International Childbirth Education Association

Postpartum Doula Program

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Individual Introductions Instructor Introductions

Bathrooms, Cell Phones, Breaks, Q&A

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Part 1: ICEA and Postpartum Doula Certification

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� Define the role and the scope of practice for the postpartum doula.

� Recall a brief history of ICEA. � Recall four levels of support for the ICEA

professional postpartum doula.

OObjectives

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“The period after childbirth in which the family system goes though a physiological, psychological and social adaptive process. Successful mastery of the tasks of postpartum creates the foundation for healthy family relationships that endure across time.”

~ ICEA Position Paper

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� 1930’s - Grantly Dick-Read writes Natural Childbirth.

� 1944 – Dick-Read writes Childbirth Without Fear.

� 1947 – Dick-Read invited to US by Maternity Center Association. His visit spurred parents and professionals forming community groups – the first was Milwaukee Natural Childbirth Association.

TThe History of ICEA

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� 1955 – 13 community groups joined with MCA to lay the groundwork for the formation of a national childbirth education association.

� 1960 – At the first National Convention for Childbirth Education held in Milwaukee, the name International Childbirth Education Association was adopted.

� 1970’s – ICEA membership grew to over 3000 and the motto was adopted.

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� 1980’s – ICEA develops the Teacher Training Program. Position Papers, and in 1985 the International Journal of Childbirth Education began.

� 1996 – ICEA began their Postnatal Education and Doula Programs.

� 1999 – ICEA endorsed the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative from the Coalition of Improving Maternity Services.

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� 2002 – became a member of MOD Prematurity Alliance.

� 2008 – hired First Point Resources, a management company who also has CIMS and ILCA.

� 2015…..

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� ICEA has a 55 year history of being a top international perinatal organization.

� ICEA maintains a web site listing for all ICEA members.

� ICEA provides a website listing all ICEA Certified Postpartum Doulas.

� ICEA published a Journal for members. � ICEA offers continuing education programs. � Candidate mentoring program.

UUnique Benefits of ICEA

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� 18 yrs old � Membership in ICEA � Proof of attendance at an approved ICEA

Postpartum Doula Workshop or completion of the approved online ICEA Postpartum Doula Workshop.

� CPR – infant/child/adult certification

PPostpartum Doula Certification Requirements

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� Proof of completion of Part 1 of the Hug Your Baby program.

� Proof of attendance at a Breastfeeding class (at least 4 hours), taught by a CLC or IBCLS or Certificate of Completion of the Lactation Management Self Study Modules Level 1 from Wellstart International or proof of attendance at an ICEA approved Early Lactation Workshop.

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� 3 good client evaluations for a total of 12 hours of postpartum doula care.

� Signed Scope of Practice Form. � Completed Birth and Postpartum Community

Resource List. � Application must be completed within 2 yrs

of the original date of enrollment. � Successful completion with a passing grade –

Postpartum Doula Exam.

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� Postpartum normal, healthy time � A time to create a healthy family � Learning is important to becoming good

parents � Adequate support is both a right and a

strength

WWellness Model for Postpartum Support

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� Lack of support ◦ Nation of transplants, working families

� Lack of public awareness of postpartum

◦ Not as much focus as pregnancy

� Nature of the postpartum experience ◦ Mothers and families need “mothering”

WWhy Postpartum Doulas?

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� DDefines normal, healthy work of postpartum � Clarifies needs parents may encounter � Helps identify resources for support � Provides concrete approaches for accessing

help � Distinguishes between normal adjustments

and warning signs

Barriers broken by support and education

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� Lack of knowledge of postpartum � Fear of appearing inadequate or incompetent � Fear of “helpers” that will make matters worse � Extreme levels of deprivation and dysfunction

BBarriers to Accessing Postpartum Needs

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� Educates mother on postpartum care and comfort measures

� Encourages healthy nourishment and fluids � Encourages rest and self care � Helps avoid discomforts of postpartum

(engorgement)

PPhysical Support

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� LListens to birth story � Supports the entire family � Validates the emotional challenges � Encourages and reassures the family

Emotional Support

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� Guides family in infant care techniques � Provides information on infant development � Provides evidence based information on

feeding their baby � Informs parents on children’s illness and

injury prevention � Assists families with bonding and attachment

issues

PPostpartum Informational Support

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� Stop, look and listen to the parent and baby before offering your advice

� Gather information � Offer guidance � Build on the parent’s strengths � Provide assistance in navigating multiple

points of view

GGuiding Parents Learning

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� What are the possible choices? � What does the best available research tell us

about beneficial and harmful effects of each of these choices?

� What are her own needs and preferences and those of her partner (if she has one)?

IInformed Consent

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� What choices are available and supported in her care setting and through her caregivers?

� If she wants an option that will not or may not be available would she consider switching to a care setting or caregiver that does offer the preferred care?

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� BBenefit � Risk � Alternative � Intuition � Now or nothing

B.R.A.I.N

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� Meals and snacks � Cares for baby � Phone calls � Answers the door

PPractical Help� Errands � Help care for siblings � Laundry � Light house cleaning

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PPractical HelpImmediately after birth PLUS

Organizing Family Life

Time management

New family member

Maternal – Physical Maternal – Emotional

Recoupling

Integrating

Baby – Physical Baby – Emotional

Feeding

Growth and Development

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� Perform medical procedures � Provide a medical diagnosis � Offer medical treatment for an illness � Give one sided advice

PPostpartum Doulas – Do NOT

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“This is out of my scope” “This is out of my scope” “This is out of my scope” “That is out of my scope, however as a nurse…” “That is out of my scope, however as a childbirth educator…”

SScope of Practice

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CCultural Diversity

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