Get Certified as a Labor Doula
Overview
In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA philosophy, code of conduct, scope of practice, and grievance policy. We reserve the right to withhold certification to those candidates that do not meet the requirements set forth. We also reserve the right to withhold certification based on all contact with candidates for certification, including, but not limited to phone calls, e-mails, and certification materials. An understanding of CAPPA standards of professionalism, our scope of practice, and code of conduct must be demonstrated by candidates at all times and in all communications. Failure to demonstrate an understanding of the aforementioned may result in CAPPA withholding certification. This is rare.
While 92% of candidates do obtain certification, CAPPA cannot guarantee certification will be obtained by entering our program. In the event a candidate fails to pass certification requirements, the candidate has up to one year to complete the failed portions of the certification requirements. There will be no further processing fees. The candidate who exceeds one year to complete the aforementioned portions of certification may be asked to re-enter the certification program and may incur additional fees.
Please allow approximately six weeks for CAPPA to grade and process your certification materials* once we receive them. CAPPA receives a high volume of certification requests, and each certification request is given individual attention. Upon successful completion of any of the CAPPA certification programs, you will receive a CAPPA name tag and a certificate. CAPPA certified labor doulas may use the letters "CLD" after their names.
You must be at least 18 years old to certify with CAPPA.
* When submitting your certification materials, please do not send originals.
What is a Labor Doula?
A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby. The certified doula is trained to deliver emotional support from home to hospital, ease the transition into the hospital environment, and be there through changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of titles used by women offering these kinds of services such as "birth assistant," "labor support specialist" and "doula".
What Does a Doula Do?
The following is a general description of what you might expect from a CAPPA certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.
A doula can help the woman to determine prelabor from true labor and early labor from active labor. At a point determined by the woman in labor, the doula will come to her and assist her by:
- Helping her to rest and relax
- Providing support for the woman's partner
- Encouraging nutrition and fluids in early labor
- Assisting her in using a variety of helpful positions and comfort measures
- Constantly focus on the comfort of both the woman and her partner
- Helping the environment to be one in which the woman feels secure and confident
- Providing her with information on birth options
A doula works cooperatively with the health care team. In the event of a complication, a doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options the family may have. The doula may also help with the initial breastfeeding and in preserving the privacy of the new family during the first hour after birth.
Distance Certification
This program was designed for the many women who are unable to attend a doula training. The program offers in-home training with the use of a professionally produced video series version of a CAPPA labor doula training workshop. The video series is approximately 9 hours in length. Each participant will also receive the labor doula training manual and the certification packet.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues.
- Read five books from the required reading list.
- Attend a local breastfeeding class. Proof of attendance is required. Include a detailed outline of what was taught and a summary of what you learned.
- Purchase the doula training video series, labor doula manual, and certification packet from CAPPA, all of which are available in our CAPPA India. The videos were professionally taped at a real labor doula workshop and are approximately 9 hours long. Participants will have their manual with them while watching and page numbers will be on the video screen.
- View the set of three videos which includes Labor Support: A Comfort Guide, Special Women, and Gentle Birth Choices. These videos can be purchased here in our shop.
- Pass the test on basic labor doula skills and knowledge included in your packet. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
- Attend three labors/births as a doula. Submit copies of good evaluations from the parents, from a doctor or midwife, and from a nurse from each birth. (There should be a total of 3 evaluations for each birth.) These births must be attended after the CAPPA labor doula training. Include a summary of the births that includes what happened, what you did, what you would do differently and what you learned.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a certified labor doula, certified childbirth educator, certified lactation educator, certified postpartum doula, certified antepartum doula, midwife, obstetrician, or lactation consultant (IBCLC).
- Complete one essay and one research paper on two of the topics included in the certification packet. Each should be a minimum of six pages double spaced, typed with 1" margins.
- Attend and observe a CAPPA approved local childbirth education series. Series must be taught by a certified childbirth educator and must be at least 10 hours in length. Proof of attendance and a summary of what you learned are required.
Dual Certification
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Be a member of CAPPA. All CAPPA certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA membership will result in a $50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a $100.00 reinstatement fee plus all past due membership dues.
- Purchase the labor doula dual certification/certification transfer program, available in our CAPPA India.
- Submit proof of current certification from an approved labor doula certification program.
- Read 3 books from the required reading list.
- Pass a test on basic labor doula skills and knowledge. The test is an open book test and the answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification. An 85% passing grade is required.
- Submit a 300-500 word essay on CAPPA's labor doula scope of practice.
- Submit two letters of recommendation or evaluation forms from previous labor doula clients. Evaluations and letters must be within the last two years.