DONA-Approved Postpartum Doula Workshops

With Patty Brennan & Guest Speakers

Create your own Postpartum Doula Miracles …

“After attending your DONA Postpartum Doula training two years ago, I got called for a medically fragile foster care placement. I had an amazing adventure with this little girl and so much of it was because of the training! I am writing a book about this little girl, born prematurely with congenital syphilis—blind, deaf, no skin on her hands or feet, and diabetes. The agency sent her to my home to die. But I carried her in a Moby Wrap and did kangaroo care with her 24/7 for six weeks straight. Then, as she was dying in my arms, I decided to try donated breast milk for her. Within two days of starting her on breast milk, she could see. Four days later she could hear! Her glucometer reading stabilized. She is 2 years old now and doing well. Thank you so much for all of your excellent direction in our workshop. It was amazing to see how God truly used what I learned from your class to save her life!” — Judy Wright, Lake Orion, MI

2012 Schedule & Fees

Thursday noon–6pm, Friday & Saturday 8:30am–6pm, Sunday 8:30am–3:15pm

  • October 4–7 (ERD 9/13)

Fee $435; $395 if paid in full by Early Registration Date (ERD)

Learn about our Doula Business Builder Training packages –bundled trainings at discount prices!

Listen to a 10-minute audio program on Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about doula training and becoming a doula. Q&A

Postpartum Doula Workshop Course Description

This 27-hour training prepares you to provide excellent, skilled in-home support services to families in the postpartum period, and has been approved as fulfilling one step towards professional Postpartum Doula Certification through DONA International. Click here for information on DONA certification requirements and fees. Topics include:

  • the doula’s multi-faceted postpartum role
  • effective listening and communication skills
  • importance of the birth experience and its impact on postpartum recovery and adjustment
  • normal physiologic recovery for the mother and holistic support measures
  • the newborn baby
  • supporting families with twins (or more)
  • providing effective support to the breastfeeding mother and troubleshooting common problems
  • integrating a new baby into the family
  • postpartum mood disorders
  • support for the grieving family
  • setting fees, client contracts, and establishing your doula service as a business
  • and more!

Pre-requisites for Postpartum Doula Training:

Participants are expected to have a working knowledge of the following:

  • Physical and emotional adjustment in the mother following birth
  • Newborn characteristics and care
  • Breastfeeding basics
  • Common breastfeeding difficulties and possible solutions

To be sure that participants are adequately prepared for their Postpartum Doula Training Workshop, the following reading and breastfeeding education requirements must be completed prior to attending the training:

  • Reading Requirements. From the DONA required reading list, the participant must have read one book from each of the following categories under Postpartum Doula Certification. (These books are available for you to borrow from the Center’s lending library.) By reading these books, you are also on your way to fulfilling DONA’s Postpartum Doula certification requirements.
    • Becoming a Mother
      • The New Mother, Eagan
      • Misconceptions, Wolf
      • Ourselves as Mothers, Kitzinger
      • Mothering the New Mother, Placksin
      • The Year After Childbirth, Kitzinger
    • The Newborn
      • Your Amazing Newborn, Klaus and Klaus
      • The Mind of Your Newborn Baby, Chamberlain
      • Infancy, Field
      • The Year After Childbirth, Kitzinger
      • Touchpoints, Brazelton
      • The Vital Touch, Heller
      • The Baby Book, Sears
    • Breastfeeding
      • Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, Newman
      • The Breastfeeding Answer Book, La Leche League International
  • Breastfeeding Preparation: The participant must have completed at least one of the options listed below before attending the Postpartum Doula Training:

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What do our students have to say about their doula training at the Center?

“Just wanted to thank you for an amazing weekend. Each day was super and surpassed my expectations. You are such an inspiration! I left feeling empowered and encouraged to continue serving women during their postpartum season. Thank you for providing EXCELLENT training.” — Jody Swank, Mattawan, MI

“I was very pleased with my experience at the Center for the Childbearing Year. Patty was very professional, yet caring and was an excellent example of someone who is passionate about their work and dedicated to assisting mothers and babies. I was reassured that becoming a postpartum doula is what I want to do. I also was given great advice for starting my own business and was given many of the skills I felt I lacked to become a doula. I would highly recommend this training to anyone and cannot say enough good things about it!” — Leah Segura, Bay City, MI

“Patty is an excellent trainer. I felt welcomed, accepted, and appreciated. The training was extremely informative and I learned lots of tools for working through potentially challenging situations. I enjoyed the training and feel very equipped. I feel that this has renewed my zeal to be a more competent, confident doula. I appreciate Patty’s openness and hospitality! Overall this was Excellent!” — Kelli Brien, South Bend, IN

“I truly feel that I got an education (informational, emotional, spiritual) through this course. It was tough to fork over the fee because it was a huge chunk of my savings, but it is, hands down, the best money I’ve ever spent. I’m officially hooked. I feel like I found my calling! I can’t wait to take more classes, spend more time at the Center, and just be as involved as I possibly can be. Thank you so much.” — Kat Oshman, Ann Arbor, MI

“This class was exactly what I needed. It helped me totally understand my role as a postpartum doula. Patty was knowledgeable but showed a humbleness that was delightful to see. Overall this class exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was very warm and inviting. I look forward to an opportunity to work with Patty in the future.” — Latreasa Klann, Bridgman, MI

Thank you so much for putting together such an amazing class. The guest speakers you picked gave invaluable information–as did you–that will make a huge difference in how I practice, not just as a postpartum doula, but as a birth doula as well. I look forward to future classes I’ll take from you! I’m going to make a point to tell clients and other doulas about the Center!” — Jenice Pettibone, Ypsilanti, MI

“Thanks so much! Very informative, well-organized, and enjoyable!” — Karen Rhea, Ann Arbor, MI

“I found it to be an excellent course, both for professional development but also personal education as a mother of two! I thought you did an excellent job of covering the large amount of information in just a few days. Thank you!” — Tanya Luz, Ann Arbor, MI

“Patty is an excellent trainer! I learned so much this weekend. I would highly recommend this training to other people.”–Elizabeth Gillette, Kirkland, WA

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