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Birth and Postpartum Doula Certification

Categories: Doula Education
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About Course

Developed by highly trained and experienced doulas, this comprehensive program provides extensive training to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to support families through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Approved by Medicaid as a recognized doula certification, the program meets all necessary regulatory requirements while also offering additional, non-mandated components to enhance professional expertise. The curriculum combines practical techniques, evidence-based practices, and compassionate care to prepare doulas for a rewarding career in empowering and nurturing new parents.

What Will You Learn?

  • Our Birth and Postpartum Doula Certification provides a comprehensive foundation for supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. In this course, you will gain both practical skills and essential knowledge to serve families with professionalism, compassion, and confidence.
  • You’ll learn about:
  • The Role of a Doula: Understanding the scope of practice, professional boundaries, and how to remain within the doula’s role while offering meaningful support.
  • Tools of the Trade: What doulas typically carry in a birth bag and how these items are used to support clients.
  • Childbirth Education: Access to a complete childbirth education course to build your confidence in birth physiology and family preparation.
  • Advocacy in Action: How to support clients in communicating their preferences and navigating systems of care.
  • Cultural Competency: Providing culturally responsive, respectful, and congruent care to diverse families.
  • Social Determinants of Health: Exploring how factors such as environment, access, and equity impact birth and postpartum experiences—and how doulas can offer informed support.
  • Comfort Measures for Labor: Practical hands-on techniques to help families manage the intensity of labor.
  • Specialized Situations: Support strategies for cesarean births and basics for assisting families with NICU stays.
  • Prenatal Visits: How to conduct an effective prenatal (doula natal) visit to build trust, set expectations, and prepare families for birth.
  • Doula Business Basics: Guidance on building a sustainable doula practice, from contracts to client care.
  • Self-Care for Doulas: Recognizing burnout, preventing compassion fatigue, and addressing secondary trauma.
  • Postpartum Doula Care: Understanding the role of a postpartum doula and the unique needs of families during the fourth trimester.
  • Perinatal Mental Health: Identifying perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and supporting families in accessing appropriate care.
  • Infant Feeding: Foundational breastfeeding education and strategies for supporting families in their feeding goals.
  • By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond—while building a practice that is both professional and sustainable.

Course Content

About Birth it Forward & Certification

Monthly Doula Call
Hop on a call with us

All About Doulas
In this section we will discuss the different types of doulas, their roles, and how to learn more.

*Birth Doulas
In this section, you will learn the aspects of being a birth doula. We will discuss how to do natal visits, go through advocacy, comfort measures and much more. In all the sections, there is additional material that is not necessarily required but will be most beneficial for you to review. The required videos and reading materials have an asterisk in their title.

Live Book Club
Join us for Book Club every month where we discuss impactful literature in the birth genre.

Childbirth Education (CBE)
You will need to complete a course in Childbirth Education.

Standing Strong Advocacy Workshop
Welcome to Standing Strong, an Advocacy Workshop. In this session, Kristen Mason, a certified Maternal Support Practitioner and Childbirth Educator, delves into the critical issue of Practitioner Violence and the importance of personal and client advocacy. Key Takeaways: - Recognize Practitioner Violence and abuse. - Learn preventive strategies and advocacy techniques. - Understand Birth it Forward doula response policies. - Empower birth teams to support client rights. Kristen shares her personal journey as a survivor of Practitioner Violence and offers practical tools to advocate for respectful maternity care. Together, let’s create safe, mother-led birth spaces.

*An Overview of Cultural Competency
This section explores the importance of diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency in fostering understanding and connection across different backgrounds. It explains the distinction between equality and equity, the value of empathy by "putting yourself in someone else’s shoes," and provides essential vocabulary for navigating discussions about diversity. Key areas covered include socioeconomic, cultural, language, religious, and sexual orientation diversity, offering insights to create more inclusive and respectful communities.

Social Determinates of Health
What are they and how do they affect your clients

Comfort Measures for Labor and Birth
In this section, students will explore a variety of supportive techniques to enhance comfort and promote relaxation during labor. Topics include the use of birth balls to encourage optimal fetal positioning, effective labor positions to reduce pain and aid progression, and the importance of hydration and light snacks to sustain energy. Additionally, students will learn about the benefits of mindfulness practices, such as meditation and focused breathing, to create a calm and empowering birth experience. This section equips students with practical tools to support their clients holistically throughout the labor process.

Cesarean Basics for Doulas
Learn the essentials of cesarean births with guest speaker Janice Ingram in this video tailored for doulas. Discover the history of the surgery, what happens during the procedure, and how to support clients with basic post-surgery care and recovery tips.

NICU Basics with a NICU Nurse: Jasmine Barr, RN
In this video, we explore the basics of the NICU with guest speaker Jasmine Braun, a NICU RN, including the equipment families may encounter, the milestones babies must reach to graduate, and how doulas can help prepare families for a NICU stay. Whether you’re a doula or a parent, this video provides essential insights for navigating the NICU experience.

Postpartum Basics After Birth
Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey, but the postpartum period comes with its own challenges and needs.

Doula Natals Checklists
We are going to learn what do during prenatal and perinatal doula visits.

Basics of Doula Business
Learn how to start and grow a successful doula business! In this video, we cover essential tips, strategies, and insights for providing compassionate care while building a thriving career. Perfect for aspiring and experienced doulas alike!

Beating Burnout – Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue with Moriah Barr, LMFTA
In this video, we explore with guest speaker Moriah Barr on how to beat burnout and maintain mental health while working in a demanding, high-stress job. We discuss effective self-care strategies, ways to overcome compassion fatigue, and practical tips to protect your mental well-being so you can continue to do what you love without feeling overwhelmed.

Get Your NPI Number
You need an NPI number to be able to work with Medicaid.

HIPPA Training
You need to have your HIPPA training to complete this certification.

CPR and First Aide Certification
You need to have your CPR and First Aide Cert to complete this certification.

Food Handler Training
You need to have a Food Handler Cert to complete this certification.

Reading Assignments
You need to read 3 books and do reviews on them.

Birth Attendance
You will need to attend 3 births to complete your certification.

Resource List

Postpartum Doulas
In this section you will learn the basics of being a postpartum doula, including newborn care, how to care for the mother and watching for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

*Mother, Newborn Care and PMAD’s for Doulas
Discover essential insights on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) tailored for doulas. Learn to recognize symptoms, provide compassionate support, and connect clients to resources for maternal mental health. Learn how best to care for a newborn as well.

*Breastfeeding for Doulas
Learn essential breastfeeding tips for doulas to support families, including preparation during pregnancy, benefits for baby and mom, proper latch techniques, managing challenges, and more. Perfect for doulas and new parents alike!

Final Knowledge Check

Additional Helpful Education not Required for Certification
In this section you'll find classes on additional information we've found helpful over the years but do not specifically affect certification. They are not required to complete your certification.

Additional Training Resources

KC Doula Date Night
Join us to meet some amazing clients!

Student Ratings & Reviews

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MO
Megan Olvera
8 months ago
So many great topics - I felt this was a well rounded course and it better prepared me for situations I have not yet encountered. :)
Brittney
Brittney
11 months ago
This course was so in-depth for both birth and postpartum support as a doula. The passion of the women who teach this course is palpable through each video and reading. This course is a great option for both seasoned doulas and new doulas coming into the field.

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