April 11, 2024
Updated April 18, 2025
15 minute read
A Career Guide to Becoming a Doula
A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals and families through significant health-related experiences. While most commonly associated with childbirth, the scope of doula work is expanding. This role centers on empowering clients, helping them feel safe, comfortable, and heard during pivotal life moments.
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Find a path to becoming a Doula. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/osrvp5/doul
Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Doula.
Considered a classic and authoritative medical textbook in neonatology, this book provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the diseases and conditions affecting newborns. It is an essential reference tool and commonly used textbook for graduate students, residents, fellows, and practicing neonatologists and pediatricians. is crucial for those seeking a deep, medical understanding of newborn health challenges.
This comprehensive guide provides expectant mothers with up-to-date information on all aspects of childbirth, from prenatal care to labor and delivery. It is written by two experienced obstetricians who have delivered thousands of babies.
This comprehensive guide provides a wealth of information on all aspects of breastfeeding, from the basics of latching and positioning to troubleshooting common challenges. It is an excellent resource for both new and experienced mothers.
This widely used manual practical and comprehensive guide to the medical management of conditions in the newborn, particularly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It serves as a key reference and learning tool for medical students, residents, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatologists. Its concise format and focus on clinical practice make it invaluable for solidifying understanding in a professional setting.
Another major comprehensive textbook in neonatology, this resource delves into the pathophysiology and management of newborn conditions. It critical text for graduate-level students and medical professionals specializing in newborn care, offering detailed explanations to deepen understanding of complex medical issues. core reference for academic study and clinical practice in neonatal medicine.
This specialized text focuses on the unique challenges and management of high-risk newborns, such as premature or critically ill infants. It is an essential resource for graduate students and professionals working in NICUs or with vulnerable infant populations, providing in-depth knowledge to deepen understanding of complex care needs. is valuable for those seeking to specialize in or gain advanced knowledge of intensive newborn care.
Continuing the PCEP series, this volume delves into more specialized aspects of newborn care, suitable for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise. It covers advanced topics and complex conditions encountered in neonatal intensive care. is an important reference and learning resource for experienced neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners, and other specialists, providing in-depth knowledge for managing high-acuity patients.
This highly popular book focuses on a specific, yet critical, aspect of newborn care: soothing crying and promoting sleep using the '5 S's' technique. It provides practical, actionable advice that can immediately solidify a parent's ability to comfort their newborn. While narrow in scope compared to comprehensive guides, its depth in this key area makes it a must-read for new parents and a useful reference for anyone working with infants.
Widely popular and comprehensive guide covering the first year of a baby's life, with significant focus on the newborn period. It provides practical advice on care, feeding, sleep, and developmental milestones, making it highly relevant for gaining a broad understanding. While not a textbook, it's an excellent resource for new parents and can provide foundational knowledge for high school and undergraduate students exploring the topic.
This practical guide provides answers to common questions and concerns about breastfeeding. It is an excellent resource for mothers who are looking for evidence-based information and support.
Part of a structured learning program for healthcare professionals, this book focuses on neonatal care, covering assessment, initial management of common illnesses, and specific topics like neonatal abstinence syndrome. It's designed to solidify practical skills and knowledge for those providing direct care to newborns, serving as a valuable reference and educational tool for students and professionals in nursing, respiratory therapy, and other allied health fields.
Authored by an economist, this book takes a data-driven approach to common parenting questions, including many relevant to newborn care like breastfeeding, sleep training, and vaccinations. It challenges conventional wisdom by examining the evidence, offering a contemporary perspective valuable for parents and students interested in understanding the data behind recommendations. It's an excellent resource for critical thinking about newborn care practices.
This user-friendly guide provides clear and concise instructions on how to breastfeed successfully. It is an excellent resource for first-time mothers who are looking for a step-by-step approach to breastfeeding.
This guide is specifically tailored for midwives and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of both mothers and newborns. It integrates maternal and neonatal health, providing a holistic perspective on care during the perinatal period. It serves as a valuable resource for students and practitioners in midwifery, nursing, and public health, offering a comprehensive overview of care practices from birth through the early postnatal period.
