Professional Education with Birthing Gently

Tara Poulin is a DONA (Doulas of North America) certified Doula, and has trained with DONA co-founder, Penny Simkin, to become a Doula trainer. She is currently offering the following three day workshops to train professional labor assistants.

Please check back frequently as dates are subject to change without notice!


Recommendations: Birthing Gently Strongly recommends reading the following books prior to the workshop. Recommended areas of focus should include:
  • Stages and Phases of Labor ( A basic understanding of the physical and emotional changes ). Suggested reading: Pregnancy Childbirth & the Newborn by Penny Simkin
  • Medication Options (Systemic & Anesthetics for Birth). Suggested reading: Easy Labor by Dr. William Camann
Please note: For those with no prior birth experience, we do start off at a very basic level.

Course Information
Class hours typically run Friday evening, and all day Sat/Sun, however these hours may vary by workshop depending upon the availability of the meeting space. Please contact us directly to inquire about a particular workshop listed below and the exact hours.

For the complete list of birth Doula certification requirements please visit www.dona.com

Private workshops and weekday workshops can be arranged upon request. Please contact us for further information about this option.

DAY ONE: Introduction to childbirth for new doula’s course - Day one fills the requirement for DONA International's Observation of a Childbirth Preparation series. Topics to be covered: Basic anatomy & physiology of pregnancy, stages and phases of labor, medications options, discomforts of pregnancy, and all general topics covered within a childbirth education class.

DAY TWO:  Introduction to Labor Support - Level I
Presents the dynamics of labor and birth, how to be a skilled companion during childbirth, and how to soothe and comfort a laboring woman. Topics to be covered: Introduction to labor support, Prenatal contact between Doula and client, Emotional support, comfort measures, business aspects of a Doula practice.
 
DAY THREE:  Basic Doula Training - Level 2
Covers in-depth labor support strategies, the role of the Doula within the medical framework, guidelines for pre and postnatal contact with clients, how to deal with problem labors and unexpected outcomes, how to contribute to breastfeeding success, and specific tips for setting up practice as a Doula. Topics to be covered: Cesarean Section, VBAC, Postpartum contact between Doula and client, difficult labors, The newborn and breastfeeding.

COST:
of the three day workshop $450.00. This includes your DONA manual and all other necessary items for workshop. Please note snacks and meals are on your own. We recommend that you register early, class space is limited. For an easier learning experience our Power Point Presentation Slides used during class have been printed and will be included in your workshop binder.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Credit card (Paypal): Click on the buttons under the workshop you are interested in attending (scroll down this page), fill out form and submit payment through Paypal. Please note that classes are listed at the bottom of this page. (Your Pay-Pal Payment will count as your registration. Please be sure to include your contact information, such as name, address, and email address. )
* You do not have to be a member of Pay-Pal to use Pay-Pal services.
Check / Money order :  Print out registration form (click here) and mail with payment.

REFUND POLICY:
Students must be paid in full prior to workshop. Refunds are only given as a result of a workshop being canceled.

OUR CANCELATION POLICY:

Please note that workshops held outside of New England are subject to cancellation based on low enrollment ( less than ten students). If a scheduled workshop must be canceled, we will notify you no less then 14 days prior to the scheduled workshop. A full refund will be provided to you upon cancellation of a scheduled workshop.

CONFORMATION LETTER: Once payment has been received in full, you will receive a confirmation letter by email (Please be sure to provide a valid email address during registration process). This will include a receipt for payment, directions to the workshop location, and an outline of the daily events. This packet should arrive no later than two weeks before the scheduled workshop date (Packet will arrive later if registration is completed later).  IMPORTANT INFO: Workshop conference space is not usually confirmed until close to the workshop date, this is due to students who register last minute and trying to get a final count. We also understand students need to make travel arrangements and may need exact location information as soon as possible, please call or email us anytime as we may have this information prior to the conformation letters going out.

If you have ANY questions regarding the Doula Training, please email us at doula@birthinggently.com

Purchase our Doula Documentation Starter Packet    
*Please note these documents are not required for certification purposes or for our workshops, these documents are optional and are intended for Doulas starting a birth Doula service*
For $75.00 you will receive an email with a Microsoft word attachment containing all of the required business documents. These are the exact same documents we use here at Birthing Gently. Our company information has been removed and space has been left at the top of each document so you may insert your prices,logo and contact information. Our documents are broken up into individual forms so you will know when to start and stop during each encounter from the initial contact through the postpartum period, this will help with time management!

*Initial Client Contact form
*What to include in the Interview packet
*Detailed Doula/Client agreement
*Prenatal Questionnaire form
*Prenatal Phone Log
*Labor & Delivery Record form
*Postpartum Follow up form
*Client evaluation form
*Ways to promote your Doula practice
*TIPS - a guide on how to use our forms and some important tips.

 
 Upcoming Dates:
Atlanta, GA
September 17th, 18th, 19th 2010


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Manhattan, NY
October 1st, 2nd, 3rd 2010


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Amherst, MA
October 15th, 16th, 17th 2010


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Saint Louis, MO
November 5th, 6th, 7th 2010


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Bridgton, ME
November 13th and 14th 2010
Please call Birthwise Midwifery School to register: 207-647-5968

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Haverhill, MA
December 10th, 11th, 12th 2010


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Portland, ME
January 15th and 16th 2011
Please call Birthroots to register: 207-772-4784

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New York, NY
January 28th, 29th, 30th 2011


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Haverhill, MA
February 4th, 5th, 6th 2011


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Providence, RI
February 18th, 19th, 20th 2011


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Manchester, NH
March 11th, 12th, 13th 2011


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Charlotte, NC
March 25th, 26th, 27th 2011


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Boston, MA
April 8th, 9th, 10th 2011


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New York, NY
April 15th, 16th, 17th 2011


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Portland, ME
June 11th and 12th 2011
Please call Birthroots to register: 207-772-4784

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New York, NY
September 16th, 17th, 18th 2011


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Manchester, NH
December 16th, 17th, 18th 2011


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Portland, ME
January 21st and 22nd 2012
Please call Birthroots to register: 207-772-4784

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Portland, ME
June 9th and 10th 2012
Please call Birthroots to register: 207-772-4784

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