Certificate II in Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Companionship

This course is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to develop basic skills and knowledge to offer non-medical, physical and emotional support including unbiased information without judgement, with a focus on cultural safety to women in marginalised communities. There is a strong focus on the companion offering continuity of care, walking alongside women and their families during pregnancy, birth and an extended postnatal period.

The companion will use a range of skills and knowledge to offer culturally appropriate basic physical, social and emotional support to the woman throughout pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period.

The companion engages with the mother and her partner (if required) during early pregnancy, providing ongoing emotional and social support. The companion has foundational knowledge in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period providing basic in-home, hands-on support to meet the challenges of pregnancy, labour and postnatal parenting. Hands on support could include escorting women to and from appointments, domestic assistance including cooking, cleaning and shopping.

Graduates will work alongside Doulas, Midwives, Doctors and other health professionals with an awareness of their own scope of practice and the Australian Doula College Code of Ethics and Conduct.