The different types of doulas.

There are a few types of doulas: birth doulas, postpartum doulas, antepartum/antenatal, full-spectrum doulas, and bereavement doulas. 

Antenatal doulas:

An antenatal doula is a person hired for the specific reason to educate and inform clients about their birthing options, pregnancy health (encouraging each client always to discuss; any advice given with their primary caregiver.) while building a personalized birth plan. Some antenatal doulas assist in backing the birth/hospital bags as well as getting everything ready before the baby arrives.

Birth doulas:

Birth doulas are hired to attend a birth as a client's companion. Birth doulas assist in natural pain-relieving techniques, breathing through contractions, encouraging optimal birthing positions, moving with clients and helping them to squat/climb stairs, keeping mothers hydrated and focused. The purpose of a birth doula is to hold space and to promote oxytocin flow naturally, while honoring the birth plan and upholding great respect for the primary caregiver, accepting their knowledge and suggestions as facts.

Postpartum doulas:

Postpartum doulas assist in the following:

• Basic household choirs
• Breastfeeding/lactating/feeding in general assistance
• Meal prep
• Healing of clients body
• Belly binding
• Bathing baby/hydrotherapy
• More

Full-spectrum doula:

A full-spectrum doula is an antenatal, birth, bereavement doula and postpartum doula combined into one.

Bereavement doula:

Bereavement doulas also called death doulas, help women navigate stillbirth and miscarriage with grief support and funeral arrangements.

To become a bereavement doula will have to complete a different course (will be listed in the main course).

After your training and certification, you will be a birth and postpartum doula.