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About the Doula School

The Doula School provides CAPPA Labor Doula Trainings and advanced educational opportunities for doulas, nurses, and professionals in the field.

Steps to Certification

CAPPA Course Requirements

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  • Be at least 18 years of age.

  • Attend a CAPPA Labor Doula training class.

  • Read selected books from the CAPPA Labor Doula Required Reading List.

  • Read the CAPPA Labor Doula Training Manual (received at training).

  • Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.

  • Become a Member of CAPPA.

  • Enroll in the Labor Doula Traditional Course in CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.

    • Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.

    • Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Birth Booklet.

    • Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.

    • Attend a minimum of 3 labors/births as a doula. You will be required to obtain 3 total evaluations from parents and 6 total evaluations from healthcare providers. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.

    • Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.

    • Sign and agree to the following:

      • Code of Conduct

      • Social Media Policy

      • Grievance Policy

      • CAPPA Mission

      • CAPPA Approach

      • CAPPA Vision

      • Scope of Practice

    • Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher.  If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

    • Pass the essay exam. The essay exam is graded on a pass-fail basis.  If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

Scope of Practice

CAPPA Doula's Scope of Practice

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  • Provide non-biased emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor and the birth process, and the immediate postpartum period

  • Work closely with the birthing person and family as they explore their values and needs surrounding birth

  • Encourage the birthing person to seek care and a place of birth that reflects their own values and needs

  • Assist in the preparation of birth preferences to facilitate communication with the birth team

  • Model, teach, and encourage effective communication

  • Encourage informed decision making

  • Provide information on birth options and resources

  • Provide the client with non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation

  • Seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere with the birth team

  • Provide support to the birthing person’s support partner and/or family

  • Support and assist initial breastfeeding

  • Assist the family in processing their birth experience

  • Answer general questions about newborn care and breastfeeding

  • Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis

  • Listen as the birthing person processes their birth experience

  • Are required to present the following services as separate from the role of a CAPPA certified professional: Doulas who are trained, certified, licensed, or a recipient of a degree in alternative/complimentary therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta medicine, herbal treatments, etc.

 

CAPPA Labor Doula do not:

  • Diagnose medical conditions

  • Perform clinical procedures

  • Interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results

  • Prescribe or administer treatment of medical conditions

  • Make decisions for the birthing client or family

  • Speak for the birthing family

  • Attend births that are intentionally unassisted by qualified medical professionals

  • Transport any family members

  • Prescribe, perform, or provide alternative/complimentary therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta medicine, herbal treatments, etc. as part of the role of a CAPPA certified professional

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About CAPPA

Learn more about CAPPA here

The Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Organization

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