Become a Doula at Nurture

Discover Your Calling

Empower Births, Transform Lives - Become a Doula

At Nurture, we provide official CAPPA labor doula trainings, virtually and in-person, for those wanting to begin their doula career.

CAPPA is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators. As one of the first and most comprehensive perinatal organizations in the world, CAPPA is respected for its longevity and commitment to excellence in both education and unsurpassed student and member support. Since their foundation in 1998, CAPPA has certified thousands of perinatal professionals worldwide.

  • Five women seated in a circle, having a discussion in a room with a blue wall. They have papers and notebooks in front of them, sitting on exercise balls and chairs.

    Who Should Get Trained

    At Nurture, our doula training goes beyond the basics, shaping skilled professionals who contribute to positive and empowering birthing experiences through effective communication, support, and advocacy.

    Doula trainings are for:

    Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Nurses, NICU Nurses, Volunteer Organizations, Crisis Pregnancy Counselors, Childbirth Educators, Church Outreach Ministries, Public Health Staff, Chiropractors, Social Workers, Childlife Specialists, Massage Therapists, Lactation Counselors, Physical Therapists

  • A woman in a hospital bed holding a newborn baby, surrounded by four smiling adults in a hospital room.

    How Doulas work within the Healthcare System

    At Nurture, we recognize the crucial role of Labor Doulas as support professionals who play a pivotal role in the birthing outcome and experience. Labor Doulas trained at Nurture foster a collaborative approach with the healthcare system.

    In our comprehensive training, we focus on empowering Labor Doulas to enhance communication between birthing clients and the healthcare team. This includes informed decision-making, encouraging self-advocacy, and non-biased support.

    Additionally, our program emphasizes the importance of observational skills, childbirth and breastfeeding education, health equity training, and trauma-informed care.

  • A woman in a black dress is leaning forward on a bed, with her hands on the bed, as another woman kneels in front of her, holding her arm. The scene appears to be set in a cozy room.

    What are Clinical Limitations of CAPPA Labor Doulas

    Labor Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, perform clinical procedures, prescribe or administer treatment for medical conditions, make medical decisions for the birthing client, or direct families to act against medical advice.

    CAPPA does not train its certified professionals to prescribe, perform, or provide complementary/alternative therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta medicine, herbal treatments, etc.

    Those who are trained, certified, licensed, or a recipient of a degree in these therapies are required to present these services as separate from their role as a CAPPA certified professional.

  • Woman in hospital bed holding newborn baby, smiling, with woman beside her wearing a striped shirt, all inside a hospital room.

    What is a CAPPA Doula's Scope of Practice

    CAPPA doulas provide non-biased emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor/birth, and the immediate postpartum

    CAPPA doulas work closely with the birthing person and family as they explore their values & needs. They model, teach, and encourage effective communication and encourage informed decision making by providing information on birth options and resources

    CAPPA doulas provide non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation. We seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere.

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“As a certified doula with over 10 years of experience in training doulas, my greatest strengths lie in my unwavering commitment to cultivating well-rounded and highly skilled professionals in the field.

I prioritize the development of a strong foundation in prenatal, labor, and postpartum support, emphasizing the significance of empathy, communication, and cultural sensitivity. My approach extends beyond just getting certified, focusing on fostering a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and informational needs of expectant families. This commitment to excellence in doula training sets our trainings apart by equipping new doulas with the confidence and competence to navigate the diverse challenges of becoming a professional birth worker,”

- Erica Manto Paulson, CAPPA faculty doula trainer

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Two women in a room with educational materials on childbirth, including a poster, diagrams, and plush uterus models, with one woman lying on an exercise ball and the other holding a blanket.
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Hospital Doula Trainings

Are you a hospital administrator seeking to bring CAPPA Certified Hospital Labor Doula (CHLD) Trainings to your hospitals, clinics, and birth center staff?

Schedule a virtual meeting to create a Hospital Labor Doula Training at your clinic, hospital, or birth center.

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CAPPA Labor Doula Trainings are an 18 Hour Training Course with nursing CEUs available.

