Doula Programs: Enhanced Doula Training

With our volunteer community-based doula program, Doulas Care, early program evaluation results, including published data gleaned from focus groups with the volunteer doulas, revealed that many volunteers felt unprepared to meet the unique needs of the population served by the program.

The doulas were more or less “birth junkies” whose training had prepared them to discuss the development of a birth plan with the expectant mother, and provide hands-on support at the birth. In some instances, however, the doulas were matched with homeless women whose primary concern was whether or not Children’s Protective Services would take their baby away if they were unable to find affordable housing before the birth. Clearly, birth plans take a back seat when survival issues are on the table.

Furthermore, helping doulas to establish good boundaries with their clients emerged as THE primary issue with which the doulas needed help. As awareness of the need for training beyond the core doula training curricula emerged, a two-part orientation program was developed as an essential component of volunteer training and preparation. Part I was designed to enroll qualified doulas as volunteers in the program, addressing scope of practice, policies, and procedures. Part II expands the role of the doula as a community outreach worker and provides training on perinatal risk factors and related topics.

The Doula Programs blog provides a forum for doula program visionaries and implementers to consider common challenges, ask questions, and learn from each other. Patty Brennan is the author of The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business.

Posted by Patty Brennan on February 10, 2011 • Filed under Doula Programs
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