The Village Doula Certification

The lesson on Advocacy, Communication, and Professionalism in Doula Work emphasizes the importance of supporting and empowering clients through clear, respectful communication. It highlights the doula’s role as an advocate for the birthing person’s wishes and needs while maintaining professional boundaries. Effective communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and ethical behavior are crucial for building trust and fostering positive relationships with clients and healthcare providers.

Comfort Measures and Pain Management Techniques in doula work focus on supporting birthing individuals through physical and emotional strategies that ease labor discomfort. Key techniques include massage, position changes, breathing exercises, hydrotherapy, and use of heat or cold. Doulas also provide continuous emotional support, encouragement, and advocacy, helping clients navigate pain relief options while respecting their birth plan and preferences.

This lesson covers how doulas assist with physical recovery by offering comfort measures, monitoring emotional well-being, and helping manage common postpartum challenges such as pain, fatigue, and breastfeeding difficulties. The lesson emphasizes the importance of emotional support, education about newborn care, and facilitating connections to additional resources.

Doulas address systemic racism and bias in birthwork by advocating for equitable, culturally competent care. They recognize disparities affecting marginalized communities, listen to clients, educate themselves on inequalities, and create inclusive environments. Partnering with clients and providers, doulas amplify voices, promote informed choices, and support bodily autonomy, helping dismantle biases and improve maternal health outcomes.

The lesson on a doula’s role stresses cultural humility, empathy, and personalized care. Doulas must understand and respect clients' diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and needs. Key duties include communication, advocacy, and fostering an inclusive environment that honors client values. Ongoing education and self-reflection help address biases and ensure equitable, respectful care for all during childbirth.

This lesson covers key ethical principles for doulas, including client confidentiality, informed consent, respect for autonomy and culture, clear boundaries, and avoiding conflicts of interest. It highlights unbiased support, ongoing education, honest communication, and collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure client safety and trust throughout childbirth.

This module covers key knowledge and skills for doulas supporting cesarean births (C-sections) and vaginal birth after cesareans (VBACs). It includes medical reasons, types of cesareans, recovery, and tailored emotional and physical support. For VBACs, it covers eligibility, risks, benefits, and informed support respecting client autonomy and collaboration with providers. The focus is on evidence-based, compassionate care for positive birth experiences, regardless of delivery method.

This lesson on Doula Visit Structure outlines the key components and flow of effective client visits. It covers preparation, establishing rapport, assessing client needs, providing relevant information and emotional support, documenting the visit, and planning next steps. Emphasis is placed on clear communication, active listening, and building trust to foster a positive client-doula relationship throughout the pregnancy and birth journey.