Pre-Course Requirements
Where Do I Begin?
Everyone starts their doula journey in a different place, but most people know a lot more than they think they do. If you’ve always been interested in birth, you’ve probably listened to a few birth stories, read some articles, and even seen some videos. That’s great because that’s exactly what you’ll continue to do to prepare for the training! But now you’ll have more direction and focus.
What Am I Expected to Know Before Birth Doula General Training?
These concepts are covered in the twelve hour DTD Childbirth Course. Together we explore these topics through various learning activities, both in the four hour online prep course and in the eight hour interactive course with your trainer.
The DTD Childbirth Course is unique, with only half of the content overlapping with conventional classes. That’s why it is part of our training package for birth doulas, along with the Birth Doula Training. It also meets the childbirth class requirement for other major doula training organizations.
Assess Your Skills and Knowledge in the Following Areas:
- Anatomy of the reproductive and sexual pleasure system
- Common tests during pregnancy
- Physiology of pregnancy, birth, & postpartum
- Definitions of medical terms regarding labor
- Common procedures and tests used during normal birth, their risks and benefits
- Pain medications, administration and effects
- Sexuality and intimacy during childbirth
- Procedures for a cesarean birth
- Normal newborn appearance and procedures
- Birth from the infant’s perspective
- Relaxation techniques, comfort measures, and positions for labor
- Fourteen birth videos
If you have any questions at all, please contact us – we want you to feel confident and enthusiastic about your Doula journey from the very beginning.
DTD Childbirth Prep Course
With this self-paced, online preparation course for the DTD Childbirth Course, you can work at your own pace and receive credit for your work! During this prep course, you’ll cover key topics like:
- Prenatal tests
- Stages of labor
- Care providers
- Epidurals
- Cesarean births
- Complications of pregnancy
- A newborn’s appearance
- Rediscovering Indigenous cultural beliefs about newborns
When you complete the DTD Childbirth Prep Course, we are able to document all of your coursework, giving you credit for 12 hours, not just the 8.5 interactive portion of the workshop. It’s also more fun with videos, audio messages, learning games, and with a free birth video!
Birth Doula Training
Workshop Prep Course
With this self-paced, online preparation course for Birth Doula Training, you can work at your own pace and receive credit for your work! During this prep course, you will:
- Cover the suggested reading list
- Take the Doulaing the Doula Pretest
- Read and sign the Birth Doula Standards of Practice
- Learn more about the Doula certification process
- Increase your awareness of how racism permeates perinatal care
- Learn how microaggressions show up in the classroom
- Complete the DTD marketing exercise
When you complete the Birth Doula Training Prep Course, we are able to document all of your coursework, giving you credit for 4 additional hours. It’s also more fun with videos, audio messages, and learning activities.
Additional Preparation Resources
If you’re looking for additional resources, activities, and learning opportunities to help build your skillset before taking our Birth Doula Training workshop, explore suggestions from Dr. Amy Gilliland designed to help equip you for starting birth support after training!
Standards of Practice for Doulas
As both Birth Doulas and Postpartum Doulas, we hold a responsibility to the parents and communities we serve. Prior to taking any course with Doulaing The Doula, we ask that you read our Standards of Practice to better understand your role as a Doula within your clients’ larger support system and care network.
Codes of Ethics for Doulas
As Birth and Postpartum Doulas, you will face specific situations on a regular basis. Our codes of ethics are designed to empower you to make the best decisions you can in any situation while observing our shared core values as Doulas.
