Professional Standards and Scope of Practice

Newmom.me Academy

At Newmom.me Academy, our certified providers are held to the highest standards of professional conduct, cultural humility, and client-centered care. The following Professional Standards and Scope of Practice define the ethical foundation, core responsibilities, and practice boundaries for all students and graduates of our certification programs.

1. Client-Centered, Non-Clinical Support

Newmom.me-certified doulas, newborn care specialists, and maternal wellness providers:

  • Offer emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth.
  • Do not provide clinical, diagnostic, or medical care (e.g., cervical checks, prescribing medication, or diagnosing conditions).
  • Encourage clients to make informed choices and respect their bodily autonomy and cultural values at all times.

2. Evidence-Based Practice

  • All support and guidance must align with current, evidence-based standards, including those from organizations such as ACOG, AAP, CDC, WHO, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
  • Providers commit to ongoing learning to stay current with best practices in maternal and newborn care.

3. Scope of Services

Depending on their training track, certified professionals may:

  • Support clients through pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, lactation, infant care, and parental adjustment.
  • Assist with routine newborn care, sleep routines, feeding support, and family education.
  • Provide comfort measures, positioning support, and informed decision-making tools during birth (e.g., the BRAIN framework).
  • Refer clients to qualified medical or mental health professionals when issues arise that fall outside their scope.

4. Professionalism and Ethics

Newmom.me graduates are expected to:

  • Maintain confidentiality and uphold privacy in alignment with HIPAA principles.
  • Communicate honestly and respectfully with clients, families, and care teams.
  • Refrain from offering personal bias or judgment, especially around birth choices, feeding preferences, family structure, or cultural practices.
  • Operate with integrity, compassion, and accountability in all interactions.

5. Cultural Competency and Inclusion

  • Providers must actively foster inclusive, affirming care for clients of all identities, including LGBTQIA+ families, BIPOC communities, teen parents, adoptive families, and individuals with disabilities.
  • Commit to anti-racist, trauma-informed, and reproductive justice-aligned practices.

6. Collaboration and Referrals

  • Work collaboratively with medical providers, lactation consultants, mental health professionals, and community resources as needed.
  • Know when to refer out and honor the limits of one's training and expertise.

7. Business Ethics

  • Represent your training and certification truthfully and transparently.
  • Clearly communicate fees, services, availability, and scope of practice to clients.
  • Abide by local laws, insurance regulations, and client agreements or contracts.