Archives: Course

As a doula, you will often be asked about how to cope with different pregnancy discomforts. While this is not your main reason for being hired, it is okay to help her look for resources that may help her. You … Read More

Most people start their journey in pregnancy and birth without a general knowledge about what philosophy of birth their care provider follows, or that there may even be a difference between care providers. This should be more fully explored with … Read More

Require Readings Reading from online: Read Anxiety in Childbirth (pdf) Assignment to Turn in Meet with a woman and specifically discuss an anxiety assessment. Include a handout on what anxiety is and how a doula helps to decrease the negative … Read More

Required Reading Reading from course material:  Read Case Study 10 or pick one of the previous case studies. Assignment to Turn in Discuss why a woman may feel anxiety in a situation like the one given and what you would … Read More

As the doula, it is your job to make sure that a laboring woman is adapting well to the stressors that are placed on her during labor. Anxiety and stress can be beneficial, as noted above. It moves the woman … Read More

High anxiety has been associated with poor birth outcomes for the baby, including low birth weight, prematurity, and low apgar scores. Also, high anxiety has been correlated with a decrease in the frequency of vaginal births. When it comes to … Read More

When we feel a threat, our bodies respond very quickly. This threat can be real or imagined, but the response is the same. Glucocortoids, adrenaline and noradrenaline are released. Glucagon is released by the pancreas and the pituitary releases prolactin. … Read More

There are multiple causes of why women may feel anxiety during pregnancy and labor. Some women are just genetically predisposed to experiencing feelings of anxiety. This can come from biological causes or the environment in which they grew up. Because … Read More

There are numerous transition periods throughout a woman’s life which requires restructuring and adjusting. Pregnancy and birth are one of those times. Because of this, anxiety is a very normal part of this transition. However, it must be carefully watched … Read More

Required Reading Reading from purchased books:  Read the sub-section entitled “Pain vs. Suffering,” in “Chapter 4: Comfort Measures for Labor,”  The Birth Partner, pp.112-13 Assignment to Turn in Meet with a woman and specifically discuss a pain assessment. Submit a … Read More