I attended the Labor Support Course at the Simkin School for Allied Birth Vocations in Seattle in January 2010. It is a 32-hour course that covers:

• Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, fetal development, labor, postpartum, and breastfeeding
• Components of prenatal care and the midwifery model of care
• Emotions of pregnancy
• Pain management techniques
• Medical procedures used in labor
• Labor variations and complications, including Cesarean birth
• Communication and listening skills
• The emotional and psychological aspects of giving birth and its significance in women’s lives
• The doula’s role, professional ethics, standards of practice, and certification
• Emotional support and physical comfort measures
• Support for difficult labors, Cesarean birth, and vaginal birth after Cesarean
• Newborn care and breastfeeding support
• Values clarification and cultural sensitivity
• Introduction to Childbearing

I am an active member in and certified as a birth doula with the local doula community, PALS-Doulas. I will soon be submitting the paperwork for certification with DONA International as well.