Introduction
Birth Doula Training LIVE VIRTUAL
Shandelle Ferguson
Andrea Paul
Stefanie Antunes
Asma Rahman
Are you ready to fulfill your dream of becoming a birth doula?
Join us for our client-centered and trauma-informed hybrid doula course, where we’ll guide you through interactive teaching and demonstrations!
The birth doula training LIVE VIRTUAL course creates an opportunity for students to learn, hold space, and boost their confidence alongside peers and our experienced team of instructors.
The workshop will be held from 9am to 5pm Eastern Time during the dates you select (from above). Please note that you must attend all days in order to qualify for the course requirements.
As part of your doula certification, you’ll be expected to complete online learning modules and related assignments alongside in-person training attendance.
*If you’d like to register for the Birth & Postpartum Doula training, please go back to that page here.
Course details
Duration and effort
- Live lectures with your doula trainers and international experts via Zoom, providing group support, community building, engaging Q&A sessions, and interactive discussions
- Info:
- Choose from dates above
- Times: 9am to 5pm Eastern Time
Material
- Tutorials and lectures covering early postpartum support, newborn care, doula business and more...
- Comprehensive course lessons and handouts to jumpstart your journey
- Reading materials and assignments designed to enhance your learning experience and comprehension
Location
- ONLINE: Live virtual classes PLUS Instant on-demand access to a student portal filled with amazing self-directed content to support your live learning
Mentorship
- One 30-minute mentorship session, ongoing email access to mentors, and a wide selection of online seminars and materials.
Certification
- Certified Birth Doula
What our students say about our courses
You will learn
At Doula School International, we offer a comprehensive 50+-hour Birth Doula Training program. Our program provides you with internationally recognized certification and equips you with comprehensive skills to effectively guide and support your clients.
Birth Doula Training LIVE VIRTUAL Curriculum
- Introduction: Your Program
- Inclusive Language and Support
- Doula School: Electronic Signature
- Leaning into your Program: LIVE Birth Doula
- Before Workshop Modules to Complete Birth Doula
- Diversity and Inclusion: Introduction
- Privilege & Oppression in Birth Work
- Cultural Humility
- Microaggressions
- Stereotype – Prejudice – Discrimination
- Reproductive Justice
- Allies, Accomplices, and Saviors
- Advocacy
- Choose Your Own Adventure
- Module Readings: Anti-Oppression, Social Justice, and Allyship
- Truth and Reconciliation – Introduction
- Colonialism and its impacts
- Culture, Reclamation and Restoration
- Issues in Indigenous Health Care
- Culturally Informed Care for Indigenous Populations: Where to begin
- Pregnancy: From Conception to Birth Intro
- Fetal Development
- The Pregnant Body
- Hormones in Pregnancy
- Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy 101
- Fetal Positioning and Movement
- Complications in Pregnancy
- Movement and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: From Conception to Birth – Birth Doula
- Time For Your In Person
- After Workshop Content
- Communication and Connection: Introduction
- The Power of Listening
- Counselling Skills 101
- Nonviolent Communication
- Debriefing Birth
- Communication and Connection – Birth Doula
- Introduction
- What is a Difficult Labor?
- Complications in Birth
- Multiples
- Loss
- Supporting Loss
- Pregnancy After Loss
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Self Care, Compassion Fatigue and Coping
- Understanding and Supporting Complications in Birth – Birth Doula
- Early Postpartum Support Introduction
- Infant Appearance After Birth
- Newborn Procedures and Bonding
- The Nurture Revolution
- Postpartum Recovery
- Common Infant Care Practices to Consider
- Early Postpartum Support – Birth Doula
- Trauma Informed Practice: Introduction
- What is Trauma?
- Body’s Response System
- Practicing Trauma Informed Care
- Trauma Informed Practice – Birth Doula
- Perinatal Mental Health: Introduction
- Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Resources for Doulas & Mood Concern Support
- Supporting a Mental Health Crisis
- Perinatal Mental Health – Birth Doula
- Procedures and Protocols for working with clients
- Client meetings
- Working with Primary Care
- Infection Prevention and Personal Safety Measures
- Child Welfare: Considerations and Reporting
- Setting Boundaries for your Mental Health
- Procedures and Protocols for Working with Clients – Birth Doula
- Your Perinatal Business: Introduction
- Target Market
- Finding your Niche
- Business Systems and Goals
- What are you charging?
- Marketing your Doula Business
- Virtual Support
- Contract Samples
- Client Package Project
- Doula Documents
- Your Perinatal Business – Birth Doula
- Final Requirements: Introduction
- Birth Doula Certification
- Final Submission
- Final Exam (Doula)
- Defining Perinatal Support: Introduction
- The Role of a Doula: Pregnancy through Postpartum
- The Evidence on Doulas
- Doulas and Partners
- Reflection Activity: How do you define doula?
- Defining Perinatal Support-Birth Doula
- Comfort Techniques: Introduction
- Gate Control Theory
- Pain
- Comfort Measures
- Breathing During Labour
- Birth Ball & Peanut Ball
- Relaxation
- Touch & Massage
- Movement and Positions
- Visualization, Meditation, & Affirmation
- Your Doula Bag
- Module Task
- Comfort Techniques – Birth Doula
- Childbirth Physiology: Introduction
- What is physiologic birth
- Identifying Signs of Labor
- Early Labor
- Early to Active Labor
- Active Labor
- Transition
- Second Stage
- Third Stage of Labor
- Water Breaking
- The Ways to Progress in Labor
- When to go to hospital
- Childbirth Physiology – Birth Doula
- Childbirth, Medical Options, and Pain Management: Introduction
- Why Planning for Birth Matters
- Informed Consent
- Childbirth
- Medical Options and Interventions in Birth
- Medical Pain Management Options
- Supporting Inductions
- Cesareans and VBACs
- Home Birth
- Childbirth, Medical Options, and Pain Management – Birth Doula
Modular approach
Our approach includes both live learning as well as self-directed content. This allows the course to be as comprehensive as possible and allow for some flexibility in how the course is accessed.
FAQ
Training Information & Eligibility: Before registering, you have reviewed the terms and policies available here, including but not limited to our Cancellation Policy, Equity & Inclusion Policy, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and Complaint Policies & Procedures.
Professionalism: You agree to arrive on time and be fully engaged for all scheduled days. If unexpected issues arise, you will promptly notify our faculty or staff. You accept full responsibility for addressing your needs in accessible learning, self-care, and compassionate treatment of peers and DSI staff. Faculty and staff reserve the right to remove trainees who create an unsafe or unprofessional environment for others or for reasons inconsistent with DSI policies.
Accommodation: Doula School International adheres to the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). If you require special accommodations to participate in our training, please email us with your requests at least fourteen (14) days before the scheduled training. Should accommodation needs arise during the training, promptly communicate with your instructor or DSI staff, and we will work with you to find a suitable solution.
Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of fellow trainees and our staff throughout your time with Doula School International. Confidentiality with clients will be discussed by your trainers. If you observe a problem with another trainee or staff member, report it to the lead trainer or DSI administration, following established policies and guidelines.
Preparedness for Independent Work: Throughout your training, active participation in training activities is expected. You are responsible for scheduling, discipline, and completing projects and module expectations beyond the training sessions. By registering, you acknowledge the allotted time to access the program and commit to meeting DSI’s vocational expectations within the specified timeframe. For mentoring inquiries, contact our staff and we will gladly assist you upon communication of questions or needs.
Each program at Doula School International, including birth doula training LIVE VIRTUAL may vary slightly in duration, and we encourage you to review these details before registering.
Please be aware that registration closes 2 days prior to the event.