Postpartum Doula Program
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Postpartum Doula Certification
Prerequisites: None
Birthingway offers a Postpartum Doula Certification. Students must:
- Attend and successfully complete the postpartum doula workshop “Supporting Transition After Birth”
- Apply to the Postpartum Doula Certification program for a fee (Students enrolled in the midwifery program will not pay this fee)
- Provide documentation for 15 hours of postpartum care for 3 families
- Request a certificate (good for four years) for a fee
Postpartum Doula Certification Program Fees
Workshop Fee $395.00
Application for Practicum Fee $ 90.00
Certification Fee $ 50.00
Postpartum Doula Program Requirements
Postpartum Doula Workshop
The workshop, which can be taken as a stand alone class or as the first step toward certification, takes place over one long weekend. Students are expected to complete readings before the class meets. During the workshop, students will learn about a variety of topics pertinent to the postpartum period, including:
- Scope of practice for postpartum doulas
- Hormones of the postpartum period and their effects
- Infant care
- Perinatal mood disorders
- Tools for supporting breastfeeding
- Various ways that birth effects the postpartum period
Practicum
If students choose to certify, they will be mentored by an experienced postpartum doula for up to half of the 15 hours of required postpartum doula care required for certification.
Postpartum Doula Program for College Credit
Students may choose to take the Postpartum Doula Program for one college credit. Students choosing this route will pay the current Birthingway credit price for one credit and will be required to complete additional work. If the student is enrolled in the midwifery program, the course may count as one of their required elective courses.
Students who are not taking the program for credit may take the workshop alone or choose to move forward toward certification, completing additional homework and a mentored practicum experience over the course of an additional 10 months. Students who are taking the workshop for credit MUST complete additional homework (see syllabus for the specific homework details), but may choose whether or not to certify by completing a mentored practicum experience. The additional homework must be completed before the end of the term in which they take the workshop. If they choose to certify, they will have an additional four months in which to complete their practicum.