Doula Course

Lesson 1 • Professional Standards and Certification

Outlines certification pathways, continuing education requirements, and professional conduct codes. Students map their own credentialing goals.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of Doula Support

Traces doula practice from traditional birth attendants to modern certification. Grounds students in the cultural lineage that shapes contemporary standards.

Lesson 3 • Core Values and Ethics

Introduces non-judgment, client autonomy, and confidentiality as foundational ethics. Students apply these values to realistic client scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Maternal Physiological Changes

Examines cardiovascular, hormonal, and musculoskeletal adaptations during pregnancy. Students connect these changes to common discomforts they will address.

Lesson 2 • Reproductive Anatomy Overview

Covers uterine, cervical, and pelvic structures relevant to labor support. Provides the anatomical vocabulary doulas need for client education.

Lesson 3 • Fetal Development by Trimester

Describes key developmental milestones from conception through term. Enables doulas to answer common client questions accurately.

Lesson 1 • Childbirth Education Fundamentals

Introduces evidence-based childbirth education topics doulas commonly reinforce. Students distinguish education from clinical advice throughout.

Lesson 2 • Prenatal Visit Structure and Goals

Outlines the purpose and content of each prenatal meeting across the pregnancy. Students design visit agendas that evolve with client needs.

Lesson 3 • Birth Preferences and Planning

Guides clients through articulating preferences for labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum. Students facilitate informed decision-making without imposing personal views.

Lesson 4 • Supporting Partners and Support Persons

Teaches doulas to include and coach partners as active participants in birth support. Students practice techniques for integrating multiple support people.

Lesson 1 • Emotional and Verbal Support Strategies

Develops active listening, affirmations, and presence skills for emotionally intense moments. Students practice language that builds confidence without false promises.

Lesson 2 • Supporting Transition and Pushing

Addresses the intense transition phase and effective pushing support strategies. Students adapt techniques to spontaneous versus directed pushing contexts.

Lesson 3 • Recognizing Labor Onset and Progression

Teaches doulas to identify true versus prodromal labor and assess progression cues. Accurate recognition guides when and how to mobilize support.

Lesson 4 • Physical Comfort Measures

Covers positioning, movement, hydrotherapy, heat, cold, and counter-pressure techniques. Students practice each measure and learn when to apply them.

Lesson 1 • Pain Relief Options and Doula Role

Covers epidural analgesia, nitrous oxide, opioids, and non-pharmacological options. Doulas learn to support client choices without bias or pressure.

Lesson 2 • Common Labor Interventions Overview

Surveys induction, augmentation, continuous fetal monitoring, and IV access. Students understand clinical rationale so they can explain procedures to clients.

Lesson 3 • The BRAIN Decision-Making Framework

Teaches Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and Nothing as a structured tool. Students practice applying BRAIN to realistic intervention scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Supporting Cesarean Birth

Prepares doulas for planned and unplanned cesarean births in the operating room. Students adapt comfort and advocacy roles to a surgical environment.

Lesson 1 • Family Adjustment and Relationship Support

Addresses sibling integration, partner relationship shifts, and social support mapping. Students help families build sustainable support networks.

Lesson 2 • Maternal Physical Recovery

Covers uterine involution, perineal healing, cesarean recovery, and nutrition needs. Students identify normal recovery milestones and signs requiring medical referral.

Lesson 3 • Infant Care Fundamentals

Introduces newborn feeding cues, safe sleep, bathing, and soothing techniques. Doulas support parents in building confidence with basic infant care tasks.

Lesson 4 • Emotional Wellness in the Postpartum Period

Distinguishes baby blues, postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis by symptom profile. Students apply screening awareness and referral protocols.

Lesson 1 • Culturally Responsive Care

Introduces cultural humility, traditional postpartum practices, and language access strategies. Students develop skills to honor diverse beliefs without stereotyping.

Lesson 2 • Clients Experiencing Trauma

Applies trauma-informed principles to clients with histories of abuse, prior birth trauma, or medical trauma. Students modify language and touch practices accordingly.

Lesson 3 • Supporting LGBTQ+ Families

Covers inclusive language, diverse family structures, and specific needs of LGBTQ+ clients. Students audit their own assumptions and practice affirming communication.

Lesson 4 • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support

Addresses miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal loss with trauma-informed care principles. Students practice compassionate presence and memory-making facilitation.

Lesson 1 • Marketing and Client Attraction

Covers referral networks, social media presence, website essentials, and community outreach. Students build a 90-day marketing action plan.

Lesson 2 • Professional Sustainability and Self-Care

Addresses burnout prevention, on-call fatigue, peer support, and career longevity strategies. Students create a personal sustainability plan.

Lesson 3 • Pricing, Packages, and Financial Planning

Guides doulas in setting sustainable rates, creating service packages, and managing income. Students calculate a break-even rate based on their local market.

Lesson 4 • Client Management Systems

Introduces inquiry tracking, scheduling, documentation, and client communication workflows. Students implement a simple client management system.