Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-835 - Birth doula
Section 246-835-020 - Approved birth doula educational programs
Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 246-835-020
Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) The secretary accepts any birth doula training program, or courses that collectively introduce students to the key principles of the following topics:
(a) Role of a birth doula: History of birth
work, scope of work, individual practice and skill set, when and how to refer
out;
(b) Prenatal and birth care:
Prenatal wellness and preparing for birth including, but not limited to,
nutrition, movement, mental health, spiritual wellness, relationship support,
education, and resources; physiology of labor and birth; comfort measures;
coping techniques and pain management; common medical terminology and
interventions; creating a birth plan;
(c) Postpartum care: Lactation and newborn
feeding techniques, newborn care, family integration and bonding, healing and
comfort measures, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, self and community
care, and grief;
(d) Communication
and interpersonal skills: Collaboration with birth team, emotional intelligence
and sensitivity, active listening, informed consent and decision making,
advocacy, accessible and affirming language; community support
networks;
(e) Doula safety and
self-care: Boundaries with clients, capacity and burn out, emotional wellness
practices such as mindfulness, meditation, reiki, and prayer, networking, and
community building; and
(f) Birth
justice and advocacy: LGBTQ+/gender inclusive care, black and indigenous
perinatal health crisis, medical racism and advocacy.
(2) Birth doula training programs meeting the criteria in subsection (1) of this section may apply for department approval. Programs that have applied for, and received approval, will be listed on the department's webpage.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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