use Carrot funds for eligible doula services. Please note that a separate contract and business tax ID will no longer be required.

Attestation form

The current PDF attestation form on this page will only be accepted on or before July 14, 2024.

On July 15, 2024, you'll be able to send your doula the attestation form from your Carrot account. We'll send them a link to complete and sign the form electronically.

We recommend taking this step before paying for services or submitting expenses. When your doula accesses the form, they'll be asked to:

  • Provide their contact information
  • Attest to meeting our certification, training, and experience requirements
  • Upload a copy of their up-to-date doula certificate from a doula-certifying organization
  • Such organizations include but are not limited to DONA International, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), and BirthWorks International
  • Share details about the services they plan to provide

We’ll review the form as soon as possible and send you a message when it’s approved. If we need any additional information, we’ll follow up with your doula directly.

Itemized statement

For each expense you submit, you must upload a statement on the doula’s letterhead. Each statement must include:

  • Label that reads: “For Carrot reimbursement”
  • The legal name of the business and the doula providing services
  • The doula’s address and phone number
  • The service recipient’s name
  • Date(s) of service
  • Type of doula services provided (prenatal and birth, postpartum, pregnancy loss)
  • Amount paid on this statement
  • Total contract cost
  • Remaining contract balance

For postpartum services, the statement must also include:

  • The service recipient’s delivery date
  • An itemized list of each service provided, including:
  • Postpartum service type: Daytime postpartum support or overnight postpartum support
  • Hours provided per service type
  • Hourly rate per service type
  • The number of hours worked per day: You may receive up to 16 hours of service per 24-hour period

If a backup doula provides services in cases of illness or emergency, the reason for backup coverage must be documented on the statement.

Proof of payment

If your statement does not show proof of payment, you’ll also need to upload one of the following documents that shows the charge.

Please note that the amount and provider name must match your statement:

  • A credit card or bank statement
  • A screenshot from a payment app