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Birth Doula with Couple

Holistic Doula Certification Requirements

Attending the Holistic Doula training is your first step toward becoming a Certified Holistic Doula.  There's more work to do after the training to become certified. As you should expect with any legitimate training! A Certified Holistic Doula is a Birth and Postpartum Doula that also offers Holistic Therapies for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Certification requirements include attendance, experiences, written assignments, and exams. ​ You don't have to wait to be certified to start your career, though. As soon as you complete the training, you can start providing services as a doula while you work toward certification. 

 

In order to be a Certified Holistic Doula, you must do the following steps.  

 

Three Steps to Certification:

 

Step 1:  Attendance Requirements:

Each student will be required to attend the following classes based on your selected training:

  • 5 online lectures for the Holistic Birth & Postpartum Doula class 

  • 3 online lectures for the Holistic Birth Doula class

  • 2 online lectures for the Holistic Postpartum Doula class

  • Attend and actively participate in all of your required classes.

  • You can also attend our optional Virtual Wellness Wednesday 

 

Step 2:  Provisional Certificate Requirements:

  • Complete Attendance Requirements as previously described. 

  • Complete all assignments/quizzes/exams with a passing grade of 80% or better.

  • Start A Birth & Postpartum local and online Resource/Referral list

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Step 3:  Choose Your Pathway to be a Certified Holistic Birth and/or Postpartum Doula

 

Pathway 1

  • Review 3 Assigned Videos and provide a detailed Reflection Assessment and Questionnaire for each video.

  •  For Holistic Birth Doula Certification complete a Book Report on The Birth Partner (any edition) by Penny Simkin.

  • For Holistic Postpartum Doula Certification complete a Book Report on Mothering the New Mother Women's Feelings & Needs After Childbirth - A Support & Resource Guide (any edition) by Sally Placksin. 

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OR

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Pathway 2- Based on which doula class you attend

  • Provide 3 verified holistic and alternative therapies to a parent (for both birth and postpartum)

  • Support 3 verified postpartum doula clients 

  • Support 3 verified birth doula clients

  • The  assignments can be completed with a minimum of three families, or with combination of different families.    For Birth Doulas, it would be optimum if you are present for one live vaginal birth but not required. 

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OR

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Pathway 3

  • A combination of Pathways 1 and 2 ​( Speak to us to discuss how you can combine)

 

​*Certification instructions will be emailed to you once you have attended all of the required classes. ​

 

A renewal of the provisional certificate may be obtained for an additional year provided proof is submitted of consistent efforts in the certification requirements.   2 years will be given to complete the full certification. (Contact us for questions or an extension)

 

Upon program completion of the required certification assignments, the student will be certified to offer professional services  (can use the following initials behind their name) as a Certified Holistic Birth and Postpartum Doula (CD), Certified Holistic Birth Doula (CD) or Certified Holistic Postpartum Doula (CPD).  Please contact us if you have any questions or circumstances that may need to be considered for you to become certified.

 

Recertification Requirements:

All Holistic Doula Certifications granted through Akwaaba Wellness are valid for a 2-year period. Doulas are required to submit proof of continuing education by December 1st   of the year your certificate expires to maintain an up-to-date certification. Certificate Renewal is a $65 fee.

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Facilitator Feedback: 
Our goal is for you to have a positive training experience and work together with us in the community. If you have any concerns related to the course, please let us know. 

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