"Outstanding! I felt blessed to be guided in the manner that I was, and feel prepared to assist family and friends in their future birthing experiences."
"I liked how all you doulas seem to glow with the love of what you do! This was a great training. Thank you for your energy, humor, honesty and experience. It was a very safe and educational environment."
"Patience is [the instructors’] virtue – [they are] natural, frank, careful, honest, informal; yet very professional."
"I came [to the workshop as a step] toward becoming a labor and delivery nurse, and came out with a whole new outlook on career path. The compassion for laboring women and desire to promote a safe, natural birth is to be admired. The workshop philosophy has touched me deeply and is one I will carry and advocate for in my future career as a professional caregiver as well as a future mother."
"I appreciate the integrity of the doula program … It’s not about (the doula), it’s about the client. What does my client want? I see such an unselfish approach – I want to learn how to do that myself. The standard is so high and professional."
"… a wonderful experience. The wisdom shared by the women at the training all came together to form educated, informed, strong, positive doulas. I am confident I will be able to enhance the birth experience for women. I am enlightened to the fact different women make different choices that work for them. I learned to respect that and be non- judgmental. I highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in childbirth."
"… the workshop prepared me to practice. This course felt like a PhD in doula training. I feel so empowered."
"I came into this class with an ego (some self-righteous pride about being a doula). Two days later I am leaving deeply touched, humbled and changed. You are inspiring. Bless you!"
"Teachers are passionate about what they do and it was very inspiring. I can’t wait to get started!"
"The combination of [instructors] was awesome as each lent her own perspective and bag of tricks to the instruction. I got a new understanding of how normal birthing is. I will be able to pass these concepts on to the women I work with."
"[The] teaching style with visual props to keep [the] audience's attention made class interactive and fun … an easy and open learning environment. A nine-hour day can feel long, but I never felt anxious for the clock to move faster. I was intrigued by the abundance of material presented. It is obvious [the instructor’s] heart is open and giving – a doula's calling. Students are lucky to have you as [and instructor] and families to have you as a doula and childbirth educator."
"[Instructors] brought varying perspectives and I really appreciated that. The one thing I will take with me is that being a doula is ultimately about the woman ... her family ... her baby. Sharing in her vision ... her ideal birth scenario ... Doulas are there to support her and provide the best information (if wanted) to help make the best decision for herself in her vision of birth. This birth vision [varies] from woman to woman. [Doulas] are the constant, the listening rock."
"The [workshop] gave me the foundation to support and empower women as they go through the both joyful and often difficult experience of becoming mothers. We worked on listening … and discussed what it means to be present, and to recognize our own experiences and biases so we can put them [aside]. We focused on how thoughtful questioning helps lead mothers to discover their own concerns and priorities."
"As an Anglo doula serving recent immigrants from Latin America, I found there is often very little I share with my clients in terms of understanding of birth or cultural background. However, through reflective listening we build connections [based on] respect. The [Simkin Center workshop] focuses on honoring the experiences of mothers. Honoring each other’s lived realities, no matter how different they are from our own, is an invaluable skill."
"I hope that more women from all walks of life complete the [workshop] … Supporting women to become mothers is [working] for society as a whole. Listening to mothers is a way I make change. It is a step that has enriched my life, and as I put… the learning into practice, I have guidance and support from the classmates, friends and mentors I met during those four days."
"I came to this course to fulfill a requirement and to gain knowledge of this field. I [leave] informed, empowered, engaged in my choice to provide service and with a connection to this process which helped me to heal my own issues surrounding my birth. I am sure you hear this countless times, but I will say it anyway: Simkin Center is an asset! [The instructors] are role models, angels, and revolutionaries!"
"Thank you seems inadequate, yet I am thankful to have been the recipient of the enthusiasm, experience, wisdom and heart that you all have put into this workshop. To see the doula spirit in action like this is an amazing way to begin our journey."
