Certified Doula

What Is a Doula?

This is our most popular course and a great starting point for a future career in Perinatal Health. Upon completion of certification requirements you will have lifetime Certification with Childbirth Concierge and the option to also certify with Our Partner Commonsense Childbirth Institute when additional requirements are met. Please see below under Certification Pathways.

A doula is a healthcare professional who provides non-medical support and care through education, guidance and counseling for pregnant and parenting women and families. She promotes a healthy pregnancy and encourages active participation throughout the childbearing year. These non-clinician perinatal providers are trained to work professionally in a variety of settings including private practices, birth centers, clinics, hospitals community settings and homes.

Doulas pay attention to the emotional and physical needs of mothers, while encouraging self-determination and self-advocacy to reach the desired outcomes. In any setting that doulas work they are able to enhance the experience by giving continuous and committed support to the expressed needs or choices of the mother. A doula offers prenatal and postpartum home visits and once labor has begun, is available continuously at the delivery site assisting the parents during the birth of their child. Doulas educate and support women throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum and are able to teach across the life-course as they interact with the whole family during the course of each maternity episode. An accomplished doula advocates, educates and supports a woman, her partner and her family through one of the most precious times in their lives.

Typically doulas create and manage their own private practice or work in partnerships or collectives. Entrepreneurial skills and self-employment aspects of this career path are explored during the training, and peer group and mentoring support is offered after training.

“……[use of doulas] significantly reduced cesarean section rates, forceps deliveries, need for oxytocin, and use of epidural anesthesia. In addition, the presence of a [doula] shortened labor and decreased the incidence of maternal fever.”

Kennell, et al.,”Continuous Emotional Support During Labor in a US Hospital.” Journal of American Medical Association, May 1991 – Vol 265, No 17

Course Objectives

During the training and internship program, the following topics will be addressed:

• Understand anatomy and physiology
• Understand process of labor, delivery and the postpartum period
• Identify obstetrical procedures
• Demonstrate comfort measures and labor support
• Understand newborn care and procedures
• Understand a basic knowledge breastfeeding
• Develop skills for working with your client & medical staff
• Practice communication and listening skills
• Identify specialized and one-on-one care
• Understand benefits of social support systems
• Identify impact of racial and class disparities on pregnancy and birth outcomes
• Understand HIPAA compliance

• Understand The JJ Way Method.
• Train students to impart evidence-based information to families and prepare them for pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period.
• Prepare students to work professionally in a variety of settings, including home births, hospitals, birth centers, along with medical staff.
• Understanding scope of practice and code of ethics required by The Commonsense Childbirth Institute.

Certification Pathways

Tuition is paid via Paypal For Pathway A, please email for pre-approval for Pathways B, C & D
Pathway A – Traditional $ 485 – entry level no previous training or experience.  *Note starting April 1, 2022 for CCI Certification you will have the option to enroll in their 6 Month Mentorship Program (additional $400/$67 monthly payments). Total cost for dual certification is $985.

Pathway B – Fellowship $210– previous training, desires CCI Certification ( Must show certificate of attendance from training) Pre-approval is required, attend 16 hrs course and take exam and complete the full internship required in Pathway A. There is an additional $45 Platform access fee.
Pathway C – Experience with no formal training/certification $210-  must have 5 yrs experience – 50 births, 4 letters of recommendation from health professionals and 2 letters of recommendation from clients. This pathway is online/on demand and does not require an instructor led class, but must pass exam. There is an additional $45 Platform access fee.
Pathway D -. Experienced w/ Previous Certification,$150- desires CCI Certification,  3-5 yr experience & 10 birth minimum, 2 letters of recommendation from health professionals and 1 letter of recommendations from clients. (Must show current or expired certification) This pathway is online/on demand and does not require an instructor led class, but must pass exam. T here is an additional $45 Platform access fee.
Both Pathways C & D are fast tracks

Certification Requirements

Pathway A
Certification shall be granted to those who choose to complete the requirements below, following the 16 hour training program:
-Complete the required reading list
-Non- pregnant participation in a childbirth education class and breastfeeding education class
-150 hours of internship, that includes a minimum of 10 births
-2 letters of recommendation from birth professionals
-Successful completion of written exam
Pathway B
Same requirements for Pathway A,  with a discount of training fee and any requirements you have met with your initial training may apply to CCI requirements
Pathway C
Successful completion of written exam
Documentation of 5 years of experience
Documentation of 50 births
4 letters of recommendation from birth professionals
2 letters of recommendation from clients
Pathway D
Successful completion of written exam
Documentation of previous certification
Documentation of 3-5 years of experience
Documentation of 10 births
2 letters of recommendation from birth professionals
1 letters of recommendation from a client
Learning Materials & Resources

Learning Materials & Resources

• Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, The Doula Book, 3rd edition, 2012
• Perez & Snedecker, Special Women: The Role of the Professional Labor Assistant
• Simkin, Whalley & Keppler, Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: the Complete Guide, 5th Edition, 2016
• La Leche League International, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 7th edition

Prerequisites

High school diploma, GED or certificate from an institute of higher education