Certified Doula Training course

The origins of doulas can be traced to the beginning of mankind. In nearly every culture throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by other women during childbirth; sisters, aunts, mothers, and servants who helped women through labour and delivery.

Continuous support in pregnancy is recognised to

• Positively affect pain experience
• Positively affect duration of labour
• Positively affect birth outcome and baby’s condition (Apgar Score)
• Positively affect breastfeeding
• Positively affect mothers Physical and psychological adjustment to parenting
• Klaus et al (2002)

At a time when there are National issues relating to the recruitment and retention of midwives and an approximate shortfall of 4000 qualified midwives, Continuity of care, especially during labour, is often difficult to achieve. Mothers are therefore seeking the support of their own “Birth Doula”, a lay woman who can help to provide continuity within the formal organization of professional care. A Doula is not a health professional but a caring woman who can help in a variety of practical ways before, during and after birth. Many cultural groups in society currently use Doula’s  as do mothers with little or no immediate family support.  The benefits of having a Doula is becoming more  recognized and this course of study, the first of its kind offered by a University in the North of England,  will equip the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake the role sensitively, safely and confidently. The course will be organized into theoretical and practical components.

Objectives

Learning Outcomes

• To have acquire a basic understanding of childbearing physiology.
• To identify the role of the professional midwife
• To practice and discuss hand hygiene
• To demonstrate the importance of effective communication
• To identify ways of providing support to mothers and their partners in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods.
• To identify the factors associated with normal postnatal recovery and natural baby “bonding”
• To identify and practice ways of supporting mothers to breastfeed their babies.
• To discuss safeguarding issues.
• To discuss health, safety and legal issues
• To effectively demonstrate maternal and neonatal resuscitation technique.

Summary

Agenda Includes

• A&P of the Reproductive tract
• Normal Pregnancy
• The History of the Doula
• The Professional role of the Midwife and her accountability
• The psychological adjustment to pregnancy, birth and parenting.
• Dads role
• Effective communication
• Hand washing and hygiene
• Health and safety issues
• Strategies for supporting mothers before, during and after birth.
• Breastfeeding support
• The normal newborn
• Adult and neonatal CPR
• Developing your role as a Doula for the future

31/05/2013 09:00 - 03/06/2013 17:00