There is no requirement for a doula certification in Iowa; both certified and uncertified doulas are allowed to work in the state.  Furthermore, there is no requirement for a college degree. Although a certification is strictly voluntary, many women will pursue one in order to further their careers.

The following is a list of educational classes and workshops available in the state of Iowa which can count as your doula training.  Please read the details carefully to determine whether the courses offered are a required part of a certificate-granting program such as DONA, CAPPA, or ICEA (an organization similar to Lamaze for certifying birth professionals).

Doula Training in Des Moines, IA

Organization Name:  Powerful Mamas
Website:http://www.powerfulmamas.com
Instructor:  Jacquelyn Duke, CLD, CCCE
Email:  Jacquelyn@PowerfulMamas.com
Phone:  515-240-7483

Course and Workshop Details 

This is a 2 day labor doula training workshop  which is required for CAPPA certification.  This workshop is offered on July 14-15, 2017 from 8:15 am to 7:00 pm both days.

Costs and Fees

Labor doula training workshop – $450 with a $99 deposit.  Save $50 if you pay in full.

Registration Details

To register, pay online, and learn about discounts, click here.

Organization Name:  Mercy Des Moines
Website:www.mercydesmoines.org
Email:  thatcher@mercydesmoines.org
Phone:  515-358-5060

Course and Workshop Details and Requirements

There are 3 unique workshops which can be used as part of your doula training:

• 2 day Birth Doula training workshop affiliated with the International Childbirth Education Association and fulfills the doula workshop requirement for certification from ICEA.  This course will add 19.2 nursing continuing education units (CEU) for nurses.
• 2 day Professional Childbirth Educator training workshop affiliated with the ICEA and fulfills the childbirth educator workshop requirement for certification from ICEA.  This course will add 1.92 nursing continuing education units (CEU) for nurses.
• 1 day Non-pharmacological Comfort Measures for Birth workshop.  This course will add .46 nursing continuing education units (CEU) for nurses.

Course and Workshop Topics
The birth doula training workshop will cover the following topics:

• Identify the roles of a doula
• Learn how to develop a birth plan according to the needs of your client
• Discuss the emotional and developmental aspects of pregnancy and birth
• Identify the emotional and physiological process of labor and birth
• Identify the sources of pain and the stages of labor
• Learn how to correctly apply comfort measures for the mother
• Describe the risks, benefits, and alternatives associated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief
• Discuss the supportive role of a doula during a cesarean or VBAC 
• Demonstrate techniques to initiate and increase the chances of breastfeeding

The childbirth educator training workshop will cover the following topics:

• Identify the roles of a childbirth educator
• Discuss how to facilitate decision-making skills
• Learn how to engage in group learning, different teaching methods/strategies, and the supportive usage of props
• Discuss comfort techniques such as breathing exercises, massages, and positioning during labor and birth
• Identify the various benefits of breastfeeding and methods for breastfeeding initiation
• List different forms of pain relief and appropriate applications
• Differentiate between postpartum blues and postpartum depression

The Non-pharmacological comfort measures for birth workshop will cover the following topics:

• Discuss an idea birth environment and birth experience for your client
• Identify the physical and emotional process of labor
• Learn different non-pharmacological comfort measures for both labor and birth
• Describe the long term impact of the birth experience for the new mother and identify factors can influence that experience

Costs and Fees

• The Birth Doula training workshop is $350 for normal registration or $299 for early registration.
• The Professional Childbirth Educator training workshop is $400 with an early birth special of $360
• The Non-pharmacological Comfort Measures for Birth workshop is $50.

Registration Details

• The 2 day Birth Doula training workshop will be held Feb 8-9, June 7-8, and Nov 15-16, 2017
• The 2 day Professional Childbirth Educator training workshop will be held Feb 6-7, June 5-6, and Nov 13-14, 2017
• The 1 day Non-pharmacological Comfort Measures for Birth workshop will be Feb 10, June 9, Nov 17, 2017

To register online for the workshops, click here.

Organization Name:  Powerful Mamas
Website: http://www.powerfulmamas.com/
Email:  Jacquelyn@PowerfulMamas.com
Phone:  515-240-7483

Course and Workshop Details and Requirements

• 2 day birth doula training workshop (required for CAPPA certification)

Course and Workshop Topics
As part of your doula training, these courses will cover the following:

• Develop critical thinking skills necessary for decision making
• Engage in prenatal and postnatal consultations with the client
• Identify methods to initiate breastfeeding
• Discuss the scope of a doula’s practice
• Learn how to market yourself as a doula
• Discuss the certification process

Costs and Fees

2 day, birth doula training workshop – $475
$99 deposit required
There is a discount of $50 if you pay in full at registration
There is another discount of $25 for each student you refer to the class
Registration Details

Register online by clicking here.