State-Approved Program
Oxytocin World
Birth Doula Training
Become the doula families remember
A state-approved birth doula training program grounded in attachment science, birth physiology, and the ethics of care. Rigorous. Human. Deeply practical.
Next online cohort: September 6, 13, 20 (Sundays) (in Russian)
Oxytocin World was built for the person who wants more than a certificate. Who wants to understand why birth unfolds the way it does, how attachment begins before the first breath, what it actually means to hold space for a family at the most vulnerable moment of their lives — and how to do all of that sustainably, professionally, and with full institutional recognition.
Built on a foundation that holds.
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State-approved
Approved training organization, certificates recognized in the USA and other countries
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Medicaid-recognized
Graduates can enroll as Medicaid providers in multiple states across the U.S.
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Expert-led
Designed and taught by Liza Hameza (Schaefer) — experienced certified doula, educator, podcaster, 16+ years, 500+ births.
Program Structure
Phase 1
Self-paced part — 4 weeks to 4–6 months
Access to the platform materials remains open for a year.
Phase 2
Three-Day Intensive — hands-on & embodied
Same curriculum, two delivery paths. Choose weekly online sessions or an immersive in-person weekend in Seattle. Max 12–15 participants per cohort.
Phase 3
Post-Training Support (Group call)
A post-training group call and ongoing certification support to help you take the next steps.
Bonus · Included
Trauma-Informed Care
in Birth Support
This bonus course is included with your training at no extra cost. It fulfills the Washington State Department of Health requirement for successful completion of culturally congruent ancestral practices training and education — a mandatory component of WA State birth doula certification.
Rooted in both modern trauma science and ancestral wisdom traditions, this course weaves together somatic awareness, cultural humility, and evidence-informed frameworks to support you in holding space for all birthing people — across their histories, identities, and experiences.
An investment in a profession, not just a certificate.
$750
Both formats. Includes self-paced curriculum, three-day intensive, post-training group call, state certification guidance, and the Trauma-Informed Care bonus course.
Payment plans available. Scholarships and sliding scale considered on a case-by-case basis — reach out directly.
Next online cohort: September 6, 13, 20 (Sundays) (in Russian)
Before you ask
Frequently asked questions
We've gathered answers to the most common questions about the training. If your question isn't here, reach out through the contact page.
No. The only requirement for enrollment is being 18 or older. No special education, medical experience, or personal birth experience is required. The program is open to anyone who feels called to this work.
The program is available in English, Russian, and Belarusian. Each cohort is taught in one language — check the upcoming cohort dates on this page to see which language the next group runs in.
The self-paced part is fully online. The three-day intensive is held online or in person in Seattle, Washington — your choice. Both options lead to the same result and the same certificate.
The self-paced part takes some students 4 weeks, others 4–6 months — it depends on your pace, schedule, and how deeply you dive into the material. The three-day intensive is three 8-hour days. After the intensive come post-training support and an individual certification call. Access to the platform materials stays open for a year.
Yes. The self-paced part is open at any time. The materials remain available on the platform for a year after you begin the training.
Write to me directly — we'll find a solution. The program is small and intimate, and I do my best to accommodate each student's life circumstances.
Attendance at all three sessions is part of certification, so plan to be there. If an emergency comes up, let us know as early as possible and we will arrange a make-up option or a spot in the next cohort.
To receive the certificate you need to: • complete all modules and tests (minimum score 80%) • complete all written assignments (reviewed by the instructor personally) • attend 3 births as a doula • conduct 3 postpartum visits • complete an individual certification call with the instructor
I review every assignment personally. An assignment is either approved or returned with comments for revision. Only after an assignment is approved does the next test unlock.
Yes. I will help you get oriented on how to find your first clients, but organizing your practice is up to you. The certification module includes a detailed guide for this step.
The certificate is valid for 24 months. To renew it, you need to complete 15 hours of continuing education within that period.
Contact me directly. We will discuss your practice over the past period and choose a continuing education format that fits you.
The program costs $750. The price includes the self-paced program, the three-day intensive, a post-training group call, an individual certification call, and the bonus Trauma-Informed Care course.
Yes. You can pay in 2 installments.
The Oxytocin World certificate is recognized and opens the path to working through Medicaid and insurance companies in the following states: • Washington • Minnesota • Utah • Colorado • California • Connecticut • Florida • Kansas • Louisiana • Massachusetts • Missouri • New York • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • New Mexico • New Hampshire • Delaware • Washington, D.C. • Arkansas • Indiana • Kentucky In total: 22 states plus the District of Columbia. The certification module of the program includes a detailed guide to registering in each state.
The Oxytocin World certificate is a professionally recognized credential in all U.S. states. However, some states have not yet passed legislation that would allow doulas — with any certificate, including ours — to work through insurance companies or Medicaid. This is not a question of the quality of your training, but of legislative development in a given state. The situation is changing quickly: every year new states introduce doula reimbursement programs. In those states, clients simply pay for doula services directly.
Yes. Oxytocin World is approved by the Carrot Fertility program. Graduates can apply to join the Carrot network using their Oxytocin World certificate. For questions: doula@get-carrot.com
Yes. Doula work is not a licensed medical profession in most countries of the world. The Oxytocin World certificate is valid internationally. Graduates practice in Israel, Belarus, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Poland, Switzerland, Qatar, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. The certification module includes a guide to obtaining professional recognition in different countries.
Click "Apply for the next cohort", fill out the short reflection questionnaire, and submit. We review applications in the order received and usually respond within a few days with confirmation of your spot and the next steps.
Your instructor
Liza Hameza (Schaefer)
Liza Hameza (Schaefer) has been doing birth work since 2010. Since then she has attended over 500 births, supported more than 60 families through the postpartum period, and conducted postpartum recovery work with over 600 women across Belarus, Cyprus, and the United States.
She began teaching and mentoring doulas in 2019. Her programs — including a Birth Story Map three-week course and a six-week Childbirth Education course for doulas — have reached students across multiple countries.
She has been an invited speaker at doula conferences and has trained with leading practitioners in the field, including Dr. Michel Odent, founder of the Primal Health Research Centre, Liliana Lammers, respected British doula and educator, and Pam England, founder of Birthing from Within.
Her background spans demography, cultural heritage, and the study of ancestral birth and postpartum traditions.
Oxytocin World Birth Doula Training reflects 16 years of that work — distilled into a program that prepares doulas not just to support birth, but to understand it.