This lesson introduces how nutritional needs shift before conception, throughout pregnancy, and into postpartum recovery. You’ll explore why preconception nutrition matters for fertility, hormone balance, and nutrient stores—even when clients don’t identify as “preconception.” We’ll connect early nourishment to pregnancy and postpartum outcomes and show you how to support clients at each stage in a practical, scope-appropriate way without overwhelm.

Clients are often confused by outdated advice, headlines, and social media trends. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to evaluate nutrition research, recognize high-quality evidence, and understand why guidelines sometimes lag behind current findings. More importantly, you’ll practice translating research into clear, realistic guidance clients can actually use. This helps you speak with confidence while staying evidence-informed and ethical.

This lesson clarifies what perinatal nutrition coaches can and cannot do within a non-clinical scope of practice. You’ll learn how to provide meaningful, evidence-informed support without diagnosing conditions, prescribing supplements, or replacing medical care. We’ll cover when and how to refer clients to registered dietitians or healthcare providers, and how to communicate boundaries ethically. This clarity protects both you and your clients while strengthening trust and collaboration.

Pregnancy increases the body’s demand for specific nutrients, including protein, iron, folate, iodine, calcium, and healthy fats. This lesson explains why these nutrients matter and how food-first strategies can support them. You’ll learn how to discuss nutrient needs without strict rules or rigid meal plans. The focus is on flexibility, adequacy, and supporting real-life eating patterns.

Nausea, heartburn, constipation, fatigue, and appetite changes are common—and often misunderstood. This lesson also addresses pregnancy-related concerns such as gestational diabetes risk, low iron, and blood sugar regulation from a non-clinical perspective. You’ll learn how food choices can support comfort and nourishment without fear-based messaging. The emphasis is on practical adjustments that meet clients where they are.

Many clients feel pressure around weight gain and body changes during pregnancy. This lesson teaches you how to navigate these conversations with sensitivity, using a non-diet and trauma-informed approach. You’ll learn how to shift the focus toward nourishment, function, and well-being rather than numbers on a scale. This helps clients feel supported instead of judged.

Postpartum recovery places significant demands on the body, especially after blood loss, sleep deprivation, and hormonal shifts. This lesson explores nutrients and foods that support healing, energy, and emotional resilience. You’ll learn how to support clients experiencing exhaustion without expecting perfection. The focus is on rebuilding, replenishing, and sustainable nourishment.

Breastfeeding and chestfeeding increase energy and nutrient needs, yet many parents feel unsure about what they “should” be eating. This lesson covers hydration, calorie needs, and food-first approaches to supporting milk production without supplements or rigid rules. You’ll also learn how to address common concerns while staying within your scope. The goal is confidence, not pressure.

This lesson introduces infant nutrition through a perinatal lens, focusing on early feeding environments and parental nourishment. Rather than providing medical feeding advice, it explores how caregiver nutrition and support influence infant well-being. You’ll learn how to answer common questions and know when to refer. This course adds depth without expanding beyond scope.

Food is deeply tied to culture, identity, and family traditions, especially around pregnancy and postpartum. This lesson explores how to honor cultural practices while supporting nutritional adequacy. You’ll learn how to ask respectful questions and avoid assumptions. Clients feel more supported when their traditions are valued rather than dismissed.

Not all clients have the same access to food, time, or support. This lesson addresses budgeting, grocery access, meal fatigue, and differing household preferences. You’ll learn strategies to support nourishment within real constraints. Practical solutions matter more than ideal plans.

Pregnancy and postpartum can intensify food guilt and emotional eating. This lesson helps you understand why these patterns arise and how to respond without shame or control. You’ll practice reframing nutrition as care rather than discipline. Clients benefit when they feel safe talking about food honestly.

This lesson walks through how to gather nutrition history while building trust and rapport. You’ll learn what questions to ask, what to avoid, and how to listen for both practical and emotional needs. The intake process sets the tone for effective support. Small shifts in communication can make a big difference.

Many clients know what they want to eat but struggle with execution. This lesson focuses on simple cooking techniques, batch meals, and low-effort nourishment for pregnancy and postpartum. You’ll learn how to teach realistic strategies rather than idealized routines. Food should feel doable, even on hard days.

Nutrition change doesn’t happen through information alone. This lesson introduces behavior change principles and motivational interviewing techniques tailored to perinatal clients. You’ll learn how to support progress without pressure or perfectionism. Sustainable change comes from collaboration, not control.

Perinatal nutrition professionals often work alongside doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and healthcare providers. This lesson covers respectful collaboration, referrals, and communication. You’ll learn how to stay in your lane while still adding value. Strong collaboration improves outcomes for everyone.

Clients are often already overloaded with information. This lesson focuses on simplifying education into clear, actionable guidance. You’ll learn how to prioritize what matters most for each client. Less information, delivered well, often creates better results.

In this final lesson, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to create a launch-ready offering, such as a workshop, eBook, or nutrition support service. You’ll receive guidance on ethical marketing, pricing, and scope-appropriate language. The final capstone ensures you finish the program confident and ready to serve clients. This is where learning becomes real-world impact.

Complete a 45-minute final exam to assess your understanding of core perinatal nutrition concepts, including fertility nutrition, prenatal nutrient requirements, common pregnancy nutrition concerns, birth-recovery nourishment, breastfeeding nutrition, and culturally sensitive, food-first support strategies. This exam ensures you’re fully prepared to apply evidence-based nutrition guidance when supporting parents through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.

Assess your ability to apply perinatal nutrition principles in real-world scenarios. This evaluation focuses on effective client communication, identifying common nutrition concerns during fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum, creating realistic and culturally sensitive nutrition plans, demonstrating a food-first approach, and providing supportive, evidence-based guidance with empathy and professionalism.

As part of the Prenatal and Postpartum Nutritionist Certification, you’ll complete two brief interviews: one with a perinatal professional who provides nutrition support and one with a parent who has experienced nutrition challenges during pregnancy or postpartum. These conversations offer real-world insight into family needs and provider practices, strengthening your communication skills, empathy, and ability to deliver practical, client-centered nutrition guidance.

No professional contacts? No problem. The Optional Guided Interview Pathway connects you with certified perinatal mental health counselors and experienced mentors through warm introductions arranged by the DNT Network team. You’ll gain firsthand insights, ask meaningful questions, and practice professional communication in a supportive, real-world setting. These guided interviews count toward your certification and help build both your confidence and professional network.

For the Perinatal Nutrition Certification, you’ll submit one Interview Critique Form completed by the professional you interviewed. This form provides constructive feedback on your communication, professionalism, and ability to discuss nutrition topics with clarity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. It also highlights strengths and areas for growth as you develop confidence in delivering client-centered, evidence-based perinatal nutrition support.

For the Prenatal and Postpartum Nutritionist Certification, you’ll submit two recommendation letters from individuals who can speak to your professionalism, communication skills, empathy, and readiness to support families with nutrition guidance. Recommenders may include employers, mentors, colleagues, clients, or people familiar with your work. These letters demonstrate your readiness to provide ethical, client-centered prenatal and postpartum nutrition support as a Perinatal Nutrition Coach.

After completing all course requirements, your materials will be reviewed by the DNT Network team. Within 3–5 business days, you’ll receive your official Certified Perinatal Nutrition Coach (C-PNC) digital certificate along with a unique certification ID, confirming your credential through the DNT Network.