Center for the Childbearing Year

Monthly Doula Support Group

WHO: Doulas and aspiring doulas

COST: Free!

WHY: So you don't feel alone in the work that you do. Connect with other doulas and form a support network that can include finding a back-up doula (or two). Enjoy a safe forum for discussing difficult cases and do some group problem solving. Identify topics for future training needs. Learn from each other's mistakes.

WHERE: Center for the Childbearing Year, 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor

WHEN: The first Thursday of each month, from 7-9 pm.

BABIES: In-arms nursing infants up to six months old are welcome; please find childcare for your other children.

FORMAT: The speaker(s) will present for the first hour and then the Volunteer Coordinator will facilitate group discussion on the evening's topic or other topics that the group wants to address. The quarterly With Women sessions are more formal educational sessions lasting the full two hours. Speakers are brought in from the community, CEs are provided for those seeking to maintain certification, and sessions are open to a broader audience of care providers.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending a support group meeting to 734-332-8070 or email Marylee Scherdt at

December

Doula Appreciation Night!

Come let us nurture you! Enjoy massage, tasty treats, a small gift, a presentation on self care, and great company. It's our way of saying Happy Holidays and Thank You for all the care you have provided to Doulas Care clients this year.

Update on Regional Doula Support Groups

This year's efforts to reach more volunteers through our support group led to the development of regional groups. So far we have had three small but wonderful meetings which offered opportunities for networking and sharing. Discussions have included experiences with local hospitals, birth stories, "why I became a doula" stories, local resources, and outreach needs/opportunities. While we are not able to provide ongoing hosting support for the regional groups, we are more than happy to provide technical/logistical assistance. The Livingston/Lansing, Wayne/Detroit, and Oakland area groups have all expressed an interest in continuing to meet in some way but haven't identified a host/leader yet. If you would like to host or help coordinate a support group of volunteer doulas in your area and would like some support in getting started, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.