How will taking this training help me become a Postpartum doula?
You will learn how to effectively support and guide a new parent through the first weeks and months of life.
You will learn how to value yourself when you invest in yourself, to create a career that you not only can make money at but also help change peoples lives.
You will learn how to know what a client needs and help them find the direction they want to go to be the kind of parent they want to be.
What you need to know about mental health, postpartum depression, and how our system makes it hard for families to get the care they need. And you will know how to help them out of it.
You will be able to help clients navigate the postpartum period, their moods, what is happening physically to them and the baby, how to stay connected and how to do so with informed choice knowing what their rights are.
Common challenges with clients and working in the system we have and how to work through them.
How systemic racism plays a huge part in our societies maternal and infant mortality rate.
You will understand how to emotionally support the new family and guide them to the knowledge they need in a safe and comfortable environment as they become new parents.
You will learn what concerns parents should have and how to spot them and get the help they need for themselves and their babies.
You will understand how to effectively help parents understand their normal newborn and infant behavior, reduce their stress and anxiety and support their children in a kind compassionate way.
How to have fun and connect with other birthworkers with lots of laughter and maybe some tears as you learn how to change the world one family at a time.
Ready to join us?
What is needed for this training:
You just need to have a passion for the postpartum period and want to help families through this crucial time in their life. There are no prerequisites and no requirements of college or background in postpartum care.
Where and how long is this training:
Depending on which training you sign up for this training can be in person, Live via zoom, or prerecorded and done at your pace online. We are based out of Florida however, we travel and train in person all over the country! From Alaska, to Hawaii, Florida , California and the northeast! If you don’t see a location close to you or that you want to travel to, message us to find out how we can come to you.
The In person training is 16 hours, the virtual ones vary depending on class size and if you are doing it at your own pace!
What is included in this training:
This training will include a teaching breast, handouts to use with clients, and a goodie bag of things that will help you in your practice. As well as CEU’s and a certificate of attendance.
What does this class cover?
Module One
Where to Start as a Postpartum Doula
You will learn Ethics and scope of practice for the birth professional. So that you know what you can and cannot do or say. We will go over Helpful hints for test taking and certification. And understand why Inclusivity matters.
You’ll understand the importance of postpartum doulas and the benefits we offer new families and the society as a whole.
Module Two
Understanding the First Few Weeks Postpartum
Basics! Just the basics! Understanding what is normal and what is cause for concern for the parents and the baby. Normal newborn appearance, common concerns, instincts what a newborn expects from its parents.
Module Three
What is the best way to help the new family?
From making food, to doing laundry , to washing windows! What is expected and what isn’t? What is within the normal job description of a postpartum doula and how to decide for ourselves what we are comfortable with. Day time hours or overnight work? How do they differ?
We also will go over how to involve partners and support people effectively. A big deal to most new families.
Module Four
Postpartum Challenges
We will discuss the emotional side of birth and postpartum and the impact our mental state can effect labor and birth. We will discuss effective ways to help sooth and calm babies and how to teach parents what to look for. Breastfeeding and formula feeding basics, what your role is as a doula in this process? Culture and how it can affect the pregnant families.
We will talk about Challenging outcomes and birth trauma. It is important to know how to best guide people when they have things happen that are challenging. Including Postpartum depression and what we should be doing to help.
Module Five
Rights & Responsibilities
One of the most important things to cover, Informed choice and denial. What about Inherent rights of families? Racial disparities are real. How can we help?
You will also learn the importance of teaching evidence based information and how it impacts the families in our communities.
Module Six
Creating a Safe Place
How do we create a safe place for our clients and their families to grow and become the parents they want to be? We will talk about skills you can gain, options you have and how to create that connection to build that safe place. That safe place is where healing begins. We call have the ability to offer it. We just need to learn how.
Module Seven
Business Structure
There are so many ways to run this part of your business! Days and/or nights? We will discuss pricing and packages and help you consider what will work best for you in how you want to do your own work.
Do you have other skill sets you want to also add to the business? What would that look like? We will help you figure it out.
