Become a certified doula

If you have always dreamt of helping mothers through childbirth, or if you would enjoy helping families in the weeks and months after birth, this course is for you. As a doula you support families during these special moments.

In our birth and postpartum doula certification courses you will learn everything you need to provide excellent care to families during childbirth. This in-depth course covers a wide range of aspects and goes above and beyond your regular doula training course.

Our postpartum doula and birth doula certifications are unique in providing extensive medical background, midwifery knowledge, as well as practical training to enable you to become an expert in the field and support your clients with the very best evidence based care.

Birth doula certification - course contents:

Course section 1

Part I: Physiology and pathology of pregnancy

A comprehensive overview on the anatomy and physiology of normal pregnancy, as well as aspects of pathology that are important for your work as a birth doula.

Part II: Psychology, pain and childbirth

You will learn how and why psychological mechanisms play an important role in how women view and experience childbirth and what can be done to take a positive influence.

Part III: Physiology of the birth process

As a birth doula, it is important to know how the body induces labor, which hormones promote and hinder childbirth and what you as a doula can do to influence this process positively. You will also learn to "read" women in labor and what reactions to expect during the different stages of childbirth.

Couse section 2

Part IV: Supporting women and their families during the birth process

• assessing the needs and expectations of the mother and her family
• conceptualizing a birth plan
  
• supporting parents making informed decisions
• understanding the needs of the partner
• helping the mother to deal with labour
• relaxation techniques
• massage techniques
  
• positions
  

Part V: In-depth reflexion on your own birth experiences and expectations

Before helping others, it is important to be aware of the influence of your own experiences with pregnancy and childbirth on how you view childbirth.

Part VI: Unexpected occurences and emergencies during birth

We teach you how to deal with parents who experience problems during childbirth as well as techniques for assisting the midwife, should it ever be necessary.

Course section 3

Part VII: After birth - the first hours

You will learn how to support parents in bonding with their baby, how to guide them as necessary without being overbearing, how to deal with unexpected reactions and different situations, as well as how to promote breasfeeding as necessary.

Course section 4

Part VIII: Working as a birh doula, finances and business  aspects

• your role as a doula and its boundaries
  
• how to find clients
• handling complaints gracefully
• financial and legal aspects
  
• leading your own business

Postpartum doula certification

course content overview:

I: technical aspects of maternity care

2: Maternity care I -promoting maternal health

3: Maternity care II - recognizing health problems early and how to act effectively

4: Infant nutrittion I - promoting healthy infant nutrition

5: infant nutrition II - breastfeeding for experts

6: Infant nutrition III - feeding problems and feeding in case of special needs

7: Infant behaviour and development I - development and "baby psychology"

8: Infant behaviour and development II - rest, unrest and sleep

9:  Infant health I - promoting infant health

10: Infant health II - how to recognize and act in case of health issues

11: Supporting families I - houshold and hygienic aspects

12: Supporting families II - caring for siblings

13: Psychosocial aspects of the postpartum period for mothers and families

14: Communication for postpartum doulas

15: Working as a doula: practical, legal and financial aspects

Tuition fees

For more information  and individual options, please contact us directly

WIN-med

Doula Certification & Training

Tel: +1 616-965-8996

e-mail: info@win-institute.com

Office hours: