THIS DONA INTERNATIONAL BIRTH DOULA WORKSHOP

Intimate, heartwarming and deeply rewarding. This 3-day workshop lays the foundation for you to provide meaningful support to birthing families.  We’ll dive into the emotional, psychological and physical process of labor.  We explore your role as a doula at prenatal visits, during labor and birth and at the postpartum follow-up. Because I keep our group small, we have lots of time for hands-on practice and getting questions answered.

DOULA WORKSHOP AGENDA

  • Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, fetal development, labor, postpartum
  • Components of prenatal care and the midwifery model of careComfort Measures - Connie Sultana - Childbirth Services
  • Emotions of pregnancy, labor and birth
  • Pain management techniques
  • Medical procedures used in labor
  • Labor variations and complications, including Cesarean birth
  • Communication and listening skills
  • The emotional and psychological aspects of giving birth and its significance in women’s lives
  • The doula’s role, professional ethics, standards of practice, and certification
  • Emotional support and physical comfort measures
  • Support for difficult labors, Cesarean birth, and vaginal birth after Cesarean
  • Newborn care and breastfeeding support
  • Values clarification and cultural sensitivity
  • Includes Introduction to Childbearing (DONA International certification requirement)

INTRODUCTION TO CHILDBEARING FOR DOULASMassage Circle - Connie Sultana - Childbirth Services

Friday 9am – 6pm:  DONA requires for certification that you attend a Childbirth Preparation Series (not as an expectant parent). Or take the Intro to Childbearing for Doulas class that I offer adjacent to the doula workshop (the first day of 3 days together).  If you seek certification, this fun, informative day completes all Childbirth Ed requirements. It is specifically geared to doulas. If you don’t seek certification, this day lays a crucial foundation for assisting families during birth. The 3 days in the workshop complete 2 steps toward DONA Certification: Childbirth Ed and Doula Training.

HERE’S WHAT DOULAS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Click here for testimonials

MENTORING AND ATTENDING BIRTHS

  • Attendance at this workshop is a requirement for applying to be a paid doula at the Santa Rosa Birth Center
  • After the workshop you’ll receive a list of opportunities to gain experience as a doula.  Scroll to the bottom of this page to see an example. I also offer free mentoring (click here).

 

ABOUT CERTIFICATION

DONA International is the world’s first, largest and international doula certifying organization. This workshop completes two steps toward certification.

You do not need to be certified to attend births!

This workshop is strongly recommended for those on a midwifery or nursing school path. It is an approved requirement at many midwifery schools.

For certification purposes, attendance at the entire workshop is required.

WORKSHOP SNACKSLunch Time - Connie Sultana - Childbirth Services

Generous coffee, tea and individually wrapped snacks will be available. Restaurants are near-by.

 

PUMPING and WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE

You are welcome to pump in the classroom at any time. There is a refrigerator if you would like to store milk. Babies who need to nurse in-person are invited to come into the classroom when they need to. You must discuss this with the instructor prior to registering. If they are easily distracted and you need a place to be one-on-one, that can be arranged. You would still be able to hear class while feeding your baby.

PREREQUISITES

  • To help you prepare, a user-friendly, fun newsletter will be emailed with your workshop confirmation. There are some simple, free activities that are encouraged prior to the workshop.

Do read:

Recommended:

Available at in The Doula Boutique at www.DONA.org, Amazon.com and possibly your library.

IF YOU BECOME A DOULA, CAN YOU REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT ON MATERNAL HEALTH?

Yes! Research evidence on Birth Doulas (click here) – so interesting!

GET CLIENTS AND BE COMPENSATED BY MEDI-CAL

After the workshop, you can apply to become a Medi-Cal approved doula.  I have collaborated  with the Department of Health, and with the nurses at the Nurse Family Partnership to create opportunities for you to be paired with a client. When are a registered as a Medi-Cal-approved doula you receive reimbursement (up to $1150) for your work. For decades doulas have struggled with their desire to provide services to clients who may not be able to afford the care of a doula.  At the same time, not all doulas can afford to provide services without compensation. After years of negotiating, we have finally received approval to become Medi-Cal reimbursed providers.  Medi-Cal has information for becoming a provider. This workshop will not be a training on how to do that. But the workshop is approved as a training that counts toward becoming a Medi-Cal approved doula. DONA certified doulas are also accepted as Tri-Care Doulas who serve military families receiving up to $2000 compensation.  DONA is one of only two approved certifying bodies for Walmart employees. Walmart will pay doulas $1000 for a birth. Doulas are permitted to bill beyond that directly to a Walmart employee.