A Madriella certified postpartum doula provides guidance to new parents on important subjects like infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother & baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care.
The Madriella certified postpartum doula curriculum is an evidenced-based, academic program designed to fully prepare the applicant to serve a new family in those critical first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby.
To be certified as a Madriella Postpartum Doula you need to pass the online certification examination that is based on the material in this curriculum. All certification candidates must be over the age of 18 and are required to obtain a valid CPR/First Aid certification prior to being certified. You may enroll in the program and take the certification examination without it, but we will not process your certification until you notify us that you have received it.
Course Prerequisite: Madriella Birth Doula Certification
(The Madriella Birth Doula course MUST be completed before this course can be started. No exceptions!)
Course Requirements:
Textbook for course (see reading list)
A working Internet connection
A computer or mobile device capable of:
a) Accessing the Internet
b) Uploading a written assignment/digital photo
c) Posting/reading messages in the forum
| Module 1 | The Postpartum Doula |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 | The Job Description |
| Unit 2 | Term of Employment |
| Unit 3 | Working Hours |
| Unit 4 | How Madriella's Five Facets of Support apply to the Postpartum Doula |
| Unit 5 | Summary, Footnotes and Quiz |
| Module 2 | Physical needs and care |
| Unit 1 | What, you thought we were done with terms? |
| Unit 2 | Understanding the postpartum period |
| Unit 3 | Perineal Wound Care |
| Unit 4 | The Pelvic Floor |
| Unit 5 | Recovering from Cesarean Births |
| Unit 6 | Emotional Bonding |
| Unit 7 | Attachment |
| Unit 8 | Mom's Needs |
| Unit 9 | Getting adequate rest |
| Unit 10 | Physical Changes |
| Unit 11 | Regaining a healthy weight and shape |
| Unit 12 | Bathroom issues |
| Unit 13 | Summary, Footnotes and Quiz |
| Module 3 | Emotional needs and support |
| Unit 1 | Emotional Needs of New Mothers |
| Unit 2 | About sexual relations in the postpartum period |
| Unit 3 | The worries of a new parent |
| Unit 4 | Summary, Footnotes and Quiz |
| Module 4 | Teaching Mothering skills |
| Unit 1 | The Baby's Appearance |
| Unit 2 | Feeding Options |
| Unit 3 | Helping her succeed at breastfeeding |
| Unit 4 | Breastfeeding Basics |
| Unit 5 | Breastfeeding Issues and Resolutions |
| Unit 6 | Bottle Feeding |
| Unit 7 | Formula Options - Part 1 |
| Unit 8 | Formula Options - Part 2 |
| Unit 9 | Diaper Changing |
| Unit 10 | Bathing the Baby |
| Unit 11 | Sleeping Babies |
| Unit 12 | The Dreaded Colic |
| Unit 13 | Keeping the baby asleep |
| Unit 14 | Summary, footnotes and Quiz |
| Module 5 | General support |
| Unit 1 | What is General Support |
| Unit 2 | Household Assistance |
| Unit 3 | Mt. Washmore |
| Unit 4 | Meals and Food Prep |
| Unit 5 | General Errands |
| Unit 6 | Required Reading |
| Unit 7 | Research Assignment Resources |
| Unit 8 | Summary and Quiz |
| Module 6 | Safety issues |
| Unit 1 | Introduction |
| Unit 2 | Postpartum Hemorrhage |
| Unit 3 | Preventing a Cesarean Wound Infection |
| Unit 4 | Post-Cesarean Wound Infection |
| Unit 5 | Psychological Safety |
| Unit 6 | Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders Overview |
| Unit 7 | Psychosis in Pregnancy and Postpartum |
| Unit 8 | Summary and Quiz |
| Module 7 | Standards of Practice Review |
| Unit 1 | Standards of Practice Review |
| Module 8 | Madriella Postpartum Doula Certification Examination |
| Unit 1 | Postpartum Doula Certification Exam |