Birth Doula Training Workshop
Class Overview
During this DONA approved Birth Doula Training you will learn
- in-depth labor support strategies,
- the role of the doula within the medical framework,
- guidelines for pre- and postnatal contact with your clients, and
- doula business strategies.
We use texts, videos, supplementary literature, slide and role-play to build your theoretical knowledge and teach practical skills. You and your classmates will learn from each other as you share your own birth-related experiences and develop your doula skills together.
This workshop also includes Lactation for Doulas, a breastfeeding course which fulfills a DONA International requirement for certification.
Guest speakers may include doulas, midwives and other birth professionals who come to share their thoughts and experiences in setting up a practice and working as a doula.
Workshop Dates
Our 3-day workshops are in-person. Class size is about 20 students.
3-Day Workshop
- Jan 10-12, 2025
Weekend classes are Friday 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
“After my three day workshop I walked away feeling confident, motivated, and excited to continue on my journey as a Doula. I truly felt like I was joining a big family after meeting everyone and getting to know each other.”
-Sophia H.
Doula Training Schedule
Optional: Intro to Childbirth Education for Doulas
Thursday 9:00 AM to 6:00PM
Intro to Childbirth for Doulas is an optional full day in-person class.
We cover stages and phases of labor, comfort measures, emotional and physical changes in labor along with medications and cesarean.
Although this class is not required, it does fulfill DONA’s childbirth education requirement for certification. You will receive a separate certificate for attendance.
3-Day Birth Doula Training
Friday 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Introductions; Experience at Birth; Group Goal Setting; The Benefits of Birth Doulas; the Doula research; Dona Codes & Ethics and certification; the process of certification and initial client contact.
Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The course content focuses on the physical and psychological processes associated with giving birth and the significance of childbirth in women’s lives. The special role of the doula in the prenatal period, during labor and delivery and during the postpartum period is covered in detail. Emphasis is placed on the importance of appropriate, culturally sensitive. and ethical support.
Comfort measures are discussed and practiced with role-play and videos to enhance the learning process. Participants learn how to enable women and their partners to cope with both complicated and uncomplicated labors, including surgical birth. Breastfeeding is covered extensively during our 3-hour Lactation for Doulas class. This also fulfills one of DONA’s class requirements for certification.
Breastfeeding Course – Lactation for Doulas
Our breastfeeding course is included in our 3-Day Birth Doula Training and fulfills DONA’s requirement for a 3-hour lactation class.
Lactation for Doulas is designed to help the doula support their new families with breastfeeding. We cover anatomy and physiology of reastfeeding, latch and position (including comfort for both mom and baby), common challenges in Breastfeeding, and resources.
SDCM Doula Trainers
Gerri Ryan, BDT (DONA)
Lisa Simpkins, IBCLC
Heather LeMaster, LM, CPM
Register Online
Workshop Preparation
I. If you are not one of the following listed below, then please consider taking our Introduction to Childbirth Education class OR completing a childbirth education series (student observers are FREE) at a birthing facility or with a private birth educator.
- Midwife
- Nurse with labor & deliver experience
- A childbirth educator
- Currently a doula but desiring certification
- Or VERY familiar with process of birth
II. In addition, please read the latest editions of the following texts before class:
- Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn, Simkin
- The Doula Book, Klaus, Kennell, Klaus
- The Birth Partner, Simkin
Registration Fee
Our 3-day Birth Doula Training is $575. Our Complete Birth Doula Training Package, which includes Intro to Childbirth Education for Doulas, is a 4-day training and costs $700. You have an option to make a $350 deposit to you reserve your space with the balance due by the course.
If you are only taking the Intro to Childbirth Education for Doulas class, the full payment of $150 is required to reserve your space.
We accept payment via Cash App, and check or money order payable to SDCM. Please contact us if you would like to send a check/money order.
Cancellation Policy
We do not accept cancellations or issue refunds.
Students may defer their deposit for a one-time transfer toward a future doula training of your choice within 1 year of the previously booked training or you may designate a substitute to use your registration.