Module Eight
Business Matters
Now you have taken the class and going to pass the test! Officially a doula and ready to move into the world and make change for those new parents who need you while making money at the same time!
We will discuss contracts and how to create them, understanding the back workings of running your own business vs working for an agency or others. Find out what is going to work best for you to move forward in your business and help change the lives of so many families.
Frequently Asked Questions
about postpartum doula training, birthwork, & more
Questions about the postpartum doula training:
The Postpartum Doula training is 16 hours at minimum when doing an in person training. Virtual and at your own pace will depend on the participants.
This training teaches you the basics about how to be a postpartum doula. When you leave the class you will know about the immediate postpartum period for parents and how to help clients through it, and the first steps in starting a business. Once you are done with the class you can immediately start working as a trained Postpartum doula.
There are many options for postpartum doula work. Working nights, vs working days. There are a wide variety of clients you can help and focus on. Single parents, parents who have depression or anxiety, those with multiple kids or this being their first. They all need support. Support can look different to everyone. This is a great addition to any of the other classes to understand the postpartum period of new parents.
We offer both Private mentoring and online virtual mentoring. Virtual mentoring is a go at
your own pace set of modules that are added to every year. Private mentoring can be purchased in packages and are based on the time that Ruth has available. Enquire directly with us to find out costs and availability.
Absolutely. I often have people who aren’t sure if they will even be able to do this work and if it is a good time for them. You can reach out and let us know your concerns and we will help brainstorm with you and make sure you understand everything. It is important you feel safe and understood when signing up for such an important workshop.
General questions about trainings with Ruth:
Once your registration is complete, if you haven’t paid online you will be contacted to pay how it works for you. Once paid, you will get a welcome letter with details about the course within a week as well as what you need to know before the course.
We travel and train all over the country. We have gone to Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Georgia, Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Connecticut and New York! We are always looking to expand!
You can check the schedule if there is something close to you, if there isn’t and you want to bring a training to your area, reach out to the office and let them know what training you are looking at, your location and if you have an idea when you would like the training to come to you.
Yes. Currently, we offer four different options to take the training.
1) In person at different locations around the country
2) Virtual training done via Zoom
3) Prerecorded trainings where you watch videos at your own pace
4) Private training where you schedule with the trainer virtually or in person when it works for both of you.
Questions about the cost of the postpartum doula training:
Community Calling Inc is a non-profit 501 (c )3 that when funding is available offers full or partial scholarships. Sometimes we have funding specific for BIPOC, Military, Location based etc.
If we don’t have funding at the time, you are put on a waiting list until some arrives. If you are in need, you can go to www.communitycallinginc.org.
Yes we do. You can apply with Paypal for financing, as well as Affirm and Klarna. If you need a specific payment plan, please reach out. Take note, ALL payment plans must be paid before the beginning of class.
We offer 25% off for all BIPOC in any location of any workshop type who need the discount.
We frequently run specials around holidays, refer a friend, sign up for more than one class at a time, early bird options and more. If you have questions please check in with us to see if we have any specials at the time.
Questions about postpartum doula certification:
Certification with us is as easy as taking a test. That is all that is required. After each workshop, you are sent a link for the test which is done online. You have to pass with an 80% or higher for certification. If you fail, you can retake the test for a small fee.
We believe that getting out there and getting hands on experience is the best way to learn about this work. So the sooner you start working, the more you will learn. We offer mentoring to help you along the way and a group online to ask questions in a safe place.
At this time, we do not require recertification. Once you are certified you keep the certification unless you have a grievance filed with us and we find you were out of line. Unless regulation becomes mandated and I am required to change that rule, it will stay this way.
We do however highly recommend that you do Continuing education to stay up to date in the profession and your line of work.
Absolutely. If you are trained or certified with another organization, you can cross certify with any of our programs at 50% off (proof of prior training required).
What do I do if I have more questions?
Always reach out and ask. It is important to us that you are comfortable with us and you know your voice matters and is heard when taking any of our workshops.