A Full-Spectrum Doula (sometimes also referred to as a Full-Spectrum Perinatal Doula) is a non-medical, professionally trained care worker that “services” the entire reproductive cycle, which covers preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period, including other events such as abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, surrogacy, and adoption, alongside community-based and LGBTQ+ issues.
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In fact, a Full-Spectrum Doula is able to take-up the specialized roles of a Fertility Doula, Birth Doula (also called Labor Doula), Postnatal Doula, Abortion, Stillbirth, and Miscarriage Doula (also called Loss Doula), and Adoption Doula. It means that a Full Spectrum Doula can offer truly holistic support by taking into account the whole cycle of reproductive experiences.
Apart from supporting people throughout their reproductive health experiences, Full-Spectrum Doulas frequently support clients with other needs. They often help navigate additional challenges, such as mental health issues, inappropriate or unstable housing, or food insecurity.
This is particularly true for Community Doulas because they usually come from the same communities as their clients and have a practical understanding of the issues involved, as well as an understanding of the community assets and other resources that they can use to successfully navigate them.
At any rate, hiring a Full-Spectrum Doula can be a real advantage for the client, who then only needs to deal with one Doula, being guided by this trusted person during the entire birthing journey, available for continuous physical, emotional, spiritual, and informational support and services needed during different stages of the reproductive cycle.
Although there is a notable increase in offerings of Full-Spectrum Doula certification programs, training is in fact a collection of individual experiences, courses, workshops, and specialized programs that finally cover all the areas such as mentioned above.
