A birth doula is a professional support person trained in the needs of the family during pregnancy and childbirth. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures.

A birth doula recognizes the profound impact of childbirth on the mother.

The birth doula does not provide medical care, clinical tasks such cervical checks or fetal heart tones and does not speak on behalf of the client.

1. Physiology of Childbirth
2. Common Interventions and Evidence Based Care
3. Comfort Measures for Childbirth
4. Breastfeeding
5. Communicating with Medical Care Providers and Clients Utilizing Emotional Intelligence

 A postpartum doula is a professional support person trained in the needs of the family in the days, weeks and months after birth or the addition of a new baby. 

The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support immediately after birth and through the first year.

1. Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Postpartum Mom and Partner
2. Caring for and Understanding the Needs of Baby/Babies
3. Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Siblings
4. Caring for and Understanding the Needs of the Home
5. Caring for the Whole Family Utilizing Emotional Intelligence

A breastfeeding counselor provides professional support that deals with the process of lactation.

1. Understand how the lactating breast works
2. Advise on breastfeeding with optimum positioning and latch
3. Identify causes of problems and ways to relieve them, and make  appropriate referrals
4. Guide mothers through milk expression: pumping, hand expression, collection, and storage
5. Advise in issues related to breastfeeding, supplementing, and weaning
6. Explain the nutritional needs of breastfeeding mothers and infants
7. Recognize situations that may cause new mothers to experience grief or anxiety and identify feelings that are part of that process