DONA BIRTH DOULA TRAINING Learn how to support families in birth!
Few events in life match the birth of a baby in anticipation and effect. We stand in awe and celebrate our children’s births while simultaneously witnessing that, for too many women today, birth is traumatizing. Nearly one-third of American women undergo major abdominal surgery as their entry into motherhood. Others are struggling emotionally through the early weeks and months of their babies’ lives. And a disproportionate number of African American women and their infants are dying. It doesn’t have to be this way. Invest in DONA Birth Doula Training and ...
MAKE A DIFFERENCE, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.
When you become a birth doula, you help parents experience:
Your hands-on, skills-oriented birth doula training will include:
2020 SCHEDULE & FEES
COVID-19 Registration Updates
All trainings offered through August 2020 will be VIRTUAL LIVE trainings.
The Fall 2020 schedule is currently set to be in-person trainings (though we will adapt as circumstances dictate).
The early bird deadline for our June Birth Doula Virtual Training has been waived.
VIRTUAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
You will receive a provisional certificate of completion after the virtual training and another one after you are able to complete the hands-on component.
If you would like to attend one of our virtual Birth Doula Workshops and cannot travel to Michigan for the hands-on session, you have other options. Learn more here.
Welcome! If you have been following this page for training updates, you may have seen an earlier version where I stated I did not intend to offer virtual trainings. I decided to get outside my comfort zone (something we doulas are good at) and discovered that it could be a very positive experience. I had the pleasure recently of working with a large group on Zoom over four days and it was surprisingly delightful. The participants really connected with each other and we had a great training. Give it a try and join us! —Patty
DONA Birth Doula Training Workshop
This option includes the pre-requisite Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class and the DONA Birth Doula Workshop. It fulfills two DONA International certification requirements for birth doulas.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
June 26–28 (Virtual)
August 7-9 (Virtual)
October 9–11
December 4–6
Virtual trainings meet Friday-Sunday, 8:30am-5pm
In-person trainings meet Friday & Saturday, 8:30am-6pm and Sunday 8:30am-5pm
INVESTMENT
$550 Full Price or
$500 Early Bird (expires 30 days prior; exception--no expiration for June training) or
Deposit $295 + 3 monthly payments of $85
Complete Your Virtual Workshop Training (included in fee for June & August Birth Doula Workshop)
Choose a Session
September 13 or December 13, Sunday 12:30-5pm
Traveling to get here? You may be interested in our Doula Business Development Workshop offered on Saturday 9/13 or 12/13
Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas Class
This class (described below) fulfills a DONA certification requirement for birth and postpartum doulas. It can be taken before or after your birth doula workshop as a stand-alone class. If you plan to take our Postpartum Doula Workshop, do not register separately for this class because it is included in the Postpartum Workshop.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
July 16, 2020 (Virtual)
October 8, 2020
December 3, 2020
Class meets Thursday 6-9:15pm
INVESTMENT $85
This Special Package Saves Money.
Register for Both Classes
and Save $20!
This option includes the pre-requisite Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class, the DONA Birth Doula Workshop and the Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas class. It fulfills three DONA International certification requirements for birth doulas.
Register for your choice of dates for the Birth Doula Workshop and Breastfeeding class. Save $20 when you add the coupon code save20 to the Shopping Cart.
INVESTMENT WITH COUPON
Full Fee $615
Early Bird $565 (expires 30 days prior) or
Deposit $360 + 3 monthly payments of $85
BEST VALUE!
Do you want to become both a birth and postpartum doula?
Invest in our Doula Business Builder Deluxe Training Package and save!
This comprehensive training package is substantially discounted and includes DONA International Birth and Postpartum Doula Workshops, all pre-requisite classes, and training in how to put it all together into a life-changing, successful doula business.
Your choice of 2020 training dates. Payment plans available.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you in our short encounter on the Dexter boardwalk how much I appreciate the birth doula training I took with you. I used so much of what I learned in the birth and breastfeeding of my daughter. I felt much more prepared for labor and more empowered to make the choices I did. Your training has also helped me to be even more loving and supportive of the women I get to care for as a chiropractor. I still use resources and skills that I gathered from your class on a regular basis. The work you do is very important and it has changed me for the better!” - Sarah Prater-Manor
“I absolutely loved this experience. Worth my money and time investment. I am so thankful I undertook this venture. I feel inspired and filled with recognition of my soul’s purpose. Thank you for being here and running such an amazing workshop.” - Jess Juntunen, Hancock, MI
“Thank you so much–I can’t get enough! I only wish I could take this workshop and the postpartum one over again for the first time. What an education and experience! Best $$ I ever spent.” - Kat Oshman, Ann Arbor, MI
“I took your birth doula class to help my daughter through labor…. She did fantastic, remained in full control, trying a lot of different positions and various techniques…. We tried and did many things I learned in class and I appreciated everything you taught and suggested.” - Dana Borenitsch
“Patty was such an inspiring woman to learn from as I begin this new part of my life! Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for serving mothers and their babies (and partners!) will stay with me forever.” - Kate Louik, Ann Arbor, MI
“As a young woman who has never experienced pregnancy or birth, the subject was a bit overwhelming at times. But your teaching style made the material so approachable, understandable and fun.” - Mary Colleen Casey, Ypsilanti, MI
“Unfortunately, I received my [initial] doula training from another trainer … thank goodness Patty has renewed my faith in DONA and the holistic model that it originally represented. It was well worth the extra miles to get here!” - Kristin Kelly, Traverse City, MI
“Great learning environment. Best class I have ever attended.” - Michaela Anderson, Adrian, MI
Let an expert be your guide:
Patty Brennan has been immersed in all things birth related for 37 years. She has prepared well over 1,000 couples for birth as a childbirth educator and is an experienced birth doula and retired midwife. Since 1998, she has trained more than 2,000 doulas, encouraging each new doula to use her own unique strengths and gifts to make a positive difference for new families. As you begin your doula journey, Patty and her carefully selected team of instructors are honored to be your guides.
+ BREASTFEEDING BASICS FOR DOULAS WORKSHOP
With Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
Join us for a professional workshop taught by lactation educator extraordinaire Barbara Robertson. Learn the very latest in evidence-based breastfeeding support. This class will enhance the doula’s ability to assist breastfeeding mothers immediately post-birth and in the early days postpartum. Barbara’s enthusiasm for all things breastfeeding is contagious!
This class fulfills a DONA certification requirement for birth doulas and is offered, as an option, in conjunction with our Birth Doula Workshop on Thursday night from 6-9:15pm. It can also be taken as a stand-alone class, either before or after completing your Birth Doula Workshop.
Learn how to provide skilled breastfeeding support:
“I had the privilege of attending Barbara Robertson’s course and wow, did I enjoy it! Living two-and-a-half hours away, some might think it would make more sense to complete the breastfeeding requirement locally or online, but after attending your DONA Birth Doula Workshop, I knew I wanted to take the class at the Center. I really appreciated the outstanding quality of the workshops.” - Allison Hatcher, South Haven, MI
“It was fabulous. Inspiring, informative, engaging.” - Kat Kieffer, McClure, OH
“So positive and reassuring. Practical and empowering of mothers and doulas. Wonderful!” - Ann Smith, Berkley, MI
“Thank you for your enlightened approach to educating doulas on breastfeeding. Your humor and energy made the subject even more interesting.” - Valerie Mangual, Ann Arbor, MI