At the International Doula Institute, we define certified doulas as a support person trained in the needs of the family during pregnancy and childbirth. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures. Doula originates from the Greek word meaning woman servant. A birth doula recognizes the profound impact of childbirth on the mother.
Certified doulas do not provide medical care, clinical tasks such a cervical checks or fetal heart tones and does not speak on behalf of the client.
The Certified Birth Doula is trained in 5 Core Competencies:
- Physiology of Childbirth
- Common Interventions and Evidence Based Care
- Comfort Measures for Childbirth
- Breastfeeding
- Communicating with Medical Care Providers and Clients Utilizing Emotional Intelligence
At the International Doula Institute, we define a postpartum doula as a support person trained in the needs of the family in the days, weeks and months after birth or addition of a new baby. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support immediately after birth through the first year. Doula originates from the Greek word meaning woman servant.
The Certified Postpartum Doula is trained in 5 Core Competencies:
- Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Postpartum Mom and Partner
- Caring for and Understanding the Needs of Baby/Babies
- Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Siblings
- Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Home
- Caring for the Whole Family Utilizing Emotional Intelligence
What a postpartum doula is not:
- An IDI postpartum doula is not a medical professional.
- An IDI postpartum doula is not an herbalist and will not prescribe or suggest herbs or remedies.
- An IDI postpartum doula is not a lactation consultant and will not make decisions about how the baby will be fed.
- An IDI postpartum doula is not a psychologist or mental health professional.
- An IDI postpartum doula does not make any decisions for the family.
- An IDI postpartum doula does not perform clinical tasks such as checking the baby’s respiratory rate, check a mom’s c-section incision, suggesting medications (over the counter, prescription or herbal) or any other medical advice. If the doula also holds degrees in medicine, therapy, RN or the like, they will stay within the scope of practice of a doula during her time in families’ homes contracted as a CPD.
Tasks of the IDI postpartum doula:
- Assessing the Needs of the Family
- Providing Recommendations and Referrals
- Emotional Support of the individuals parenting choices
- Encouragement and positive affirmations
- Newborn care hands-on education and care including:
- Normal newborn behavior
- Newborn appearance
- Sleep habits
- Feeding
- Bathing
- Dressing Baby
- When to call the doctor
- And so much more
- Breastfeeding counseling
- Advanced breastfeeding education
- Help knowing what is normal or when you need specialized care
- Help with comfortable positions for mom and baby
- Establishing helpful routines
- Establishing a good latch
- Establishing a good milk supply
- Learning to use your pump
- Proper milk storage
- Preparation of bottles and washing/cleaning/sterilizing
- Cord and circumcision care
- Establishing routine
- Organizing the nursery
- Light housework
- Sibling education and transition
- Care of big siblings
- Creating shopping lists
- Food shopping