The Training
**All photos used with permission
The training takes place over four days and encompasses a wide range of topics. Included in the curriculum are:
- Postpartum Doula Basics
- Understanding the Birth Experience
- Postpartum Recovery
- Breastfeeding Basics and Challenges
- Integrating the Baby into the Family
- PPMADs (Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders)
- New Family Dynamics & Supporting Families with Special Needs
- Loss & Grief
- Building a Doula Practice
- Next Steps: Certification
"I took my postpartum doula training with AJ in February 2019. What a life changer! As a new birth doula, I had no idea that there were so many things unique to postpartum training. This course has both enhanced my business and my love for this work. AJ has been so supportive right from the very beginning and even months and months later. She has provided referrals to help me practice my new skills and encouragement when she could see that I might have needed it. It was worth every cent! I encourage you to enjoy the reading ahead of time - it really makes the course material even more relevant. Plus, if you are interested in this work, the reading will only continue to light a fire to get you going. I would recommend this training to anyone!"
- To ensure students are well prepared for the training, there is required reading to be completed prior to attendance. While the list can seem extensive, the papers read quickly and the books are part of the required reading for certification.
A. Read the DONA International Position Papers
1. The Postpartum Doula's Role in Modern Maternity Care
2. The Birth Doula's Contribution to Modern Maternity Care
B. One book from each of the following three categories:
Section One: Becoming a Parent
- Nobody Told Me About That: The First six Weeks edited by Ginger BreedLove & 14 authors (2018) (new)
- The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson (2017) (new)
- The First Forty Days by Amely Greeven, Heng Ou, and Marisa Belger (2016) new)
- Mothering the New Mother: Women’s Feelings and Needs after Childbirth: A Support and Resource Guide by Placksin (2000)
- And Baby Makes Three: The Six Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance after Baby Arrives by Gottman (2017) audio available
- Pride and Joy: A Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Parents by Sarah and Rachel Hagger-Holt (2017) (new)
- Do Fathers Matter? by Paul Raeburn (2015) (new) Black Fatherhood: Trials and Tribulations by Khalid Akil White, Thurman V. White, Jr., Dr. Larry Wayne Ellis (2016) (new)
- Crib Sheet by Emily Oster (2019) (new)
Section Two: The Newborn/Infant Care and Development
- The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by James Sears, MD (2013)
- The Mother of All Baby Books: The Ultimate Guide to Your Baby’s First Year by Ann Douglas (2002)
- The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward by Frans Plooij, et al. (2017)
- Touchpoints: Birth to Three: Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development by T. Berry Brazelton (2006)
- Your Baby is Speaking to You: A Visual Guide to the Amazing Behaviors of Your Newborn and Growing Baby by Kevin Nugent (2011)
Section Three: Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Morhbacher and Kathy Kendall-Tackett (2010)
- The Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding: The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African American Mothers, by Kathi Barber (2005) new
- Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding by Jack Newman, MD (2014)
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Wiessinger and West (2010)
- Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage by Robin Kaplan M.Ed. IBCLC, Robin and Abby Theuring (2018) (new)
For details about cost, including taking advantage of
early bird rates and payment plans, please contact me.
What the students are saying...
Thank you so much for a fabulous four days...I have learned so much.
From the first warm welcome, AJ's wisdom and experience enriched the workshop. Her patience, the generous, thoughtful and kind manner she shared and accompanied us in our learning is greatly appreciated. This has been by far one of the best workshops I've attended/participated in.
Fantastic workshop taught from the heart with empathy and compassion - it has been inspiring.
Loved every minute! So excited for the future!
Your passion, openness and ability to share your knowledge and experience has provided an outstanding postpartum doula workshop. You have inspired us and fostered our individual skills and interests.
You are a wise and shining light in the community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Refund & Training Cancellation Policy
Refunds are available up to one calendar month before the start of training, minus a 15% administration fee. No refunds are possible after that date, but fees may be transferred to a future training.
In the unlikely event that a training is cancelled (due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond my control), students will be given the option of a full refund or confirmed space at a future training .
Refunds are available up to one calendar month before the start of training, minus a 15% administration fee. No refunds are possible after that date, but fees may be transferred to a future training.
In the unlikely event that a training is cancelled (due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond my control), students will be given the option of a full refund or confirmed space at a future training .