Birth Doulas

Announcements

• Public Listening Session and Billing Instruction Presentation August 16, 2023
  
• Memo affecting Doulas and Doula Training Programs
  
• Submitting fee-for-service claims to receive the July 1, 2022 birth doula rate increase (04/2023)
  
• Register for RAC for Rule Change Meeting 410-130-0015 Doula Procedure Code Change HERE
  
• Doula Billing Guide
  
• Doula Billing Code Changes Zoom Meeting
• Doula Billing Code Changes Presentation
  
• OHP Doula Billing Changes effective July 1, 2024
  

• THW Birth Doula Certification and Recertification Requirements
• Resources for Completing State Certification
  
• Application and Approval Process
• Standards of Professional Conduct

Birth Doula Certification and Recertification Requirements

“Equivalent credit” means an individual has fulfilled the requirements by completing a comparable course or combination of courses through a nationally or internationally recognized doula certification organization. The childbirth education and labor/birth doula training courses taken should cover the core curriculum topics described below:

Birth Doula Certification Curriculum Standards

(1) All birth doulas seeking certification with the state shall complete a minimum of 40 contact hours that include the following:

(a) A minimum of 28 in-person contact hours addressing the core curricula topics set forth in section (2) of this rule through an Authority-approved training program for birth doulas or through another training program provided by a birth doula certification organization.*

(b) Six contact hours in cultural competency training; and 

(c) Six contact hours in one or more of the following topics as they relate to birth doula care:

(A) One hour of Inter-professional collaboration;

(B) One hour of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance; and

(C) Four hours of Trauma-informed care.

*A “Birth doula certification organization” means an entity nationally or internationally recognizedfor training and certifying birth doulas whose educational requirements includes the core curriculum topics described in these rules.

(2) All core curriculum for training birth doulas shall, at a minimum, introduce students to the key principles of the following topics:

(a) Anatomy and physiology of labor, birth, maternal postpartum, neonatal transition, and breastfeeding;

(b) Labor coping strategies, comfort measures and non-pharmacological techniques for pain management;

(c) The reasons for, procedures of, and risks and benefits of common medical interventions, medications, and Cesarean birth;

(d) Emotional and psychosocial support of women and their support team;

(e) Birth doula scope of practice, standards of practice, and basic ethical principles;

(f) The role of the doula with members of the birth team;

(g) Communication skills, including active listening, cross-cultural communication, and inter-professional communication;

(h) Self-advocacy and empowerment techniques;

(i) Breastfeeding support measures;

(j) Postpartum support measures for the mother and baby relationship;

(k) Perinatal mental health;

(l) Family adjustment and dynamics;

(m) Evidence-informed educational and informational strategies;

(n) Community resource referrals;

(o) Professional conduct, including relationship boundaries and maintaining confidentiality; and

(p) Self-care.

Oregon training requirements are comprehensive and require in-person training because of the need for a highly competent and skilled workforce to serve the greater needs and diversity of the Medicaid recipient populations. Midwifery education, nursing training, or online childbirth and doula training courses are not accepted as substitutions for in-person doula training.

• Complete an Oregon Health Authority approved oral health training;
• Be CPR-certified for children and adults;
• Create a community resource list on an Authority-approved form;
• Document attendance at a minimum of three births and three postpartum visits using an Authority-approved form;
• Complete all application requirements to be in the state registry;
• Complete the Authority certification process; and
• Be successfully accepted into the state registry.
  

Resources for completing State Doula Certification 

To meet the minimum 28 in-person training hours:

(1)Find a list of OHA-Approved Doula Trainings. Type "Birth Doula Training" in the search bar. 

OR

(2) Exercise the Legacy Clause by providing the verifiable evidence of attending 10 live births and providing 500 hours of community work supporting birthing persons and families in the capacity of a birth doula.

In addition to these requirements:

At Least Six (6) Contact Hours of Cultural Competency

To demonstrate completion, please submit a certificate of attendance, copy of transcript of letter from the instructor of organization showing your successful completion of these courses.

At Least One (1) Contact Hour of Inter-Professional Collaboration

PDX Doulas offers the Collaborative Practice course in the Portland Metro area. Other such courses should clearly indicate that the topics covered relate to communication and professionalism when working with other health care team members. It is a good idea to submit a brief topic outline along with the certificate of attendance. Courses can be taken through local hospitals or clinics or in online courses.

At Least One (1) Contact Hour of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

At Least Four (4) Contact Hours of Trauma-Informed Care