EBB 409 - Business Advice for New Doulas with Katie Nyberg, Doula Trainer and Founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies

A passion for supporting families during birth is the foundation for a career as a doula. But once that foundation has been laid, it takes business skills, boundaries, and collaboration to be sustainable.   In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Katie Nyberg, founder of The Iowa Baby Ladies, about her journey from fifth-grade teacher to doula, trainer, and owner of one of Iowa's largest doula agencies. Katie shares the early lessons she learned about setting fees, communicating with clients, and navigating the unpredictable realities of on-call work. Katie also opens up about the exhaustion that once made her consider leaving birth work altogether, and the changes that helped her build a more sustainable career. She discusses how recognizing the root causes of burnout, diversifying income, creating intentional seasons of work and rest, and building supportive relationships with other doulas keep her going.   (02:05) Katie's journey from teacher to birth doula (04:55) Early lessons in business, fees, and communication (07:21) Setting healthy boundaries with clients (11:40) Navigating childcare and the on-call doula lifestyle (14:02) Preparing for long births and using backup support (19:53) Recognizing and addressing doula burnout (25:45) Saying no and making space for rest (27:05) Growing The Iowa Baby Ladies (33:41) Advice for new doulas getting started (37:02) Overcoming imposter syndrome through education and experience (43:13) Advice for building a lasting doula career Resources Learn more about the EBB Instructor Program: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/become-an-evidence-based-birth-instructor/ Find an EBB Instructor: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/find-an-instructor-parents/ Follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theiowababylady/ Learn more about the Iowa Baby Ladies: https://theiowababylady.com/ Evidence on: Doulas EBB 364 – How to Prevent and Heal Birthworker Burnout with Doctoral Student Ihotu Ali and Grace Flannery, Certified Professional Midwife