Program Overview
Birthing families across the U.S. and the globe are looking for the emotional, informational, and evidence-based support that only a birth doula can provide. Upon completion of this program, you will feel empowered to start supporting families as a doula, as you will have in-depth knowledge of pain management techniques, labor variations and complications, newborn care, lactation support, and more.
Program Length: 32 or 36 hours - depending on the workshop format.
$725
Course Details
Doula (doo’-luh) is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. Today, the word is used to refer to a trained person who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person and their families before, during, and after childbirth.
Doulas recognize that childbirth is a transformative life experience and strive to ensure that birthing people and their families feel empowered and informed throughout the birthing process and beyond, no matter what type of birth they have.
The Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations offers the Birth Doula Skills Workshop in three different formats: 2-week, 4-week, and 12-week. We offer various formats to meet the career, certification, and learning needs of our students. Our workshops are taught by experienced, working doulas and address the same objectives, preparing you for entry-level work as a birth doula. Please see the descriptions below to choose the workshop that’s right for you:
The 36-hour, 12-week Simkin Center Birth Doula Skills Workshop is hosted as a live-remote class via Zoom. This training meets and exceeds the certification requirement for hours and content required by many certification organizations, including the prerequisite requirements for Bastyr University’s Midwifery program. This workshop meets three requirements for DONA International Birth Doula certification: the DONA-approved Birth Doula Workshop, Introduction to Childbirth Education, and Lactation for Doulas classes. The depth and breadth of this quarter-long workshop allow more time for greater application of skills and concepts in class. Please be prepared to complete 2 hours of prep work before each class. Workshop taught by Laurie Levy, MS, LMT, LCCE, CD.
The 32-hour, 2 & 4-week DONA-approved Birth Doula Skills Workshop is hosted in person at our Bastyr University facilities at the Seattle or Kenmore campus. This in-person workshop meets three requirements for DONA International Birth Doula certification: the DONA-approved Birth Doula Workshop, Introduction to Childbirth Education, and Lactation for Doulas classes. The workshop is fast-paced and intensive. Please be prepared to complete 4-6 hours of prep work before each class in addition to reading the fifth edition of The Birth Partner. Workshop taught by Kim James, BTD(DONA), ICCE, LCCE, CLE, NA-C.
The Birth Doula Skills Workshop curriculum includes:
- Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, fetal development, labor, postpartum, and breastfeeding
- Components of prenatal care and the midwifery model of care
- Emotions of pregnancy
- Pain management techniques
- Medical procedures used in labor
- Labor variations and complications, including Cesarean birth
- Communication and listening skills
- The emotional and psychological aspects of giving birth and its significance in women’s lives
- The doula’s role, professional ethics, standards of practice, and certification
- Emotional support and physical comfort measures
- Support for difficult labors, Cesarean birth, and vaginal birth after Cesarean
- Newborn care and breastfeeding support
- Values clarification and cultural sensitivity
- Includes Introduction to Childbearing
- Includes Breast/Chestfeeding for Doulas
The Birth Partner (Penny Simkin)
There will be no refund for cancellation requests made less than 30 calendar days before the start of class. The deadline to request a refund or transfer is 30 calendar days before the first day of the workshop for which you are registered. We must receive your request in writing via email. A $100 processing fee is charged on all cancellation, transfers or refunds. Only one transfer per calendar year is permitted. Returned checks will be assessed a $28 fee.
No refunds are made for any missed portions of a course, and student will not receive a certificate of completion. It may be possible to make up missed portions of a course for an additional fee of $75/day. Contact us to explore that option. Simkin Center reserves the right to cancel courses with insufficient enrollment, in which case a full refund will be granted.
You may initiate dropping a course through Canvas Catalog, however, please note policies regarding cancellations, transfers, and refunds. If you have questions regarding our registration policies, you must contact us via email or call us at 425-602-3378.
Certificates of Completion: In order to receive your certificate of completion, you must attend all workshop sessions (in-person or virtual) and complete all online learning modules before the end of the workshop. A duplicate digital copy of a certificate of completion can be provided. You will need to call our office to initiate a request for a duplicate certificate. Please call us at 425-602-3378.
