DONA-Approved Postpartum Doula Workshops

With Patty Brennan & Guest Speakers

“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

Postpartum Doula Workshop Course Description

ls005_20a.jpg

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!

2010 Schedule & Fees

Thursday 1:30–7:15 pm, Friday & Saturday 8:30am–6pm, Sunday 8:30am–3:15pm

October 7–10 (ERD 9/16)

Fee $425; $385 if paid in full by Early Registration Date (ERD)

Accommodation for Sabbath observers: The Friday and Saturday course content will alternate each time this course is taught, enabling you to complete all requirements, though it will take a little longer. So, for example, sign up for the October 2010 training, take Saturday off, and then join us on March 25, 2011 to make up what you missed. Or, take the March 2011 training and then join us on October 7, 2011 to complete the training. Your certificate of attendance will be provided upon completion.

2011 Schedule & Fees

Thursday 1:30–7:15 pm, Friday & Saturday 8:30am–6pm, Sunday 8:30am–3:15pm

  • March 17–20 (ERD 2/24)
  • October 6–9 (ERD 9/15)

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

Listen to a 10-Minute Audio Program on Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about Doula Training & Becoming a Doula. Q&A

25.5 contact hours for nursing have been approved (add $15 for processing)

The University of Michigan Health System’s Educational Services for Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS

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 or are available for purchase through the DONA Boutique.) 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:
    • Proof of participation in a breastfeeding workshop, of at least 3 hours in length, such as our Professional Education in Breastfeeding & Lactation class
    • Lactation Consultant, La Leche League, or local mother’s group peer counseling training
    • Completion of an on-line study program (Lactation Education Resources offers a basic, Complete Self-Learning Program that is affordably priced. For more information, www.leron-line.com.)

[Back to top]

More Kind Words

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

“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

“This whole course was balanced, informative, open-minded, respectful, entertaining, and interesting.” — Class Participant

“The qualities of respect and caring for childbearing women, confidentiality, and respect for caregivers was evident in all aspects of presentation.” — Class Participant

“I think this is a very well organized program. I would highly recommend it. An enormous amount of information was exchanged. Great experience!” — Class Participant

“I learned more than I thought. I realized there was a lot I didn’t know.” — Class Participant

“All instructors were knowledgeable, personable, enthusiastic, engaged and engaging, and effective in presenting the course materials. A long but interesting weekend.”–Class Participant

“Great integration of work. Very hands on, offering a variety of tools and advice. Different speakers were great. All of the experience from Patty and Melisa was very supportive. I have a better understanding of doula work. Thanks so much!”–Class Participant


[Back to top]