Doula Trainings

Explore the convenience of Ohio Labor Doula Trainings with flexible options tailored to your preferences. Our comprehensive training program is accessible in person and online, allowing you to learn from anywhere in the world or right here in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Five women sitting in a circle in a meeting room, engaged in conversation. They are sitting on large exercise balls and chairs, with notebooks and papers in front of them. The room has a light blue wall with paper signs spelling 'DULA' and 'LIA'.
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A group of women participating in a prenatal chiropractic workshop in a brightly lit room with large windows, sitting on exercise balls, engaging in discussions, with posters and decorations on the walls.

FAQs

  • Join one of our FREE doula intro classes. These classes are held virtually and they are a great way to gain information on doula trainings and the doula certification process including cost, how long it takes, and scholarship info.

    Register below to receive the zoom link.

  • CAPPA Course Requirements

    Be at least 18 years of age.

    Attend a CAPPA Labor Doula training workshop (ie. provided by Nurture)

    Read selected books from the CAPPA Labor Doula Required Reading List.

    Read the CAPPA Labor Doula Training Manual (received at training).

    Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.

    Become a Member of CAPPA.

    Enroll in the Labor Doula Traditional Course in CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.

    Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.

    Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Birth Booklet.

    Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.

    Attend a minimum of 3 labors/births as a doula. You will be required to obtain 3 total evaluations from parents and 6 total evaluations from healthcare providers. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.

    Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.

    Sign and agree to the following:

    Code of Conduct

    Social Media Policy

    Grievance Policy

    CAPPA Mission

    CAPPA Approach

    CAPPA Vision

    Scope of Practice

    Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

    Pass the essay exam. The essay exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

  • There aren't any laws requiring doulas to be certified, although in Ohio the Doula Bill is expected to pass this year, which will require certification.

    We believe that doulas, like any healthcare professional, absolutely should be certified and that certification should be current (not expired).

    The US does not regulate doulas and there is no state licensure for doulas. This means certification is not required. However, our clients and maternity healthcare providers (i.e. doctors, nurses, and midwives) view certification as a necessary aspect of education and experience as well as a sign of professionalism.

    It shows you are committed to your work when you certify. There are many doulas who try out birth by becoming trained but do not certify. Those who take the time to complete certification demonstrate professionalism and shows a level of accountability by aligning yourself with a professional certifying organization.

  • It is important to differentiate doula certification from doula training. They are not the same thing. Doula training is completed in 2-3 days. Doula certification involves course work, hands-on clinical skills evaluation, and additional classes like breastfeeding. Not every trained doula chooses to certify. Unfortunately, in some cases, doulas will work with clients without formal training or certification.

  • CAPPA recognizes and appreciates the fact that medical advancements and technologies are important tools when needed. CAPPA professionals are trained to dispel myths about pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding.

    Labor Doulas are skilled support persons who act as consultants and resources, not clinicians. They therefore work with the healthcare system by encouraging and promoting excellent communication between the birthing client and the health care team, encouraging informed decision making and self-advocacy, supporting the choices of the birthing client, providing non-clinical comfort techniques, and offering appropriate referrals when their observance or counseling uncovers situations that require healthcare attention or support. (Taken from the CAPPA website)

  • CAPPA Doula's Scope of Practice:

    ​Provide non-biased emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor and the birth process, and the immediate postpartum period

    Work closely with the birthing person and family as they explore their values and needs surrounding birth

    Encourage the birthing person to seek care and a place of birth that reflects their own values and needs

    Assist in the preparation of birth preferences to facilitate communication with the birth team

    Model, teach, and encourage effective communication

    Encourage informed decision making

    Provide information on birth options and resources

    Provide the client with non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation

    Seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere with the birth team

    Provide support to the birthing person’s support partner and/or family

    Support and assist initial breastfeeding

    Assist the family in processing their birth experience

    Answer general questions about newborn care and breastfeeding

    Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for prescription, or medical diagnosis

    Listen as the birthing person processes their birth experience

    Are required to present the following services as separate from the role of a CAPPA certified professional: Doulas who are trained, certified, licensed, or a recipient of a degree in alternative/complimentary therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta medicine, herbal treatments, etc.

  • Doula trainings are for:

    ​​Anyone interested in birth work

    Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Nurses

    NICU Nurses

    Volunteer Organizations

    Crisis Pregnancy Counselors

    Childbirth Educators

    Church Outreach Ministries

    Public Health Staff

    Chiropractors

    Social Workers

    Childlife Specialists

    Massage Therapists

    Lactation Counselors

  • Our CAPPA labor doula trainings are 2-day, 18 Hour Training Course with nursing CEUs available