Birth Doula- Course Syllabus

During your training you will cover three main topic areas - Communication Skills, Physiology and Birth Doula Skills. If you would like to read the full syllabus, you can download the information pack.

Communication Skills

Enhance your communication skills, enabling you to build strong relationships with clients and caregivers alike. Topics covered include:

• effective communication

• language and communication

• active listening skills

• reflective practice and debriefing

• diversity of clients

• evidence-based care

• grief and loss

Many of you will work as doulas in challenging environments. Perhaps the amount of medical intervention you see will lead you to feel uncomfortable, or those you are working with do not understand a doulas role. During the course you will explore these challenges and develop skills in building relationships with caregivers without compromising your professionalism or client's wishes.

One of the unique strengths of the Childbirth International Doula training program is the focus on reflective practice. In the context of your doula training, reflection means looking at choices you have made in the past and what you have learned from those, how they apply to your work as a doula. The student manuals walk you through reflective practice and you will learn how to apply the Childbirth International model of reflective practice. Your trainer will provide you with feedback and support on improving these reflective skills.
Read students comments about the communication topics

 

Physiology of Pregnancy, Birth & the Early Postpartum Period

Gain a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, birth and the early postpartum period. Topics covered include:

• physiology in pregnancy

• physiology in labor and birth

• physiology after the birth

• healthy eating and exercise

• pain in labor

• management of labor

• routine procedures during labor

• cesarean and VBAC

• introduction to lactation

• prenatal testing and screening

All student materials are focused on evidence-based care. Evidence-based means medical practice that is based on research. The opinions and thoughts of experts on pregnancy and birth are referred to throughout your student manuals - it is important to hear the views of others in the field to build your own knowledge base.
Read students comments about the physiology topics

 

Birth Doula Skills

Develop your hands-on skills as a Birth Doula, enabling you to provide the best care possible, and identify strategies for establishing and developing your business. Topics covered include:

• becoming a birth and parenting professional

• marketing and building your business

• developing your birth doula skills

• recognizing perspectives on birth

• using doula skills to help malpositioning