Course Overview

Course Overview &

What To Expect

Module 1 – Your Doula Mindset

• History of Doulas;
• Knowing your what gives you your how;
• Self-nurturing and healing to prevent burnout;
• Identifying and releasing limiting beliefs;
• Dealing with stress and anxiety;
• Alternative therapies;
• Time Management;
• Problem solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Decluttering;
• What’s in your doula bag – your Mary Poppins bag of tricks?
• Saying no and not feeling guilty;
• Supporting all women, no matter how they birth.

Module 2 – Business Savvy Doula

• Setting up your doula business, insurances and contracts;
• What is your goal, your mission and your vision?
• It’s not your business what others think;
• Connecting with potential clients – your features and benefits;
• Building rapport and trust;
• Saying NO and not feeling guilty;
• Branding;
• Marketing and advertising tricks;
• Social media;
• Mapping out your business plan;
• Setting up and maintaining your resource library;
• Understanding how to look for and dissect research;
• Cross referrals and collaborating with other professionals;
• Business templates and contracts;
• Affiliate program for Back to Basics Birthing online course;
• 12-month Doula Training Academy Membership;
• Mentoring, Debriefing & Buddy program;
• Continued education through regular webinars and meetups.

Module 3 – Anatomy & Physiology of Birth

• Choices in maternity care;
• Rights of Childbearing Women in Australia;
• Birth Plans and why they are important;
• Comprehensive Childbirth Education to ensure the correct information is given to your clients during discussions;
• Anatomy & Physiology of the pregnant body and hormones.

Module 4 – Hypnobirthing Australia Supportive Caregiver

• Hypnobirthing Australia Supportive Caregiver training.
• Understanding the mind / body connection;
• Fear release techniques;
• Conditioning the mind for a positive, calm birth by helping women to relax more, fear less, let go of tension and trust their body and their baby.

Module 5 – Your Doula Toolkit

• Breathing techniques;
• The 5 Senses of Birth;
• Massage – muscles, joints and ligaments of the pelvis;
• Acupressure during pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond;
• Using essential oils safely;
• The power behind using Affirmations;
• The underutilised technique of Visualisation;
• Music, meditations and hypnosis;
• Setting up the environment as a safe, comfortable birth space for mother and newborn baby.

Module 6 – Pelvic Pathways – Optimal Positioning

• Understanding how the fascia, ligaments and pelvis work together for baby to be in an ideal position;
• Preparing the body to prevent problems not fix them;
• Effective rebozo techniques;
• Optimum positioning of baby;
• Where is baby rather than what is happening to the cervix;
• Helping to support the progress of labour.

Module 7 – Physiological Birth, Inductions and Interventions

• What are interventions and how can a couple avoid them?
• Medical versus natural induction methods & resources;
• Medical versus natural pain relief options & resources;
• Working with other health professionals including medical caregivers and sifting through policies and procedures of hospitals.

Module 8 – Variations of Birth

• Supporting women through a change of circumstances;
• Working with VBAC women and their partners, including evidence-based information and resources;
• Birth settings – home, hospital, birthing centre, transfers.

Module 9 – Caesarean Births

• Supporting women leading up to, during and after caesarean birth;
• Mother-centred caesareans;
• Encouraging and supporting a labour caesarean;
• Healing after caesarean.

Module 10 – Supporting VBAC clients

• The myths, the evidence and the support;
• Helping a couple to choose a VBAC supportive caregiver;
• Preparing for a VBAC.

Module 11 – Stillbirth & Bereaved Parents

• Supporting couples through loss;
• Resources;
• Your own self-care and debriefing.

Module 12 – Self-care strategies to help manage trauma

• Seeking out help and debriefing after each birth;
• Compassionate Boundaries;
• It’s not your birth;
• Obstetric violence.

Module 13 – Postpartum Support

• The first hour after birth;
• Emotional support;
• Practical skills;
• Local resources.

Module 14 – Breastfeeding Support

• Signs baby is ready to feed;
• Positioning and attachment principles;
• Signs of successful feeding.

Module 15 – Mother Blessings & Rituals

• Honouring and celebrating a woman’s journey into motherhood;
• Emotional, physical, mental and spiritual growth;
• Discussing different cultures and rituals.