Course curriculum

    1. OVERVIEW OF DOULA ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    2. HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF DOULA CARE

    3. BENEFIT OF DOULA SUPPORT FOR BIRTHING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

    4. SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

    5. Quiz

    1. IMPORTANCE OF PRECONCEPTION HEALTH AND PLANNING

    2. UNDERSTANDING FERTILITY AND CONCEPTION

    3. EARLY PREGNANCY CARE AND NUTRITION

    4. COMMON PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS AND SELF CARE STRATEGIES

    5. QUIZ

    1. LESSON 1: ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

    2. LESSON 2 : PHYSIOLOGY OF PREGNANCY AND LABOR

    3. LESSON 3 : HORMONAL CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

    4. LESSON 4 : FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND POSITIONING

    5. Quiz

    1. OVERVIEW OF PREGNANCY STAGES AND MILESTONES

    2. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LABOR

    3. STAGES OF LABOR AND THE BIRTHING PROCESS

    4. COMFORT MEASURES AND COPING TECHNIQUES FOR LABORING INDIVIDUALS

    5. Quiz

    1. COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS DURING PREGNANCY (GESTATIONAL DIABETES HYPERTENSION, PREECLAMPSIA, ECLAMPSIA, HELLP SYNDROME)

    2. UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS AND INDICATIONS

    3. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PREGNANCY AND BIRTH (E.G.,NIDDAH LAW FOR ORTHODOX JEWS , PURITY PRACTICES FOR MUSLIMS

    4. RESPECTFUL AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT DOULA CARE

    5. Quiz

    1. UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF A POSTPARTUM DOULA

    2. IMPORTANCE OF POSTPARTUM SUPPORT FOR NEW PARENTS

    3. DIFFERENTIATING POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES FROM OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS

About this course

  • $100.00
  • 40 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content
Your Instructor

Learn from an Experienced Practitioner

Hello and welcome to my site. My name is Lelia. I am a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula & Certified Lactation Counselor. I currently subcontract for the Community Health Center of Richmond through the New York City - Citywide Doula Initiative. I am a traditionally & clinically trained herbalist and have received my Masters in Herbal Studies from the (American College of Healthcare Sciences).
Certified Doula
Reiki Master
Lactation Consultant
Learn from an
"Every birth is sacred. Every family deserves support."

The Role of Doulas in Improving Birth Outcomes

The study highlights that continuous Research has shown that continuous support from a trained doula is associated with improved maternal and birth outcomes. A study indexed on reports significant reductions in the use of medical interventions (such as cesareans and epidurals), shorter labor duration, and higher maternal satisfaction when a doula is present during labor and delivery. These findings emphasize the important role doulas can play as non-clinical birth companions focused on emotional, physical, and informational support.


  • Reduced rates of cesarean birth

  • Lower use of pain medication

  • Shorter labors

  • Increased rates of spontaneous vaginal birth

  • Higher maternal satisfaction with the birth experience

non-clinical labor support from doulas provides measurable benefits, especially in settings where the birthing person may otherwise lack individualized attention. These results strengthen the evidence base for integrating doula care into standard perinatal support systems, particularly for underserved communities.

 

This research highlights the critical role doulas play.  Your presence isn’t just comforting – it is also clinically impactful.

 

Sobczak, A., Taylor, L., Solomon, S., Ho, J., Kemper, S., Phillips, B., Jacobson, K., Castellano, C., Ring, A., Castellano, B., & Jacobs, R. J. (2023). The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review. Cureus, 15(5), e39451. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39451

What You'll Learn

Eight comprehensive modules covering everything from anatomy and comfort techniques to ethics and building your practice.

    • PRECONCEPTION TO PREGNANCY

      Preconception to Pregnancy: The journey from preconception to pregnancy marks a transformative and significant phase in a person's life. During the preconception period, individuals may focus on optimizing their health and lifestyle choices to enhance their chances of conceiving. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress, and avoiding harmful substances. Once pregnancy occurs, a cascade of physiological changes begins, guided by the intricate interplay of hormones and biological processes. It's a time of anticipation, preparation, and profound emotional and physical changes as the body nurtures new life and embarks on the extraordinary adventure of parenthood.

    • PREGNANCY MILESTONES, LABOR & DELIVERY

      Pregnancy Milestones, Labor & Delivery: Pregnancy is marked by significant milestones, from the confirmation of pregnancy to feeling fetal movements. Labor begins with regular contractions, progressing through stages such as early, active, and transition. Comfort measures like breathing techniques aid during labor. Supportive care providers guide parents through the birthing process. The pushing stage culminates in the baby's birth, followed by delivery of the placenta. Understanding these stages helps parents prepare for childbirth with confidence and anticipation.

    • ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

      Anatomy refers to the structure and organization of the human body, encompassing organs, tissues, and systems. Physiology, on the other hand, focuses on the functions and mechanisms that allow the body to operate and maintain homeostasis. Together, anatomy and physiology provide a comprehensive understanding of how the body works, from the cellular level to complex systems such as the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Studying anatomy and physiology is essential for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat medical conditions effectively, as well as for individuals to maintain optimal health and well-being.

    • MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

      Medical conditions can manifest differently across cultures due to varying beliefs, practices, and access to healthcare. Cultural factors influence how individuals perceive symptoms, seek treatment, and adhere to medical advice. Understanding cultural differences is essential for healthcare providers to deliver culturally competent care, considering factors such as language, religious beliefs, dietary habits, and traditional healing practices. By recognizing and respecting cultural differences, healthcare providers can build trust, improve communication, and tailor treatment plans to meet the diverse needs of patients, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.

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