Postpartum Doula FAQ

1. What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is a person who assists a mother during the transition after birth, serving as a "mother’s helper". A postpartum doula is educated in helping the family’s needs as they change on a day to day basis.

2. What does a postpartum doula do?

Postpartum doulas are there to nurture the mother, to provide experience and education on maternal/infant care. Doulas are there to help navigate the families’ needs and to help guide new parents on how to make informed choices about newborn care and family well-being. Above all, Birthingway postpartum doulas serve non-judgmentally.

3. What is the difference between a postpartum doula and a baby nurse?

A postpartum doula is not trained to provide health care for the mother or baby. A postpartum doula does not take vitals, assessments or give any opinions or information regarding medications for mother or baby. Postpartum doulas are simply there to help the mother find her own parenting ability in a positive, nurturing environment.

4. What is a Birthingway Student Postpartum Doula?

A student postpartum doula has completed the classroom portion of the training, and now must complete the 15 hours of required postpartum doula work. Students must also fill out Birthingway’s self-evaluation forms and client feedback forms.

5. What is a Birthingway Certified Postpartum Doula?

A certified postpartum doula has completed the classroom portion of the training, along with all of the work hours. All evaluation forms and client feedback forms have been submitted to the college, along with the appropriate fees and the student has been granted certification by the Auxiliary Program Practicum Coordinator.

6. What questions should I ask a postpartum doula?

1. What type of training and/or education do you have?
2. Is your CPR certification current? TB negative?
3. What experience do you have as a postpartum doula?
4. Do you have specific philosophies around parenting?
5. What services do you offer? Are there any limitations to your services?
6. When do your services begin?
7. What is your experience with breastfeeding?
8. What are your fees? Do you have a back-up? What is your refund policy?

7. What kind of classroom training have Birthingway postpartum doulas received?

Birthingway’s postpartum doula training is a thorough course with 24 hours of class time plus out of class reading/study time. Through hands-on exercises, lecture, and class discussions/scenarios, our student doulas cover a broad variety of material designed to prepare them to support the mother and her partner after the birth of their child. Some of the topics covered are: Birthingway Philosophy and the Biodynamic model of the postpartum period.

In addition, students will learn the scope of practice for a postpartum doula, the hormones of the postpartum period and their effects, and the dynamic of maternal/infant health (i.e. baby care, birth recovery, nutrition, etc.). The workshop also covers breastfeeding and trouble-shooting, baby carriers, and addressing different cultural and parental styles within a community.

8. Is there anything a postpartum doula doesn’t do?

Yes, Birthingway Postpartum doulas do not diagnose medical conditions. In addition, they do not do heavy cleaning or transporting members of families in a vehicle. A postpartum doula can clarify the Postpartum Scope of Practice within the interview process.