Specialty/Advanced Courses

CAPPA is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators, and Lactation Educators. Since our foundation in 1998, we have certified thousands of perinatal professionals. As one of the first and most comprehensive perinatal organizations in the world, CAPPA is respected for its longevity and its commitment to excellence in both education and unsurpassed student and member support. Choosing an organization for your education is an important decision. CAPPA offers stability that you can be confident in as you invest in your education and career.

Training Options

Scope of Practice

CAPPA Academy

CAPPA Academy is the state-of-the-art online portion of your Traditional or Dual/Transfer Course. You will be personally guided by the Course Director as you complete each element within CAPPA Academy.

Pregnancy Fitness Scope of Practice

A pregnancy fitness educator educates pregnant and postpartum women on safe exercises. During pregnancy, exercises are always started in consultation with the client’s doctor. The client fills in registration forms in order to keep the educator informed of any changes in her pregnancy condition so that the routine may be suitably modified. As a rule most exercises which do not involve holding breath, lying on the back for extended periods, impact or contact routines are considered safe for a woman who has a normal pregnancy. A pregnant woman is also instructed to perform a routine as per her own capacity and stamina. A pregnancy fitness educator will not work with a woman who is categorized as a high risk pregnancy or is at risk of preterm labor. In the postpartum period, exercise routines are started after receiving a release from the attending physician. Under normal circumstances, a full routine can be started at six weeks after a vaginal birth and at three months after a cesarean section. Medical advice is not given, although referrals to appropriate studies and publications are within the educator’s abilities.

Description of the Certified Labor Doula and Certified Hospital Labor Doula:

CAPPA Labor Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing woman and her family before, during, and after birth.  CAPPA Hospital Labor Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing woman and her family during the birth process.

How Labor Doulas work with families

The Labor Doula works with families during pregnancy, during labor and in the birth process, and in the immediate postpartum time, offering support, encouragement, information, comfort, and referrals as needed.  Labor Doulas can be found working in the community in private practice, in cooperatives, as part of groups or agencies, as well as serving in various community programs.

The Hospital Labor Doula works with families during labor and in the birth process, offering support, encouragement, information, and comfort.  Hospital Labor Doulas can be found working on staff in hospital doula programs and other health care facilities.

How Labor Doulas work within the healthcare system

Labor Doulas are skilled support persons who act as consultants and resources, not clinicians. They therefore work with the health care system by encouraging and promoting excellent communication between the birthing woman and the health care team, encouraging informed decision making and self-advocacy, supporting the choices of the birthing woman, providing non-clinical comfort techniques, and offering appropriate referrals when their observance or counseling uncovers situations that require healthcare attention or support. Labor Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe or administer treatment for medical conditions, make medical decisions for the birthing woman, or direct families to act against medical advice.

Clinical Limitations of Labor Doulas

CAPPA Labor Doulas are non-clinical professionals.  CAPPA Labor Doula courses do not qualify a professional to act as a midwife or midwifery assistant, as any alternative medicine provider, or as any medical care provider.  CAPPA Labor Doulas do not dispense medical advice, diagnose medical conditions, interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results, or prescribe/administer medications or treatments of any kind.

CAPPA Standards

CAPPA Labor Doulas/Hospital Labor Doulas work within the organization’s standards for practice. They uphold the following standard (available to read as individual documents): code of conduct, a grievance policy, mission statement, vision statement, organization philosophy, and social media policy. Labor Doulas/Hospital Labor Doulas use current evidence knowledge to inform their practice. They maintain their knowledge and skills through continuing education. They work within the legal framework of their individual community and region.

What CAPPA Certified Hospital Labor Doulas do:

  • Provide emotional, physical, and informational support during labor and the birth process.
  • Models and teaches effective communication
  • Encourages informed decision making
  • Provides information on birth options and resources
  • Provides the woman with non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation.
  • Seeks to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere with the birth team.
  • Provides support to the birthing woman’s partner or family
  • Supports and assists initial breastfeeding

PREGNANCY FITNESS COURSE (CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE IN INDIA)

Online Distance Learning Course

This course is designed for students who are unable to take the in-person training class.

