HE 281 Community Birth Doula

This course imparts the core knowledge and skills necessary to serve in the capacity as a community birth doula and to meet the birth doula training requirements to become certified as a Traditional Health Worker (THW) Birth Doula through the state of Oregon. The course prepares people to practice the role of the birth doula as an educator, supporter, comforter, companion, connector, navigator, guide, facilitator, and protector of childbearing families.

The events and experiences surrounding childbearing have life-long implications. Key goals of the course are to improve holistic health outcomes for birthing persons and infants, positively affect individual and healthcare system transformation, and advance reproductive health equity. While there is an emphasis on the facilitation of the physiological childbearing process through a wealth of tried-and-true measures to help birthing people cope with their labors and cultivation of positive birthing attitudes, the training is comprehensive in helping families to cope with a variety of birth pathways, including unexpected outcomes. Support skills include hands-on techniques, interviewing and communication skills, and the creation of therapeutic presence.