A Postpartum Doula can help fill an important role in providing emotional, physical, and evidence-based informational support to your new family after the birth of your baby.
How I can work with your family? As a Postpartum Doula, I work with families in the postpartum period; offering support, information, instruction, comfort, and referrals as needed. I support the mother’s recovery, give instruction on infant care and feeding, and assist with household organization.
What is CAPPA and what does it mean to me? CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators. Since our foundation in 1998, CAPPA has certified thousands of perinatal professionals. I am currently completing my certification and will be fully certified in 2017.
Clinical Limitations of Postpartum Doulas Postpartum Doulas are non-clinical professionals and I do not qualify to act as a medical care provider. CAPPA Postpartum Doulas do not dispense medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results, perform clinical procedures, or prescribe/administer medications or treatments of any kind.
CAPPA Standards CAPPA Postpartum Doulas work within the CAPPA’s standards of practice to uphold the following (available to read as individual documents): code of conduct, a grievance policy, mission statement, vision statement, organization philosophy, and social media policy. CAPPA Postpartum Doulas use current evidence based information in their practice. They maintain their knowledge and skills through continuing education. They work within the legal framework of their individual community and region.
CAPPA Postpartum Doulas:
Provide non-biased emotional, physical, and informational support during the postpartum period
Encourage the family to seek care that reflects their values and needs
Models and teaches effective communication
Encourage informed decision making
Support the physical and emotional healing of the mother
Provide information on care options and resources for the mother and newborn
Support and assists with infant feeding
Educate the family on newborn care and characteristics
Provide support to the new mother’s partner and/or family
Assist with household organization
Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis
CAPPA Postpartum Doulas do not:
Diagnose medical conditions
Interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results
Prescribe or administer treatment of medical conditions
Perform clinical procedures, including: taking infant’s temperature or administrating medications to infant or mother
Take over complete care of the infant, including: buckling infant into car or car seat and cutting infant’s nails