Doula Exam Questions and
Answers 100% PASS
doula—ANSWER-- a woman who gives assistance or advice to a new or expectant mother,
either informally or professionally
- a woman (typically without formal obstetrical training) employed to provide guidance and
continuous support during labor
offer support that is...—ANSWER-- unconditional
- nonjudgmental
types of doulas—ANSWER-- labor and delivery
- prenatal
- postnatal/child and maternal care
- abortion doulas
- doulas in prisons, hospitals, volunteers
do NOT—ANSWER-- have an agenda
- do NOT work to encourage someone to have a natural or medical birth
- do NOT counsel people on medical decisions
,you are just holding space for them, you CAN make subtle suggestions, offer more
information, or answer questions.
first trimester abortion (suction)—ANSWER-- using suction to remove contents of uterus
- 15 minute procedure
- sedation of cervix, and also through IV
- pain varies from none to excruciating
- hand holding, smiling, distraction convos
first trimester abortion (medication)—ANSWER-- Mifepristone is taken at the doctor's office
- some nausea
- 6 to 72 hours later at home a second Mifepristone is taken bucally (dissolved in mouth) or
vaginally
- heavy bleeding and cramps 1 to 4 hours after second pill, may last several hours
- follow up appointment a week later
- doula can provoke abortion with herbs, or otherwise offer massage and heat therapy for
cramps and bleeding
second trimester abortion (D and E)—ANSWER-- dilation and evacuation
- quicker, no hospitalization and labor like induction method
- sometimes possible to see fetus after an intact D and E
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
, - osmotic dilators are short thin rods made of seaweed (laminaria) or synthetic Dilapan, they
expand, opening the cervix over time
- misoprostol, a prostaglandin that softens the cervix, can also be used for dilation
- stronger pain meds and sedation than just suction, often general anesthesia
- pregnancy (placental and fetal tissue) is removed with vacuum aspiration, forceps, and a
curette (spoon like scraper)
- cramps and tugging sensation will occur
second trimester abortion (induction)—ANSWER-- less common than D and E
- similar to labor and delivery, medications that cause the uterus to contract and expel the
pregnancy
- commonly, prostaglandin suppositories or misoprostol tablets are inserted into your vagina
every few hours, oxytocin (Pitocin) may be given through an IV line
- an injection into the abdomen may be given to ensure fetal demise
- often occurs in maternity ward
- sometimes necessary once the pregnancy has reached a point where D and E is no longer
an option
- often used by those terminating pregnancies they did not wish to terminate, so they can
say goodbye to their child
miscarriage—ANSWER-- many people have manual or vacuum aspirations and D and E to
deal with incomplete miscarriages
Answers 100% PASS
doula—ANSWER-- a woman who gives assistance or advice to a new or expectant mother,
either informally or professionally
- a woman (typically without formal obstetrical training) employed to provide guidance and
continuous support during labor
offer support that is...—ANSWER-- unconditional
- nonjudgmental
types of doulas—ANSWER-- labor and delivery
- prenatal
- postnatal/child and maternal care
- abortion doulas
- doulas in prisons, hospitals, volunteers
do NOT—ANSWER-- have an agenda
- do NOT work to encourage someone to have a natural or medical birth
- do NOT counsel people on medical decisions
,you are just holding space for them, you CAN make subtle suggestions, offer more
information, or answer questions.
first trimester abortion (suction)—ANSWER-- using suction to remove contents of uterus
- 15 minute procedure
- sedation of cervix, and also through IV
- pain varies from none to excruciating
- hand holding, smiling, distraction convos
first trimester abortion (medication)—ANSWER-- Mifepristone is taken at the doctor's office
- some nausea
- 6 to 72 hours later at home a second Mifepristone is taken bucally (dissolved in mouth) or
vaginally
- heavy bleeding and cramps 1 to 4 hours after second pill, may last several hours
- follow up appointment a week later
- doula can provoke abortion with herbs, or otherwise offer massage and heat therapy for
cramps and bleeding
second trimester abortion (D and E)—ANSWER-- dilation and evacuation
- quicker, no hospitalization and labor like induction method
- sometimes possible to see fetus after an intact D and E
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
, - osmotic dilators are short thin rods made of seaweed (laminaria) or synthetic Dilapan, they
expand, opening the cervix over time
- misoprostol, a prostaglandin that softens the cervix, can also be used for dilation
- stronger pain meds and sedation than just suction, often general anesthesia
- pregnancy (placental and fetal tissue) is removed with vacuum aspiration, forceps, and a
curette (spoon like scraper)
- cramps and tugging sensation will occur
second trimester abortion (induction)—ANSWER-- less common than D and E
- similar to labor and delivery, medications that cause the uterus to contract and expel the
pregnancy
- commonly, prostaglandin suppositories or misoprostol tablets are inserted into your vagina
every few hours, oxytocin (Pitocin) may be given through an IV line
- an injection into the abdomen may be given to ensure fetal demise
- often occurs in maternity ward
- sometimes necessary once the pregnancy has reached a point where D and E is no longer
an option
- often used by those terminating pregnancies they did not wish to terminate, so they can
say goodbye to their child
miscarriage—ANSWER-- many people have manual or vacuum aspirations and D and E to
deal with incomplete miscarriages
