. Both are 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.
Doulas on the Find a Doula List have the following training and experience: - An approved training course from an approved trainer. - 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) - 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 & Vulnerable Sector Check (please note, that while the Criminal Record Check can be completed online, the Vulnerable Sector Check cannot be and must be applied for in person in your community. Both are required.) - A valid CPR-C certificate (Postpartum Doulas)