Mixed Deck — All Doula Certification Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real Doula Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All Doula Certification Topics flashcards as text
What should a doula do if she observes signs of postpartum depression in a client?
Answer: Gently share observations and encourage the client to contact their healthcare provider
A doula should compassionately share observations, provide information about postpartum mood disorders, and strongly encourage the client to consult their healthcare provider.
Which massage technique involves slow, gliding strokes along the length of the back?
Answer: Effleurage
Effleurage consists of slow, gliding strokes that promote relaxation and pain relief and is one of the most commonly used massage techniques during labor.
What is a birth plan?
Answer: A document outlining a client's preferences for labor and birth
A birth plan is a written document outlining a client's preferences and priorities for their labor, birth, and immediate postpartum period.
What is the purpose of visualization techniques in labor support?
Answer: To promote relaxation and mental focus during contractions
Visualization guides clients to imagine calming scenes or their body opening, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation during labor.
What is visualization or guided imagery primarily used for during labor?
Answer: To reduce pain perception by creating a positive mental focus
Guided imagery helps laboring people focus on calming mental images, which activates the relaxation response and reduces pain perception.
The rebozo technique is a traditional practice originating from which country?
Answer: Mexico
The rebozo is a traditional Mexican shawl used by midwives and doulas to provide support, comfort, and repositioning during labor.
What is vicarious trauma in doula work?
Answer: Emotional and psychological impact from witnessing clients' traumatic birth experiences
Vicarious trauma is the emotional and psychological impact doulas may experience from repeated exposure to their clients' traumatic birth experiences.
What does the APGAR score assess in newborns?
Answer: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration
The APGAR score evaluates newborn health at 1 and 5 minutes using five criteria: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.
What is the typical newborn weight loss expected in the first week?
Answer: Up to 7-10% of birth weight
Newborns typically lose up to 7-10% of their birth weight in the first few days as excess fluid is shed and feeding establishes.
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) during labor involves:
Answer: Systematically tensing then releasing muscle groups to achieve relaxation
PMR involves deliberately tensing then releasing muscle groups throughout the body, teaching recognition of tension and helping achieve deep relaxation between contractions.
What is 'laboring down' during the second stage?
Answer: Allowing passive fetal descent before active pushing begins
Laboring down allows the baby to descend passively with contractions before active pushing begins, reducing maternal exhaustion.
What is the 'cascade of interventions' in obstetrics?
Answer: One obstetric intervention leading to the need for additional interventions
The cascade of interventions describes how one obstetric intervention (like Pitocin augmentation) can lead to a chain of additional interventions (epidural, then cesarean).
What is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)?
Answer: A validated screening questionnaire for postpartum depression
The EPDS is a 10-item validated questionnaire used to screen new parents for postpartum depression symptoms.
The 'gate control theory' of pain explains how non-pharmacological comfort measures work by:
Answer: Blocking pain signals through competing sensory stimulation
The gate control theory proposes that non-painful stimuli such as touch, heat, or TENS can close neural 'gates' that transmit pain signals to the brain.
What is the 'bloody show' during labor?
Answer: Pink or red-tinged mucus discharge as the cervix dilates
Bloody show is the passage of the mucus plug mixed with blood as the cervix begins to dilate and efface.
What is the let-down reflex in breastfeeding?
Answer: The release of milk from the alveoli into the milk ducts triggered by oxytocin
The let-down (milk ejection) reflex is triggered by oxytocin release, causing milk to flow from the alveoli through the ducts to the nipple.
How should an umbilical cord stump be cared for?
Answer: Keep it clean and dry, exposed to air
The umbilical cord stump should be kept clean and dry, exposed to air, and allowed to naturally dry and fall off within 1-3 weeks.
Which aromatherapy scent is commonly used during labor for its calming properties?
Answer: Lavender
Lavender essential oil is widely used in labor support for its calming and anxiety-reducing properties.
What is the primary role of a birth doula during labor?
Answer: Provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support
A birth doula's primary role is to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person and their partner.
What is colostrum?
Answer: The first milk produced, rich in antibodies and immune factors
Colostrum is the thick, yellowish first milk produced during late pregnancy and the first days postpartum, packed with immunoglobulins and nutrients.