Course Requirements

  • 2 years to complete your course once you enroll.
  • CAPPA certification candidates must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be a member of CAPPA.
  • Enroll in the Online Distance Learning Course.
  • Read the CAPPA Pregnancy Fitness training manual and the required books from the CAPPA required reading list.
  • Observe a breastfeeding class designed for parents instructed by an IBCLC, CLC, or CLE with proof of attendance. This breastfeeding class must be a minimum of 2 hours. If you are unable to attend a class that qualifies, you may do the online option.
  • Observe a childbirth education class designed for parents at least 10 hours in length. The class must be taught by a childbirth educator currently certified by CAPPA, Lamaze, or ICEA. If you are unable to attend a class that qualifies, you may do the online option.
  • Attend a local nutrition counseling session. Details are provided within your certification packet.
  • Conduct 10 Pregnancy Fitness Classes, private or group, at least one hour in length. Details are provided within your certification packet.
  • Submit class outline and curriculum, including all handouts.
  • In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the following forms: Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy, Grievance Policy, Mission Statement, CAPPA Approach / Philosophy Statement, Vision Statement, and Scope of Practice.
  • Pass the multiple choice exam and essays. An 85% passing grade is required.
  • Please view all of CAPPA’s Policies and Procedures.

CAPPA Certified Hospital Labor Doula Program

Is your hospital looking for ways to reduce your cesarean rate?  Increase patient satisfaction? Improve outcomes for mothers and babies?

The CHLD training program is designed to train and certify professionals in the varied skills of professional labor support, skills that have been proven by over two decades of research to reduce cesareans, improve outcomes for mothers and babies, and increase patient satisfaction.

Have you been considering starting a labor doula program at your hospital?  The CHLD program will train your doulas so that your program delivers the consistent, high quality results you're looking for.

Not ready to create a doula program?  The CHLD program will train your L&D nurses to provide labor support that will help your facility toward its goals.

CAPPA is the leader in certifying perinatal professionals, and has been recognized by and partnered with ACOG and ACNM on quality improvement initiatives and projects.

Bring a CAPPA training to your hospital!

  • Membership fee: $75.00
  • CAPPA Academy: $175.00
  • Training class fee: $350.00 and up
  • Total cost: $575.00 and up, plus cost of books

Course Requirements

  • 1 year to complete your course once you enroll.
  • CAPPA certification candidates must be at least 18 years of age. No person under 18 years of age may attend CAPPA training classes.
  • Be a member of CAPPA.
  • Enroll in the Hospital Labor Doula Course in CAPPA Academy.
  • Attend a CAPPA Hospital Labor Doula training class.
  • Read the CAPPA Hospital Labor Doula training manual and the required books from the CAPPA required reading list.
  • Attend a breastfeeding class. The class must be taught at or approved by your hospital. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy. If you are unable to attend a class that qualifies, you may do the online option.
  • Attend a childbirth education class. The class must be taught at or approved by your hospital. If you are unable to attend a class that qualifies, you may do the online option.
  • Attend a minimum of three labors/births as a doula. You’ll be required to obtain evaluations from parents and healthcare providers. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.
  • Provide and document a minimum of 120 hours of labor/birth support at your hospital.
  • Create a resource list with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is included within CAPPA Academy.
  • In order for candidates to be eligible for CAPPA certification they must sign and agree to the following forms: Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy, Grievance Policy, Mission Statement, CAPPA Approach / Philosophy Statement, Vision Statement, and Scope of Practice.
  • Pass the multiple choice exam and essays in CAPPA Academy. An 85% passing grade is required.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Attending a CAPPA Hospital Labor Doula training does not guarantee employment with a hospital.
  • Please view all of CAPPA’s Policies and Procedures.

Upcoming Training

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