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Doula Programs: Risk Management Strategies
The 16-hour (or so) bare-bones doula training is insufficient to prepare doulas for coping with the needs of high-risk moms. I recommend developing enhanced doula training that covers medical and social risk topics including:
- Signs of premature labor
- Instruction in infection risks and universal precautions
- Substance abuse risks, behaviors, and appropriate doula responses
- Symptoms of postpartum depression (differentiate “baby blues”)
- Domestic violence awareness
- Child abuse and neglect and the doula’s role
- Perinatal grief and loss support
- Client confidentiality and HIPAA laws
- Cultural competency
- Establishing and maintaining professional boundaries
- Personal safety strategies and self-defense for home visitors
- Community resources and accessing help
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.