CAPPA CANADA LABOUR DOULA TRAINING

CAPPA Canadian Training : http://cappa.net/canadatraining.asp

CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association of Canada)

www.cappacanada.ca

CAPPA Canada is a division of CAPPA, an international non-profit organization, that was founded in 1998 to offer the highest level of professional membership and training to childbirth educators, lactation educators, labour doulas, antepartum doulas and postpartum doulas. CAPPA offers the highest level of evidence based training available. The organization consists of a leadership board, regional representatives, trainers, mentors, advisors and its membership. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization available...caring for women before, during, and after birth through education and support.

CAPPA Canada offers a uniquely Canadian Program, which includes Canadian manuals, and Certification packets, Canadian workshops, Canadian content in the required reading lists, Canadian pricing for memberships and materials, Canadian Directors of Programs, and a Canadian CAPPA website. The CAPPA Canada office focuses on administration of these services, customer service and promotion of Childbirth Supportive Care in Canada.

CAPPA is an organization that supports its members, professional organizations, the medical community and childbearing families. We believe that empowering a woman in the childbirth experience, promoting informed choice, and enhancing awareness of healthy living can create positive results.

Labour Doula Program

www.cappacanada.ca/labordo.html

Are you Doula Material?

Not everyone is "doula material". Many women love birth and have the knowledge required, but are still unable to be a good doula. Some people believe that to be a good doula you must have given birth yourself. There are many childless doulas with wonderful skills and very kind and caring hearts. Sometimes they find doula work easier than others as they have fewer commitments than women with children.

What, then, makes a good doula? One of the most important qualities of a good doula is the ability to put aside her own feelings about what is a "good birth" and support the mother and her partner in their decisions. This is not always easy, especially when we see women making choices that we know will lead to a highly interventive birth. It is essential that doulas do not push their own feelings on expectant parents.

Another important quality is a caring and compassionate heart. It is also important that the doula have physical strength, good listening skills, a calm demeanor, and a good knowledge of childbirth. A person who has too many personal problems does not make a good doula. It is important when supporting a woman during labour and birth that the doula is not distracted by her own problems. A good doula must be able to tolerate long periods with no sleep, she must be able to live an on-call lifestyle, and if she has children, she will need on-call childcare. She must also be able to handle conflict with a level head and a professional demeanor.

Birth is fascinating and the concept of having a job that puts one around it on a regular basis is intriguing to many. Unfortunately, there is a price that comes with living the life of a doula, and a good doula must be willing to "count the cost" to her lifestyle, emotions, and family.

Traditional CAPPA Canada Labour Doula Certification process

The certification process consists of the following steps:

• Be a current member of CAPPA Canada


• (All CAPPA Canada certified professionals are required to maintain continuous membership. A lapse in your CAPPA Canada membership will result in a 50.00 reinstatement fee and all overdue membership dues must be paid. CAPPA Canada certified professionals who let their membership lapse more than 120 days must pay a 100.00 reinstate fee plus all past due membership dues.)


• Enter certification program by purchasing the labour doula certification packet from CAPPA Canada or your trainer. You will have 2 years to complete the program from the time your packet is received.
• Read five books from the CAPPA Canada reading list
  (Click to see required reading list)
• Attend a CAPPA Canada approved labour doula training workshop, minimum 16 hours.
• Before the course, participants should have a basic knowledge of the following:
• Anatomy of the female reproductive system and breasts
• Physiology of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding
• Definitions of medical terms regarding labour
• Medication administration/medical interventions-risks, benefits, alternatives
• Cesarean Births and VBAC
• Normal newborn appearance
• Before the training, complete the pre-workshop study guide and submit to the trainer on the first day of the workshop.
  CLD preworkshop study guide
• Pass a test on labour doula skills and knowledge. This test is an open book test/knowledge assessment and an answer sheet must be submitted with your final certification application. 85% passing grade required.
• Attend a local breastfeeding class (ie La Leche League) or breastfeeding consultation as an observer/volunteer with an IBCLC, minimum 4 hours. Proof of attendance required. Include a detailed outline of what was taught and a summary (250-500 words) of what you learned.
• Attend a childbirth education class (complete series). The class must be taught by a certified childbirth educator (proof required). Write a 500-word summary of what you learned. Class must be a minimum of 12 hours in length.
• Attend 3 labours/births as a doula. Submit copies of good evaluations from the parents, doctor/midwife, and the L & D nurse (total of 3 evaluations for each of the 3 births).
• These births must be attended after completing the CAPPA Canada labour doula training workshop. Each birth attended MUST begin before or at the onset of active labour, the birth and the IMMEDIATE postpartum period right after the birth.
• If a Cesarean birth is attended, it may only be used as one of your 3 births.
• ****it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced certified doula in your area as a possible mentor for one/all of these 3 births.
• Write a summary of each birth (250-500 words), including a brief description of the labour; the role of the doula at this birth; mother's reaction to the labour and birth; reaction of the medical staff to the doula's presence; what you learned from this birth.
• Submit 2 letters of recommendation for labour doula certification from a certified labour doula, certified childbirth educator, certified lactation educator, certified postpartum doula, certified antepartum doula, midwife, obstetrician, or lactation consultant (IBCLC). One letter for character reference and the other as a professional reference.
• In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA Canada certification they must sign and agree to the CAPPA philosophy, code of conduct, scope of practice and grievance policy.
• Upon successful completion of any of the CAPPA Canada certification programs, you will receive a CAPPA Canada name tag, certificate and the title of CLD (certified labour doula).

**CAPPA Canada reserves the right to withhold certification to those candidates that do not meet the requirements set forth. CAPPA Canada also reserves 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 Canada standards of professionalism, 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 Canada withholding certification.

Cost for Traditional Certification

Member fee $40.00 ($35 if purchased at workshop)
Certification Packet $30.00 (can be purchased at workshop)
Certification Processing Fee $75.00 (payable to CAPPA Canada when packet is submitted)

Certification Results Policy

Application process will take approximately 4-6 weeks for CAPPA Canada to grade and process your certification materials once received. CAPPA Canada receives a high volume of certification requests. CAPPA Canada will contact you by letter or email within that time frame once your application has been reviewed.

Many of our trainers are willing to travel to your area and provide trainings. Some do require a minimum amount of participants to travel. Contact CAPPA Canada by email at info@cappacanada.ca if you wish to host a training in your area.

Specially designed for those interested in supporting the childbirth process and or the desire certification as a Labour Doula. This training has been issued 18.6 CEU's by CAPPA Canada.