The content for New Beginnings Doula Training’s postpartum doula certification program contains four (4) courses of study, along with a client care packet for two (2) clients that they support in the process of their training.
Main Course
The postpartum doula Main Course, presents the heart of New Beginnings’ approach to doula care. It breaks down into three (3) main units, and addresses the following topics in detail:
- Introduction to doulas and postpartum support
- Communicating with the medical world
- Community needs and resources
- Research
- Introduction to the nursing process, needs assessment, and initial client interview
- Needs identification for doulas and introduction into Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Maternal Postpartum Physiology
This course approaches maternal recovery holistically, to empower doulas to facilitate whole family healing and transitions with evidence-based support. This section informs on the following areas of support:
- Integrating the birth experience
- Emotional and psychological changes and needs
- Physiological changes and recovery
- Recovering from loss
- Exercise and nutritional needs
- Interviewing and providing supportive care
Newborn Physiology & Care
This course educates our doulas on normal newborn physiology and all aspects of newborn care, including the following areas of support:
- Newborn transition, physiology, and development
- Diapering, bathing, circumcision care, massage, and more
- Medical needs and concerns
- Sleep
- Soothing a fussy baby
- Lactation and infant feeding
Skills & Services
This course covers a wide range of postpartum doula skills to prepare them with the ability to meet client’s needs and support them through the challenging transition after birth. It also explains more about the various services postpartum doulas may provide for their clients. It includes topics such as:
- Nutrition & meal planning
- Communication & conflict resolution
- NICU information & support
- Recovery environment, massage, acupressure, hydration, hydrotherapy, and more
Client Care Packets
Each student is required to submit two client care packets. This packet contains information that the student records about the clients that they have supported as a part of their training. (Think of this as the final exam before receiving your certification.)
Click here for a more detailed course outline.
