• $450 or 2 monthly payments of $240

Birth Doula Certification

  • Course
  • 76 Lessons

Learn to professionally support families during pregnancy, birth, and right after with integrity and compassion, along with important business skills to get started. All can completed from the comfort of your own home with modules that include videos, reading, and writing assignments. Live, interactive online classes are included and scheduled after registration to get personal and community support during the entire process. Traditional language used. Non-political. Culturally diverse. 

Contents

Welcome!

Course Instructions

What is a Doula?

You will learn about what your role will be and the proven benefits backed up by studies!
What is a Doula?
Benefits of Doula Care
A Woman Who Serves Doula Scope.pdf

Female Anatomy and Conception

The female body was "fearfully and wonderfully made." The process of conception is an amazing process that begins the life of the baby. As you learn more about how it all begins, you are more prepared to guide your clients through pregnancy and understanding the development of the baby throughout pregnancy. 
Female Anatomy.mp4
Fertilization
From Conception to Birth
Life at Conception.pdf

Prenatal Testing

Read attached file to familiarize yourself with typical testing and pdf regarding the percentage of false positives for genetic defects.
Prenatal Testing.pdf
Prenatal Testing False Positives and Abortion.pdf

Labor & Birth

You will learn how to describe and understand the entire process of labor and birth as you begin working with clients. Watch the videos and download the client friendly handout. 
Stages of Labor.mp4
AWWS STAGES OF LABOR Handout.pdf
CardinalMovements.pdf
Doula Class Ring of Fire.MP4
Animated Birth
Water Birth Story
Delayed Cord Clamping (Natural Cord Clamping)

Labor Positions for Progression of Labor

You will learn some key positioning and movements that you can guide a pregnant woman through and when the best time to do each one is, to aid in labor progression.
Doula Class Labor Positions.MP4
AWWS Labor Positions Cheat Sheet.pdf
Sidelying Release

Bloodborne Pathogens & Sanitation

How to protect yourself from exposure and what to do when exposed. 
What is your risk as a doula?
What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?
How to Reduce Your Risk
Universal Precautions

Relaxation Techniques in Labor

You will learn about specific techniques you can perform for your client to guide them to relaxation during labor. The emotional state affects what is happening in the body, so this is one of the most important aspects of your job. Please download and print out the various handouts included in module to reference, watch videos, and complete written assignments listed in lessons. The PDF on Comfort in Labor is excellent to also use as a resource with clients. 
Comfort in Labor.pdf
Guide For Birth Partners.pdf
TakeChargeRoutine.pdf
Calming Anxiety.pdf
Positive Affirmations.mp4
Breathing Techniques.mp4
Slow Dancing Technique
Care of a Woman With Epidural
Assignments

Interventions in Labor

You will learn about the various interventions used by medical professionals during labor and how to limit the use of them and therefore reduce health risks, including the current recommendations made by ACOG to reduce their use to have better birth outcomes. 
AWWS Handout Induction of Labor.pdf
AWWS Big Babies Handout.pdf
ACOG Induction of Labor.pdf
Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth ACOG.pdf
Doula Class Interventions.mp4
Reading Assignments

Informed Consent

Learn how to empower your clients with informed decision making, to know the risks and benefits of various interventions, and know when a particular is needed or can be refused.
AWWS Handout Informed Decision Making.pdf
Doula Class Informed Decisions.mp4
What Informed Consent is Not social media graphic.png

Cesarean Section

You will learn statistics on C-section rates, how to support a client having one, and how to guide clients to reduce the risk of C-section and attain their goal of having a vaginal birth. 
Check out this link to find out what the rate of C-Section is in your state if you are in the USA.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/cesarean_births/cesareans.htm
Doula Class Cesareans.mp4
Best Cesarean Possible simkin.pdf
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Reduce C-Section Rate.pdf

Serving in Special Situations

Learn how to serve clients in situations such as NICU stays, premature labor, trauma and abuse victims, and infant loss. 
Doula Class Special Situations.mp4

Homebirth

Watch video that explains what homebirth is like. As you watch, make a list of the differences between hospital birth and homebirth and how you might serve differently in each situation.
Send in to awomanwhoserves@gmail.com
Doula Class Home Birth and Other Situations.mp4

Postpartum/Newborn

You will learn about what to expect in the initial postpartum and newborn stage and how you can support as a doula. 
Doula Class Newborns.mp4
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.pdf
Postpartum Depression
ppd-infographic.pdf

Breastfeeding

You will learn the basics of breastfeeding support to give your client their first tips and support as they begin to feed baby after birth.
Doula Class Breastfeeding.mp4

Virtual Support

What does it look like to support a client virtually instead of in person? Discover ways you can do this in your doula practice. 
Virtual Doula Support.mp4

Communication Skills

You will be learning how to use great communication skills as a professional with your client and how to be an amazing empathetic and skilled communicator and listener. 

Communication Skills.mp4
Communication Skills.pdf
Self-Reflection Assignment
Resource List Assignment
"It's Not About the Nail"
Cultural and Non-Verbal Communication Challenges & Assignment
Assignment-Review a Childbirth Class

Business and Marketing

Business 101. You will receive guidance on first steps to stay legally compliant, professional, and organized in your business and how to find your first clients! 
Doula Class Business.MP4
Setting up LLC or other business registry
Liability Insurance
DBA
Starting an LLC
Taxes
Doula Logo Tshirt
Contract/Intake Forms Example

Strength in God in Labor

A birth story about seeing God in labor and trusting Him for strength.
New Recording 49.m4a

Doula Role Play Situations & Communication-Live Class 1 (2 hours)

We will be discussing and acting out various role play situations in a live class to help you learn how to be an amazing doula in diverse situations!

Doula Class Role Play Situations.pdf

Doula Interviews and Meetings--Live Class 2 (2 hours)

In this live class, you will learn how to conduct an interview meeting with prospective clients and what a prenatal and postnatal visit with your client looks like. Questions about how to advertise, set up webpage and social media, and get clients to find you? We will cover that too. You may print the PDFs for reference. 
Doula Interviews and Meetings.pdf
Social Media and Marketing.pdf
Doula Attire and Bag.pdf
Doula Self-Care.pdf

Final Quiz

The following link will take you to a multiple choice quiz that will review what you have learned in this course. Please answer questions to the best of your ability. You will be able to see your immediate score. If you have missed too many, you will have the opportunity to retake.

Birth Doula Quiz