From Burnout to Sustainability: Building Doula Practices That Expand Access and Preserve Care

Doulas are essential to improving maternal and family outcomes , yet many doulas struggle to sustain their work long-term, limiting access for the families who need support most. This session explores how doula sustainability is not just a business issue, but an equity issue.

Drawing on real-world experience as a doula, educator, and founder of a community-based perinatal care model, Ash Gerhard will guide participants through practical, evidence-informed strategies for building financially sustainable doula practices while staying aligned with values of access, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care. Attendees will explore how systems literacy, collaboration, and supportive infrastructure can reduce burnout, expand access, and strengthen the future of doula care. This session offers concrete tools doulas can adapt to their own communities, regardless of practice size or setting.