BE A DOULA
BE A DOULA
Become a birth doula in one weekend
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Are You Ready to Make a Difference?
Are you dreaming about taking a birth doula training? Come spend a weekend filling your heart with all things birth! Whether you are wanting to jump into doula work immediately, someday or just want to support friends and family this workshop is for you! We also have a lot of grandparents attend so they can support their daughters/daughter-in-laws in the very best ways.
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This workshop is open to anyone with a warm heart who recognizes that birth is a key life experience. It is designed to give you the framework to support families during their birth experience. This dynamic course provides you ideas, information and inspiration to become an amazing birth doula. Graduates will be able to provide immediate labor support services to women giving birth in a hospital, birth center or at home. This often becomes the foundation upon which childbirth professionals build their career. Many midwifery programs require a doula training prior to admission. Completion of this course is an approved step toward DONA International Birth Doula Certification. This training provides 18 contact hours through DONA International.
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Our live, virtual training is relaxed and presented in a conversational style. We spend time connecting and building relationships to create a safe, brave and intentional space to explore the doula role. Every cohort brings their own experiences to the table so no two trainings are the same. And although all DONA International foundational information will be covered in every training, each class tends to gravitate to certain topics to meet their specific needs/requests (which is one of my favorite things about training!) We will not cover every slide, we will jump from topic to topic as your cohort asks questions and makes connections. I do provide copies of my presentation (in detail for easy review), a notes pdf with all resource links discussed, follow up videos on common topics to review before a birth is needed and am always available to discuss a topic at length after training, as well as our private Facebook group.
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We will explore the following topics:
Anatomy and Physiology of Birth
Identifying When to Call Providers, Go to the Hospital/Birth Center
Warning Signs
The State of Maternity Care - Birth Disparities and Inequities by Race and Ethnicity, Systemic Racism, Implicit Bias, History of Gyn.
Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions/Microinsults/Microassults
Creating Safe Spaces for Clients
Identifying LGBTQIA+ Resources
DONA International Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice
DONA International Certification
Your Doula Business - Finding clients, Networking, Identifying your Ideal Client
Prenatal Client Contact - Paperwork/Agreements/Handouts, Activities to Build Confidence and Connection
Partnering with Partners, Family, Staff, Care-providers
Emotional Support in Labor and Birth - Strategies to Stop Spiraling, Managing Emotions and
Adapting Trauma Informed Care into Doula Work; Preventing Trauma
Comfort Measures and Positioning
Supporting with an Epidural
Supporting through an Induction
Supporting through a Cesarean Birth or VBAC
Challenging Labors-What's a Doula to Do?
Welcome to the World Sweet Baby - Skin to Skin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Bonding
Early Breastfeeding Support - Setting Stage for Success
Postpartum Client Contact - Helping Client Begin to Process their Experience; Identifying Postpartum Mood Disorders
Doula-ing the Doula - Having a Soft Place to Fall
And So Much More!
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"Vanessa Flood is an excellent instructor! I have quite a bit of knowledge about all things obstetrics and feel like I learned so much more than I could have ever imagined! I thoroughly enjoyed the course and Vanessa’s friendly and knowledgeable demeanor."
Live Virtual Birth Doula Workshop
Our DONA International approved Birth Doula Weekend Workshop is the first step to becoming a DONA International Certified Doula. This training will allow you to begin work immediately as a trained birth doula. It includes 18 contact hours of dynamic instruction. We cover the above topics through a variety of experiences that give you the confidence and knowledge to support childbearing families. You will receive our DONA International Birth Doula Training Manual (digitally) and Understanding Birth and Understanding Postpartum Health/Baby Care Booklets that include a companion app for additional resources/videos and a fun care-package from me!
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I offer two additional DONA International approved classes – Intro to Childbirth for Doulas and Breastfeeding for Doula.
These classes complete your childbirth and breastfeeding class requirements for certification (if pursuing). This allows you to condense the class requirements into one long weekend. It is an easy way to check them off the list, have great background knowledge prior to the weekend training and meet fellow classmates ahead of time. The two day workshop is perfect for those who have already fulfilled their childbirth and breastfeeding class requirements, doulas from other organizations who would like to be dual-certified, birth photographers and those who lack the time commitment needed for the All Inclusive. The Two-Day Birth Doula Weekend Workshop has fee of $425. The All-Inclusive Birth Doula Workshop (with all 3 classes) has a discounted fee of $525. Upon completion (and all fees paid) you will receive your certificate(s) of attendance.
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As you venture out on your own, we are here to support you all along the way. Our continued support includes a bi-monthly certification accountability group, fellow classmate support, an active Facebook page, discounts on future advanced doula trainings/case studies to enhance your skills, referrals and professional recommendations if needed.
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If you are planning on certifying through DONA International you will receive and register your Certification Packet during training. It is valid for three years (you can purchase an extension, if needed) and you have three years to certify from this training.
