Birth Doula Studies

Do you light up when you think about pregnancy, birth, babies, and new families? Would you like to make a positive difference in the life of a mother-to-be? Our Birth Doula program provides the education you need to provide support to expectant moms and their families during the birthing process.

A birth doula is a non-clinical care provider who provides information as well as physical, emotional, and often spiritual, support to a pregnant woman. Doulas generally provide two prenatal visits, attends the birth, and provides information and support in the early postpartum period.

Upon successful completion of this program you will be awarded a College of the Rockies Continuing Education Certificate of Achievement (non-credit).

Course Overview

Course Descriptions

PVPS-261 – Module 1

A doula is a trusted birthing companion who provides information and physical, emotional, and often spiritual support to a woman before, during, and just after childbirth. As a doula, you draw upon your knowledge and experience to help provide the information necessary for your client to make informed choices throughout the birth process. This module is an introduction to the role of a doula. You learn more about yourself and how you can use this self-knowledge to support your clients. In this module, you also learn about the scope of practice of a doula, how you can best support a woman in birth within your scope of practice, and how to assist your clients during the stages of natural birth as a member of the maternity care team.

PVPS-262 – Module 2 – The Doula During Childbirth

Module 2 of the Birth Doula Certificate program furthers your understanding of how the doula helps her clients, from providing support for maternal changes during pregnancy right through to the early postpartum period. A significant and intense part of this module is focused on the development of your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology related to childbirth and hospital procedures. This knowledge helps you to translate or interpret medical terminology and proposed procedures for your clients so they are more able to make informed decisions for themselves. You also learn about ways in which doulas provide balance on the maternity care team during childbirth and about ways to support the new family during the immediate postpartum period.

PVPS-263 – Module 3 – The Baby, the Business and You

Module 3 of the Birth Doula Studies program furthers your understanding of how the doula supports her clients through the postpartum period. You will learn more about the newborn baby and how to support the new family. In addition, you learn how to move forward into your new role as a doula. We talk about challenges that you may face in your new professional life and how you – the caregiver – can give care to yourself. In this module, we also explore how to set up a successful doula business and how to use cost effective marketing to become known and respected within your community.

Practicum Descriptions

In addition to online Modules 1, 2 and 3, the following practicum assignments need to be completed to earn the Birth Doula Studies Continuing Education Certificate.

PVPS 264 – Practicum 1 (Volunteer Experience + Book Reports)

Practicum 1 is to assist students with networking in their community, enhancing their knowledge and assisting them with further community opportunities for learning.

Volunteer Experience
A minimum of 20 hours of volunteer experience is required within 6 months of program start date. Resources and instructions will be posted online in the course.

Book Reports 1 & 2
Read and report on 2 books from the required reading list within 6 months of program start date. Resources and instructions will be posted online in the course.

PVPS 265 – Practicum 2: Community Research Projects

Students may begin Practicum 2 at any time after the course commences and it will be due within 6 months from the program start date. Practicum 2 is meant to expand learning related to specialized areas of birth and to connect clients with additional resources in their community.

Lactation: Students are required to interview a Midwife, Maternity Nurse,Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding Counsellor. They may also participate in a Lactation workshop and are to write a research paper on what they have learned, how breastfeeding is promoted in their community, how they can incorporate more breastfeeding knowledge to new families and whether there are community groups available such as La Leche League.

Bereavement: Students are to interview a Credentialed Bereavement Doula Grief Counsellor or member of their Hospice Society (or a combination) to gain dimension into the stages of grief as it pertains to Pregnancy and Infant Loss. They will be required to research what resources are available in their community in terms of their local hospital as well as a local funeral home.

Admission Requirements

Tuition Information

Career Info and Pathways

Birth Doula Studies