DOULA SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF BC
  • Home
  • About
    • About the DSA
    • Code of Ethics
    • Standards of Practice
  • For Families
    • Find a Doula
    • For Indigenous Families
    • Doula FAQ
  • For Doulas
    • Membership >
      • New Membership Application
      • Scholarship Application
      • Membership Renewal
    • Becoming a Doula
    • Professional Events
    • Covid-19 Announcement
  • The Doula Fund
    • The Referral Program
    • Support The Fund
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • About the DSA
    • Code of Ethics
    • Standards of Practice
  • For Families
    • Find a Doula
    • For Indigenous Families
    • Doula FAQ
  • For Doulas
    • Membership >
      • New Membership Application
      • Scholarship Application
      • Membership Renewal
    • Becoming a Doula
    • Professional Events
    • Covid-19 Announcement
  • The Doula Fund
    • The Referral Program
    • Support The Fund
  • Contact

Standards of Practice.

The Birth Doula:
- Strives to provide continuous care for their client prenatally and during labour for as long as they are needed, as outlined in their agreement.
- Provides emotional, physical, and informational support to clients prenatally and during the birth process.
- Suggests and provides comfort measures.
- Facilitates the full participation of their client's partner and/or other chosen birth support persons, if desired.
- Respects the client's right to self determination by not speaking for them, nor making decisions for them.
- Helps the client prenatally to determine their preferences for their labour and birth, and will assist the client in adjusting to any unexpected changes, should they arise.
- Enhances communication between the client and the medical caregivers.
- Works as a member of the larger birth team, including medical care providers.
- Does not perform medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, checking fetal heart tones or vaginal exams.
- Makes back-up arrangements with another doula to ensure the client will be cared for if the Doula is sick or unavailable.
- Notifies the client in writing if they feel the need to discontinue service to an established client, and may help the client to find another DSA doula, if applicable.
- Refers the client to appropriate resources if their needs are beyond the scope of the Doula's training.

The Postpartum Doula:
- Works with families in the postpartum period, providing emotional, physical and informational support.
- Respects the culture and parenting style of the family.
- Provides evidence-based information so that the family can make informed decisions for the best interest of themselves and the baby.
- Encourages the family to ask questions and express concerns, and provides encouragement.
- Provides opportunities for rest, personal care, and healing.
- Demonstrates newborn care and assists with infant feeding, as needed.
- Assists with organization of the household.
- Does not give medical advice or diagnoses, perform clinical procedures, or administer medications.
- Refers client to healthcare professionals and other practitioners as needed.

Training and Experience:
All DSA Birth and Postpartum Doulas have completed:
- An approved training course with a minimum of 16 hours from an approved trainer.
- A narrative statement on the value and purpose of labour and/or postpartum support.
- Observation of a childbirth education series, or participation in other applicable continuing education related to their role as a Doula such as: breastfeeding, infant massage, miscarriage/loss support, etc.
- A recent Criminal Record Check.

Doulas on the Experienced List have completed:
- Support for three births, including written reflections and observations of each. (Birth Doulas)
- A minimum of 12 hours supporting families postpartum, with written reflections and observations for each family. (Postpartum Doulas)
Website built by Samantha Gagnon Consulting
Photography provided by Stages Doula + Photography