CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME! Michigan Birth Doula Training Scholarship Recipients
We are delighted that you have chosen Lifespan Doulas for your professional training needs. Please read the information on this page and let me know if you have any questions or concerns (email pa***@li************.com). All scholarships are funded by the State of Michigan's Doula Initiative.
You cannot access this webpage from our website menu. You need the link, so I recommend that you bookmark it for future reference.
Please check your email regularly for updates and information about this training and ensure that we have a current email address for you.
In-Person Birth Doula Workshop
The NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) Center
1100 N. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
NEW Center is located along the river front parallel to N. Main St., about one mile north of downtown Ann Arbor and a half mile walk from the Amtrak station.
There is free parking adjacent to the Center.
Breastfeeding babies up to six months of age are welcome at the training. We do ask that you step out of the room if your baby gets fussy and is distracting class participants. Please make arrangements for older breastfeeding babies. There will be two 15-minute breaks (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) and a one-hour lunch break each day. You are welcome to have someone bring the baby to you during breaks.
We will be getting on the floor to practice techniques so please dress accordingly. Consider dressing in layers as it is often difficult to control the temperature to everyone's satisfaction.
#1
You have been given access to two self-paced study courses online:
- Medical Interventions in Labor & Birth (2.5 hours) and
- Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas (6.5 hours).
Your unique sign-in for our online classroom on Thinkific has been emailed to you. It is recommended that you complete at least the Medical Interventions course prior to the doula training weekend as we will assume knowledge of these materials during our training.
#2
Download the Pain Medication Preference Scale. Prior to the workshop, please use the scale to rate your own preferences as though you yourself were expecting a baby soon.
#3
Download Models of Childbirth. Prior to the workshop, read through the descriptions of the Medical Model versus the Midwifery Model and decide where you fall on the continuum between the two.
#4
Download Your Ideal Birth Experience. Prior to the workshop, please download and complete the Ideal Birth Exercise. Bring your answers with you to the workshop.
You are on your own to make reservations at a hotel, motel, or Airbnb.
Michigan's Doula Registry
The whole purpose of this scholarship program is to increase the number of birth doulas in Michigan who are represented on the state's Doula Registry. Once registered with the State, you can begin to bill for reimbursement for services provided to Medicaid-eligible families in your community. This course fulfills the doula training requirement.
The State of Michigan will be in direct communication with all scholarship recipients regarding post-training requirements. Upon completion of all requirements, you will be eligible to receive a stipend from the State to be used as seed money for launching your new doula business.
Learn more about the State of Michigan Doula Initiative Registry.
Birth Doula Certification (Optional)
You are not required to become certified as part of the scholarship program. Certification is recommended for doulas, but it is optional. Other sources of third party reimbursement for doula services (e.g., Carrot) require certification.
You will need to purchase the Birth Doula Cross Certification ($125 one-time fee). You will be given access to the certification exam online within 24 hours of purchase. You can undertake the certification at any time after completing training.
Lifespan Doulas' certification is a lifetime certification with no ongoing requirements or fees.
The certification exam questions are in a multiple choice and True/False format. The exam is not timed, meaning you can start and stop as you please and you can take it as many times as you need to achieve a passing grade of 85%.
In case you want to get started with the additional reading requirements for certification, we are listing them here. There is no need to buy the books new. Many can be found in your local library or through inter-library loan. You can also search online for used books for the best prices.
A Final Word
Please keep in mind that many eligible people have been turned away for these scholarships. If you do not complete the program, you are taking away an opportunity from someone else. Please show consideration by giving me as much advance notice as possible if you have a conflict that prevents you from attending the workshop. We have a Wait List and can open up your spot.
— Patty
Thank you!
