Since the beginning of time, women have supported women through labor and birth.  As a doula, you will have the honor of witnessing and supporting your sisters during a profound and intimate time.  As an ally to women in motherhood, you will be helping to create and strengthen your community by increasing the number of healthy mothers and families. Your role providing support and holding sacred space for women as they birth their babies is also instrumental in improving maternal and infant outcomes.  Over the course of the 20th century, the time-honored tradition in which women attended women during childbirth has been replaced by an overwhelming reliance on expensive and ineffective technology.  These interventions have not always served to improve infant and maternal outcomes.  Doula support has been proven to turn this tide!
       When a woman has a skilled doula in attendance of her birth, the benefits are many. They include but are not limited to:

 

Effects on Birth Outcomes:

• Labors are 25% shorter

• There are fewer complications

• Cesarean rates are reduced by 50%

• There is 40% less need for oxytocin to speed up labor

• Need for forceps is reduced by 40%

• Women request 30% less pain medication and 60% fewer epidurals

• Effects on the Mother:

• Greater satisfaction with their birth experience

• More positive assessments of their babies

• Less postpartum depression

Effects on the Baby:

• Babies have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries

• Babies breastfeed more easily

• Mothers are more affectionate to their babies postpartum

• Effects on the Health Care System

• The cost of obstetrical care is dramatically reduced

• Women are pleased with the personalized care doulas offer

 

The benefit of continuous support in labor is recognized by:

• The World Health Organization

• The Medical Leadership Council (an organization of over 1200 U.S. hospitals)

• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

 

         

 

         The entire cost of the training is $800.  These costs cover the workshop fee, breakfast and lunch during the three day course, course materials and our review of all evaluation forms, book reports, and labor support paperwork.  Please note that your deposit of $400 ($450 if you are also attending Pam England's workshops) must be submitted by October 1st, 2017 to ensure your spot.  We expect complete payment by the start of the weekend workshop. Individuals who pay in full before October 1st, 2017 will receive a $50 discount.
           A $150 processing fee will be deducted for cancellations, but this fee will be waived if you choose to apply your deposit to a future Taos Homebirth and Midwifery Certified Doula and Advanced Labor Support Course.  Please contact the office directly with any questions or special circumstances.
           We do expect completion of the Birth Doula Certification Packet within 2 years from your workshop date.  If you think that this will be difficult for you to accomplish, please do notify us so that we may assist you in problem solving and completing your requirements.
          Please note that book costs and possible childbirth education attendance expenses are not covered in the above fees. The student is responsible for these.

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• Completion of Taos Homebirth and Midwifery Certified Birth Doula and Advanced Labor Support Workshop and sign-off of Workshop Completion Form

• Observation of one childbirth education series (4 class minimum) taught by a Certified Childbirth Educator, Licensed Midwife, CPM or Nurse.   Many communities offer free childbirth classes, but there is a slight chance that you may have to pay extra for this so will have to check with the instructor beforehand.   Sign-off of Childbirth Education Form

• Completion of 5 books from the reading list and a book report on each

• Paper on the History & Importance of Labor Support (1000 words)

• 8 births, at least one in each of the following settings: home, hospital, birth center. In the case of a c-section, you are not required to be present in the operating room, but great if you can be!

                   For each of your 8 births you must submit:
                                  Birth Doula: Self Evaluation Form
                                  Birth Doula: Parental Evaluation Form from a mother, father or other  friend/relative in         attendance at the birth
                                 Birth Doula: Professional Evaluation Form from obstetrician, midwife or other birth professional in attendance
                                Permission for Release of Information
                                Labor Progress Form

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Day # 1 :Birth Story
Registration & Introductions: your birth story
A History of Birth: women supporting women, antiquity through the present
The Psychology of the Birthing Woman: creating sacred space to support her
Normal Physiological Labor & Birth: stages of labor and the doula’s role
The Birth Plan
Taking Care of Mama: meeting her needs from moment to moment
Tricks of the Trade: doula skills unveiled

Day # 2: The Art of the Doula
Support in Any Setting: have hands will travel
Medical language for Birth: becoming familiar with a foreign language
Pharmacology: understanding the common effects on labor and birth medications
  Extra support: immediate postpartum complications and issues
Doulaing the Caesarean Section
Doulaing through Loss and Grief   

 

Day # 3: Growing Your Doula Business
Breastfeeding: how to best support the lactating mother
The Doula’s bag: tools of the trade
The Doula’s appointments: making yourself available
Marketing and Business Tools of the Doula
Collaborative Relationships: relating to other birthing professionals in your community
 

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