Scope Of Practice and Student Handbook

Scope of Practice

Doulas are care professionals, not medical providers. CPDs provide emotional, physical, and educational support in the birth and postpartum years. Care is tailored to meet specific requests but does not include medical advice or performing medical procedures nor is it to act in place of a medical provider.

Certified Professional Doulas do not diagnose, treat, or intervene.

Allo Doula Academy requires that doulas working within this certification program follow this scope of practice along with the guidelines of the mission and vision statement of the company. 

Students will be trained in the following topics:

  • The anatomy and physiology of birth and recovery

  • Common interventions 

  • Comfort measures and advanced comfort measures for birth and postpartum

  • Feeding support

  • Appropriate communication with medical care providers and staff 

  • Appropriate communication with clients

  • Newborn care

  • Postpartum mood disorders

  • The postpartum family

  • Healing for the postpartum mother

  • Infant Sleep Guidance

  • Sibling support and transitions

  • Whole family care 

  • Bereavement and end-of-life support

  • Professionalism

  • Professional business practices

CPD Doulas Do: 

  • Provide hands-on support

  • Provide evidence-based educational resources

  • Provide emotional support

  • Respect all medical professionals

  • Help the care team when appropriate 

CPD Doulas Don’t:

  • Perform medical procedures

  • Give medical advice

  • Take the place of medical personnel

  • Diagnose, Treat, or Intervene

Scope of Certification

CPD doulas are credentialed by the National Doula Certification Board (NDCB), and students/candidates must apply for certification through their website: www.doulaboard.org, upon successful completion of the Certified Professional Doula (CPD) Training Course.