Are you a doula or infant support professional ready to confidently support families when the NICU becomes part of their story?
Navigating the NICU for Doulas: Supporting Families Before, During, and After a NICU Stay is a self-paced, on-demand course that bridges the gap traditional doula trainings leave behind—so you can show up with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based guidance.
Start anytime. Learn at your own pace. Return to the lessons whenever you need them.
The Missing Module in Your Doula Training
meet your instructor
Taught by Mary Farrelly
Certified Level IV NICU Nurse, Doula, and Educator
You learned how to support families through birth and postpartum — but what happens when the baby needs the NICU?
Navigating the NICU for Doulas is the missing module in your doula training. This self-paced, on-demand course bridges the gap between medical care and emotional care, helping you confidently support families before, during, and after a NICU stay.
NICU families often feel overwhelmed, isolated, and left out of the “normal” postpartum experience. By understanding the unique needs of these babies and their parents, you can help create a more inclusive, trauma-informed environment where healing and connection can flourish.
Through this comprehensive training, you’ll gain the language, insights, and practical tools to better support NICU babies and the families who love them — with confidence, compassion, and evidence-based care.
Start Building Your NICU Support Skills Today
NICU Education You Don’t Have to Wait For
You don’t need to wait for a live training to get NICU-informed.
Navigating the NICU for Doulas is now a fully self-paced, on-demand course that gives you instant access to over six hours of recorded teaching, real-world insights, and downloadable tools you can start using right away.
Learn directly from Mary Farrelly, a certified NICU nurse, doula, and educator, as she guides you through the essential skills every birth and postpartum professional needs to support families facing NICU stays and complex transitions home.
Your Enrollment Includes:
6+ hours of recorded training content
Printable handouts and reference guides
Lifetime access to course materials and updates
This is NICU education you don’t have to wait for — practical, evidence-based, and ready when you are.
Course Investment: $199 USD
Your investment includes instant, lifetime access to the full Navigating the NICU for Doulas training — the same two-day training attended by over 300 doulas who now support NICU families with confidence.
Upon completion, you’ll earn:
4 hours of continuing education through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
A Certificate of Completion
A Digital Badge to display on your website, social media, or doula profile — showcasing your new NICU-informed skills to future clients
WHAT TO EXPECT
Meet Your Instructor
Mary Farrelly is a certified NICU nurse, doula, nurse educator, mom of two and the founder of The NICU Translator where she helps to bridge the gap between the NICU and home through education, community and 1:1 support.
As a Level IV NICU nurse and nurse educator for over a decade, she has worked with hundreds of NICU families both by treating patients at the bedside and by creating and teaching a comprehensive curriculum for new nurses. Her expertise in neonatal pathophysiology and best practices has been invaluable in preparing nurses and other support professionals to deliver top-tier care to the most vulnerable babies and their families. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Why should you add NICU support to your doula training?
NICU Admissions Are Common: Did you know that approximately 10% of all newborns in the U.S. are admitted to the NICU each year? That’s nearly 400,000 babies who need specialized care and whose families could use your support.
Maternal Mental Health Matters: Around 70% of mothers with babies in the NICU experience symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Your support can be crucial in helping them navigate these emotional challenges.
Make a Huge Impact: NICU families often feel lost and overwhelmed. Your support can be the guiding light that helps them navigate these challenging times.
Boost Your Skills: Become the go-to expert in your community for NICU-related support, setting yourself apart as a compassionate and knowledgeable professional.
Provide Essential Comfort: Be the emotional anchor for families, offering them comfort and hope when they need it the most.
Looking to stand out even more? Become a Certified NICU Doula through NICU Doula Academy. Learn more about the NICU Doula Academy here.
Join Us and Make a Difference!
this isn’t just a training…
It’s your chance to be a lifeline for families navigating the NICU. By joining us, you’ll not only enhance your professional skills but also provide critical support to families when they need it the most.
Together, we can create a more compassionate and supportive environment for NICU babies and their families, ensuring they feel empowered and cared for every step of the way.
Because the NICU is only the beginning…
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Navigating the NICU for Doulas includes the same core curriculum I previously taught live — now offered in a self-paced format so you can access it anytime, from anywhere. The lessons, examples, and tools are exactly what doulas and support professionals have loved for years, delivered in a way that fits your schedule.
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You receive lifetime access to everything inside the course, including:
All video lessons
Downloadable resources and templates
Any future updates
Your CEU documentation and certificate
There is no expiration date, and you can revisit the materials as often as you’d like.
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Yes. The course includes:
4 ICEA Continuing Education (CE) hours, and
A downloadable certificate of completion
These CEUs are accepted by most major doula certifying organizations and are excellent for professional development or recertification.
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Absolutely. This course was designed to be accessible whether:
You’ve never stepped foot in a NICU
You’re a newer doula or NCS
You’re a seasoned support professional who wants NICU-specific skills
You’re a NICU parent now supporting other families
You’re a nurse, educator, or perinatal professional seeking NICU foundations
Everything is taught in a clear, jargon-free way — no clinical background needed.
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No. Navigating the NICU for Doulas teaches non-clinical, in-scope support skills for doulas and support professionals.
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate with parents using trauma-informed language
Introduce NICU topics prenatally
Understand common diagnoses, equipment, and policies
Support bonding and feeding goals
Navigate parent–provider communication
Help families transition home after discharge
But this course does not certify you to provide medical care or work clinically in the NICU.
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You’ll receive:
Full self-paced video curriculum
NICU 101 Cheat Sheet
NICU Birth Plan Template
Suggested Reading List
Access to the Doula Support for NICU Families private Facebook community
4 ICEA CEUs + certificate
Immediate and lifetime access
The content is designed to be practical, easy to revisit, and directly supportive of real-world doula and postpartum work.
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This is one of the most common questions, so here’s a clear breakdown:
Navigating the NICU for Doulas (NTN)
Self-paced
Fast, flexible, foundational NICU training
Designed to help you feel more confident immediately
Ideal for birth doulas, postpartum doulas, NCS, and perinatal pros wanting NICU basics
Includes CEUs + practical tools and templates
NICU Doula Academy (NDA)
A 10-week live certification program
Includes weekly calls, mentorship, and real case studies
Covers advanced emotional support, advocacy, feeding, communication skills, and more
Leads to certification as a Certified NICU Doula
Best for those who want NICU support to be a core part of their career
Many future NDA students start with NTN to build a strong foundation first.
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In most cases, yes. Continuing education and professional development courses are typically tax-deductible for doulas and support professionals.
(Always check with your accountant for guidance based on your business structure.) -
You’ll receive:
Access to our private Facebook community for ongoing support
Lifetime access to course materials
The ability to email my team anytime you need assistance
You’ll never be navigating NICU learning alone.
Curious about how becoming NICU-informed can build your own confidence AND bring in more clients?
Enroll now for free, on-demand access to my my workshop — “NICU-Informed and In-Demand: How Specializing in NICU Support Can Set You Apart and Grow Your Doula Business”.
Why NICU-informed doulas are more in-demand than ever
How this specialty builds visibility, trust, and client retention
What most doulas get wrong about NICU support (and how to shift it)
Simple ways to start offering NICU-informed support today — even if the NICU feels intimidating
What Students are Saying
Interested in Hosting a Private Training or Creating a Custom Session for Your Group?
Reach out here for group rates and more information below or by emailing hello@thenicutranslator.com