Certification Requirements

  1. Attend the Mama Bamba training course.
  2. Previous experience and training is not a prerequisite for attending the course, however a passionate interest in supporting positives births for all women is.
  3. Read The Mama Bamba Way: The power and pleasure of natural childbirth by Robyn Sheldon prior to the course.
  4. Certification must be completed within three (3) years of attending the birth doula workshop.
  5. Provide doula service to a minimum of four clients.
  6. The births documented must meet the following criteria:
    1. They occur after you attend day 4 (or completed Module 2) of the Mama Bamba workshop.
    2. Labor support must begin before or at the onset of the active phase of labor. For certification purposes, active labor will be considered 4 centimeters.
    3. Only one of these four births may be a cesarean section.
    4. A minimum of two certification births need to be with clients whom you have formed a prenatal relationship with and supported from at least 36 weeks in their pregnancy.
    5. The births combined must have the doula present for a minimum of 24 hours total (min 6hrs per birth)
    6. Your presence as the birth doula must be continuous.
    7. You must remain for the birth of the baby to provide immediate postpartum support. When possible stay for 2hrs post partum.
  7. Document the four births for which you provide labor support with:
    1. Mama Bamba Summary of Labor and Birth (pdf)
    2. A 500-700 word account of each birth
    3. Client Confidentiality Release Form (pdf)
    4. Provide good Evaluations (pdf) of your doula services from the client and the primary care provider
  8. Proof of completion of lactation consultant, breastfeeding peer counselor or community breastfeeding educator training done with an IBCLC trainer OR Proof of completion of an online study program. Lactation Education Resources offers a basic, “Complete Self-Learning Program” that is affordably priced.
  9. An essay on the value and purpose of labor support (500-1000 words).
  10. A complete resource list for clients. Add to the list on Dropbox with relevant practitioners or resources if in Cape town or Gauteng. If you live elsewhere ask for the raw list of categories and fill them in for your area. Only add people who you know to be amazing!
  11. Complete the required reading.
  12. Students training through our online course will need to complete the course checklist and submit all required course assignments.
  13. Maintain your affiliation with Mama Bamba by paying your annual membership fees. Fees are due in March each year and will be invoiced pro-rata after completion of training days.
  14. On submission of above-mentioned documents for certification a R750 certification fee will be payable.
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