Study after study has shown that the presence of a birth doula at a woman's labor results in lower intervention rates, higher satisfaction with the birth, fewer requests for pain medication and fewer cesarean births. Become a professional labor attendant and help make a difference for laboring women, their partners and their babies!

We at Natural Resources are confident our training is the very best in the Bay Area. Our coursework needed for certification includes a 27-hour core program and two additional classes (9 hours of coursework) taken separately. Our program provides a thorough preparation in attending women in childbirth. Enrollment includes an informative training binder, local resources for volunteer opportunities, continued support from the instructor, and the option of certification after completing additional hands-on training. The program includes:

• Comprehensive understanding of labor and birth
• Comfort measures and relaxation techniques
• Study of positions for an active birth
• Emotional support for women and their partners
• Consumer advocacy and informed choice
• Understanding the pros and cons of medical technology in birth
• Establishing a successful doula practice

Additional courses offered and required for certification include:

• labor massage techniques
• mind/body comfort measures.

The program is held three times a year, beginning in February, June and October. Enrollment is limited. Adult CPR certification is required to become certified as a birth doula through Natural Resources.

1. Attendance of the following training classes:

Birth Doula Core Training - 27 hours
Labor Support Massage - 5 hours
Mind Body Comfort Measures - 3 hours

2. Reading

Core Reading:
a. Pregnancy, Birth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin OR The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
b. The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennel and Klaus
c. The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

Additional Reading requirements for certification:
a. Heart and Hands by Elizabeth Davis
b. VBAC Companion by Diane Korte
c. The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins
d. Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones

3. One page written response to each book on the required reading list

4. Adult CPR certification

5. Attendance of 6 births (occurring after the training): 3 of the births ae to include prenatal, birth and postpartum support

6. Written synopsis of 1-2 pages in length, of each birth attended. Include the following:

a. What you did, how it helped, what you learned
b. Complete the Labor Support Checklist (in doula training binder) for each birth

7. For each birth attended, client (mother) must complete Natural Resources Evaluation of Labor Support Services Questionnaire (in doula training binder)

8. Passing score on Certification Test, to be taken upon completion of the above requirements

9. Students will have 2 years upon completion of the basic doula training in which to complete the remaining requirements for certification