Our Blog & Newsletter Archives From birth to end-of-life care

Is mentoring available for doulas?

By Patty Brennan | June 17, 2022

Are you a newly trained doula? Have you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall and observe an experienced, professional doula at work? Perhaps watch how she/he handles questions during a new client interview, or observe interactions with medical personnel or hospice staff (especially when those interactions are trending adversarial)? It makes…

End-of-Life Doulas in Pediatric Palliative & Death Care ~ Webinar

By Patty Brennan | May 20, 2022

Toula Saratsis, CEOLD, presents on the need for information, networking, and advocacy for the pediatric population at end of life. She shares practical insights from the unique perspective of children and their essential support systems. Download Pediatric EOL Resources. Toula Saratsis is a bereaved parent, a certified end-of-life doula, and a home funeral guide. She specializes…

Balanced Caregiving ~ March Webinar

By Patty Brennan | March 23, 2022

With author Ellie Atherton. Don’t let your energy well go dry! Many of us know how wonderful it feels to help others, and that deep satisfaction is what encourages us to continue giving. But if you are giving without refueling your own energy stores, this may leave you exhausted and limit your ability to be fully…

How to Choose a Doula Training

By Patty Brennan | February 18, 2022

How to choose a doula training when there are so many options? Which is best? Just as no one doula can be the right fit for every family, no one doula training can be the best fit for every prospective doula. Before you get lost in the Sea of Choices and are tempted to give…

SEO for Doulas ~ Webinar

By Patty Brennan | January 30, 2022

With Patty Brennan, author of The Doula Business Guide “Build it and they will come” (from the movie, Field of Dreams). Well, no, actually it doesn’t work that way. It’s not enough to create and launch your website. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great accomplishment for a new business owner! Next, the task is to get your…

Dementia at End of Life ~ Webinar

By Patty Brennan | November 18, 2021

With Lori Smith & Patty Brennan Lori shares practical tips for doulas and other caregivers in the art of support for a person with dementia at end of life. Topics include: The EOLD/caregiver’s role in identifying pain Communication challenges in expressing pain Observing and identifying signs of pain Creating a comfortable environment 4 main triggers…

How to Market your Doula Business

By Patty Brennan | November 3, 2021

How to Promote your Doula Business An initial stumbling block to marketing my doula services involved a deep-seated distaste for selling. I began to feel more comfortable with the idea of selling myself and my services once I understood the importance of articulating the VALUE I bring to my clients. Consider the following questions: What…

How to Create a Doula Contract

By Patty Brennan | October 5, 2021

October 2021 Newsletter from Lifespan Doulas How to Create a Doula Contract #1. Understand the purpose of your contract. It is essentially a tool for communication. Your contract (or “Letter of Agreement”) commits to writing the terms of the doula-client relationship, especially around services provided, fees, and terms of payment. You are seeking to create…

Acupressure in Labor

By Patty Brennan | October 4, 2021

How can acupressure in labor be beneficial? We will focus on two acupressure points in the body that, when stimulated, help to release the hormone oxytocin in order to start or augment uterine contractions. A common application is as a natural means of getting labor contractions started. Or to help erratic early labor contractions strengthen…

Tips for Death Doulas: How to Support the Dying ~ Webinar Recording

By Patty Brennan | September 17, 2021

Webinar with Ellie Atherton, author of Stepping Stones: Following a Pathway to End of Life Ellie Atherton, a long-time hospice nurse with the heart of a doula, shares tips for death doulas that include her techniques for honoring each person’s unique experience of dying. Ellie shares that she “got into trouble” early in her hospice…

Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss—Webinar Recording

By Patty Brennan | July 22, 2021

With Author Amy Wright Glenn Pregnancy loss is a special kind of loss. Doulas of all specialties will inevitably encounter it and will, no doubt, benefit from Amy’s wisdom and graceful modeling of how to “hold space.” Join Amy as she explores: What does it mean to hold space? What does it mean to companion…