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.
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Attend a CAPPA Labor Doula training class.
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Read selected books from the CAPPA Labor Doula Required Reading List.
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Read the CAPPA Labor Doula Training Manual (received at training).
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Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.
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Become a Member of CAPPA.
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Enroll in the Labor Doula Traditional Course in CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.
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Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.
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Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Birth Booklet.
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Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.
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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.
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Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.
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Sign and agree to the following:
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Code of Conduct
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Social Media Policy
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Grievance Policy
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CAPPA Mission
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CAPPA Approach
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CAPPA Vision
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Scope of Practice
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Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.
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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.
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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
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Work closely with the birthing person and family as they explore their values and needs surrounding birth
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Encourage the birthing person to seek care and a place of birth that reflects their own values and needs
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Assist in the preparation of birth preferences to facilitate communication with the birth team
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Model, teach, and encourage effective communication
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Encourage informed decision making
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Provide information on birth options and resources
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Provide the client with non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation
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Seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere with the birth team
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Provide support to the birthing person’s support partner and/or family
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Support and assist initial breastfeeding
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Assist the family in processing their birth experience
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Answer general questions about newborn care and breastfeeding
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Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis
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Listen as the birthing person processes their birth experience
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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:
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Diagnose medical conditions
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Perform clinical procedures
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Interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results
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Prescribe or administer treatment of medical conditions
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Make decisions for the birthing client or family
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Speak for the birthing family
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Attend births that are intentionally unassisted by qualified medical professionals
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Transport any family members
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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