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Childbirth

and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), founded

in 1998, is a membership and certifying organization that

offers training of childbirth educators, postpartum

doulas, and labor doulas.

CAPPA

instructs its training attendees to inform parents of the

labor process, the advantages and disadvantages of many

interventions, and how to work with the healthcare team

to achieve the best possible birth experience. It also

instructs its childbirth educators and doulas to

recognize tension versus relaxation, how to relieve the

tension, and pain relieving techniques.

The word

doula comes from the Greek word for servant and refers to

a woman who provides continuous support, comfort, and

information to an expecting woman before, during, and

immediately following the birth. Fathers present in labor

appreciate the comfort, guidance, and security a doula

provides.

In this day

and age, when patients are many and nurses are few,

having the continuous support of a doula present during

labor and birth can help to strengthen a bond between the

new family and strengthen the women's confidence in being

a mother. "It is not our place as educators to mold

parents into our birthing philosophy, but to give them

the education necessary to build a sound philosophy of

their own," stated Heather Thomas, RN, CCCE, CLD,

the Michigan State Representative for CAPPA.

Regardless

of a woman's age, she likely can recall every last detail

of birthing her child or children, and unfortunately most

women do not have a wonderful memorable experience.

Helping women achieve the birth they desire, thus

improving their memories and joys of birth, through

accurate and complete information is the CAPPA

philosophy.