This free online course explains how a professional birth doula assists their clients before, during and after labour.

Childbirth can be a blissful and cherished moment while also being overwhelming and unsettling as it brings discomforting physical changes. These can include contractions, back pain, swollen breasts, the frequent need to urinate and more. Pregnant women/persons require care, support and medical attention to endure such a difficult and daunting time. Due to its rough periods, pregnancy may demand the skills and experience of a birth doula. A birth doula is a childbirth professional who provides informational, emotional and physical support before and after labour. This course explains the roles and responsibilities of a birth doula and why a pregnant woman/person might need them.

Understanding how a woman/person's body functions during pregnancy are crucial for both a birth doula and an expectant parent. We describe the anatomy of females' sexual and reproductive parts and explain infertility, menopause, how to fall pregnant, how babies grow and the progressive changes that occur in a body during pregnancy. Workplace stress can be harmful to a foetus, depending on the gestation age of its parent, and we demonstrate how to determine when a pregnant woman/person should take a break from work and focus on their pregnancy. As a birth doula, paying attention to a pregnant woman's/person's diet is critical because anything they eat can affect the foetus. Some therapies can assist a person in getting through the phases of pregnancy. We provide dietary information concerning pregnancy, complementary therapies, and exercises to help a prospective parent.

We then explore pregnancy symptoms and how to manage them before describing various clinical tests performed on pregnant women/persons. You will learn how newborn babies are screened and cared for. The course then examines the postpartum period and outlines how a woman/person recuperates after labour, how newborn babies are screened and more. It is critical for couples to plan out their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. Such family planning can prevent unplanned pregnancies and the health and financial risks they create. We provide the nitty gritty of family planning and explain how to communicate effectively before going through the birth doula's code of ethics. This course has no prerequisites and provides the training required to become a professional doula, a career path that is growing in importance and popularity as many pregnant women/persons require their assistance to get through the difficult stages of pregnancy and labour. Sign up to acquire the birth coaching skills you need to work as a birth companion.