A comprehensive guide from well-known parenting experts, this book covers a wide range of topics related to infant care and development, with a significant portion dedicated to the newborn stage. It is popular among parents interested in attachment parenting principles and provides detailed information that can deepen understanding of infant cues and needs. While not a formal textbook, it's a valuable resource for parents and can offer a different perspective for students.
While not solely focused on newborns, this book provides a scientific foundation in behavioral epigenetics, explaining how early environmental factors, including caregiving, can influence gene expression and long-term development. It offers a deeper, contemporary understanding of the biological significance of early newborn experiences, making it highly relevant for graduate students and professionals in pediatrics, psychology, and neuroscience.
This popular book focuses on the mental developmental leaps that infants go through, including several in the newborn period. It helps parents understand and anticipate changes in their baby's behavior, providing practical strategies for navigating fussy periods. It offers valuable insights into infant development that can deepen understanding for parents and be supplementary reading for students of child development.
Published by the AAP, this book is specifically written for parents of infants in the NICU. It explains complex medical conditions and procedures in accessible language, empowering parents to understand their baby's care. While aimed at a parent audience, it provides valuable insight into the NICU environment and the challenges faced by vulnerable newborns, offering relevant context for students and professionals interacting with these families.
Provides a comprehensive overview of pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period. It is written by three experienced childbirth educators who have helped thousands of families prepare for the birth of their children.
This empowering book provides strategies and support for mothers who are facing challenges with breastfeeding. It is an excellent resource for mothers who are looking to overcome obstacles and achieve their breastfeeding goals.
A foundational book on infant and child sleep, this resource provides methods and guidance for establishing healthy sleep habits. While covering a broader age range, it includes significant information relevant to newborn sleep patterns and challenges. It's a classic in its field and a valuable reference for parents and professionals seeking to understand and address infant sleep issues, a common concern in newborn care.
Addresses the complex and often controversial topic of childhood vaccinations, which begins in the newborn period. It provides detailed information on individual vaccines, diseases, and potential risks, allowing parents and students to gain a deeper understanding of this contemporary issue in newborn health. It valuable resource for exploring different perspectives and the science behind vaccination decisions.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of obstetrics, including normal and problem pregnancies. It is written by a leading obstetrician who has over 40 years of experience in the field.
Explores the psychological and emotional transition to parenthood, beginning with the arrival of a newborn. It delves into the identity shifts and challenges new parents face, offering insights and strategies for navigating this transformative period. It provides a valuable psychological dimension to understanding the context of newborn care, relevant for parents and professionals in mental health or family support.
Offers a cultural comparison of parenting styles, including approaches to newborn care, by an American mother raising children in France. It provides an interesting perspective on different philosophies regarding infant sleep, feeding, and independence. While not a how-to guide, it broadens the understanding of newborn care by presenting alternative cultural norms, suitable for general readers and students of sociology or child development.
Provides a practical guide to childbirth education for expectant parents. It covers a wide range of topics, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
Provides a mind and body program for expectant mothers to help them prepare for a safe and joyful birth. It includes mindfulness exercises, meditation practices, and yoga sequences.
This comprehensive book provides a scientific foundation for breastfeeding practices. It is an excellent resource for healthcare professionals who are seeking an in-depth understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of breastfeeding.
This handbook provides instructions and guidance on practicing infant massage, a technique that can promote bonding, relaxation, and potentially alleviate common newborn discomforts. It focuses on a specific, hands-on aspect of newborn care, offering practical skills for parents and a useful complementary therapy for professionals to understand. It solidifies understanding of non-verbal communication and comfort techniques with infants.
Provides a guide to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for expectant mothers. It covers the risks and benefits of VBAC, as well as how to find a supportive care provider.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of breastfeeding and human lactation. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers who are studying breastfeeding.
This comprehensive textbook provides a multidisciplinary approach to lactation management. It is an excellent resource for healthcare professionals who are working in the field of breastfeeding.
Provides a guide to ectopic pregnancy for patients. It covers the risks and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, as well as how to diagnose and treat it.
Provides a guide to maternity nursing for nurses and midwives. It covers a wide range of topics, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/osrvp5/doul
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