The discussion about professional practices in the Brazilian obstetric model becomes potent when it is possible to highlight the performance of each actor in this scenario. This study aimed to analyze the motivational factors for women seeking the formation of doula and to develop their professional activities. It is an exploratory-descriptive qualitative research, carried out with 13 doulas, specific training participants, through individual telephone interviews. After the analysis of the testimonies, two categories emerged: The reason for the formation in the doula course; and Reference groups as a perspective for the work of doulas. It was evidenced that individual experiences with the birth itself motivated women in the search for this formation and that the strengthening of professionalization through the constitution of groups is a form sought by the doulas to qualify their work in obstetrics. © 2016, Institute de Medicina Social da UERJ. All rights reserved.26413951407