For more information on certification see below:
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Our Saturday/Sunday weekend workshop runs from 8am to 6pm CST on both Saturday and Sunday (Sunday usually finishes ~6:30 after closing ceremonies). Friday's Intro to Childbirth for Doulas runs 8:30am to 6:00pm CST and our Breastfeeding for Doulas class runs Thursday night 6:00pm to 9:00pm CST. If a scheduling conflict arises, the Childbirth class and/or the Breastfeeding class can be taken at a later date.
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2025 BIRTH DOULA WORKSHOPS
This is a live, virtual training on Zoom. At the start of the pandemic I moved my workshops online. All activities were reworked on the virtual platform so this valuable training could continue. Initially apprehensive, we quickly learned that any space a group of passionate persons occupy--- magic will happen! Between the group brainstorms, break outs, chats, and collaborative whiteboards. we laugh, cry, share experiences, make new friends and fill our hearts full of all things birth! This new found accessibility- without extra expense of travel/childcare/etc- gave persons all over the US and the world access to a respected, high quality DONA International birth doula training. And this has resulted in a richer and more diverse birth landscape.​​​​​
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2025 DATES
Thursday Night (Breastfeeding Class), Friday Day (Childbirth Class), Saturday/Sunday Day (Birth Doula Training)
*Breastfeeding and Childbirth Class can be taken at anytime
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APRIL 3 - APRIL 6 [FULL - WAITLIST]
MAY 29 - JUNE 1 [FULL-WAITLIST]
NOVEMBER 6 - 9​​​
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Any registration received will receive a link to our private Facebook Page for a jump start on certification tasks and setting up your business. So after you take a workshop you will be all ready to doula immediately after, if desired.
Have more questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions below for answers!
Keep Me on the List!
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Can my partner, mom, best friend attend class with me?"You are welcome to share materials with your support family so everyone is on the same page for labor, newborn care and breastfeeding. Especially great for grandparents! And when we resume in person classes--Anyone who will be supporting you through labor is welcome to attend!
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Private class vs Hospital class***Currently during the Covid-19 pandemic all local KC metro hospitals have suspended in hospital classes. As a previous Advent health instructor my classes are hospital approved, evidence based and consumer orientated.*** In person, private classes will resume when it is safe to do so. My prioriity is the safety of your family and mine. When a vaccine is available for the sars-covi-2 virus I will be vaccinated to help protect my community with herd immunity. My private class allows you to be in the comfort of our own home. Information is tailored to you and your needs. We can usually cover all material that would be covered in the hospital class iin a shorter time. Sometimes it is easier to ask more personal questions in a one on one setting especially if you have any special circumstances surrounding this pregnancy--- loss of partner, known abnormality, high risk, etc. I have educated and supported many clients through through difficult circumstances. You may also want to maintain a level of personal privacy if you are a public figure. All clients are kept confidential. Others like the group class option so they can hear others questions. comments and meet new people. Classes usually span 4-5 weeks or have a 1 day option. Some enjoy taking the time of weekly classes to focus on there pregnancy with their partner. The hospital class usually has a hospital tour. You will learn about their standard procedures and basic labor coping skills, along with medication use. If taking a private class you can schedule a private tour, go on a monthly tour or tour at your preadmit appointment. My classes are the same as when I taught in a hospital setting and wrote their curriculum. Knowing you have an consumer based class leaves you empowered to make the best choices for you and your family.
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When should I take a class?Ideally I would finish up at least a month before you are do. If anything unexpected comes up in your last few week you can call me. We can discuss what is happening, I will walk you through the different scenerios and give you more questions for your provider. And, of course, I always like to hear all about your baby day! If pregnant with multiples I recommend you take a class early in your pregnancy. Discussing nutrition (ways to meet caloric needs when you always feel full). how to recognize early labor symptoms, making sure you and your provider are on the same page for birth, checking the NICU levels of your hospital, etc. And you are more comfortable!
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When can we schedule class?Our current private, virtural hybrid class allows you to review material through our interactive book and app. You can then schedule a phone or video call at your convenience to review material and tailor it to your family. I am available days, evenings and weekends. (Lot's of time while we shelter in!)
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I am planning on an epidural. Do I need a class?It can be very helpful. Understanding hospital admission procedures, triage, pre-requirements for the epidural, how to minimize unwanted effects, maximum beneficial effects will all be covered in class. Having basic comfort measure techniques can help make the early part of your labor much more manageable and less anxious. Epidurals can be great tools for helping your baby decend and speeding up your labor when timed correctly. And regardless of intent I cover all aspects of labor and the hospital so you feel prepared to navigate your birth!
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I am planning on a low intervention birth. Can you help?Yes! We will lay down a game plan for birth, demonstrate positions and comfort measures, give your partners lots of ideas on how to help you focus; work on reframing your thoughts and giving you full support! And regardless of focus, I do believe in covering all aspects of birth and the hospitals so you feel prepared to navigate your birth! Especially as support people are limited to 1 in all current KC metro hospitals.
