DONA International Birth Doula Workshops


Doula Love offers DONA International/ OHA Approved Birth Doula Workshops, Doula Mentorships, and a variety of continuing education.

What is covered in a Doula Love Birth Doula Workshop?

Day One

Introduction to Childbirth - Learn the basics of the childbirth process and how are maternity care system is caring for birthing people in the 21st century.

Day Two to Four

Birth Doula Skills - Learn the scope of practice of doula care. Evidence-based information is the foundation of our DONA International and OHA Approved Workshops.

Day Five

Foundation of Lactation 101 - This is an introductory (yet in depth), 7-hour lactation management course for professionals that support new families.

Upcoming Workshops & Continuing Education

What are the prerequisites to attending a Workshop?

  1. Please watch this video before the start of the workshop - How racism harms pregnant women -- and what can help

  2. Please take the RACE IAT, Second page - https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatouchtest.htm

  3. Please Read – “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin 5th

  4. Go to DONA.org to get familiar and click on “Join DONA” in the top right corner to create your free account.

FAQs

  • Workshops Currently offered in Portland, OR, Bend, OR, Seattle, WA and Virtually. If you would like to bring a workshop to your area please reach out on our contact form.

  • Currently the cost of the workshop is $875.00.

  • The answer is no. Our workshops are one step toward DONA International Certification and Oregon Health Authority .

  • Prerequisite–

    1. Please watch this video before the start of the workshop - How racism harms pregnant women -- and what can help

    2. Please take the RACE IAT, Second page - https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatouchtest.htm

    3. Please Read – “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin 5th

  • Yes! Starting in October of 2022 OHA required that all doula workshops be approved by OHA. Doula Love Birth Doula Workshop is approved by the OHA.

  • The short answer is no. If you want to bill medicaid for Doula Services you are required to be certified through the OHA.

  • The Doula Love Refund Policy: A full refund, minus a $150.00 processing fee will be given upon request at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of class. If the request for refund is made after the 2 week deadline no refund will be issued, at that time. Student may transfer fee to a future class if available.

  • We offer both - Our Hybrd Classes are Our are 5 days. The first 4 days are In-Person and the 5th day is a virtual zoom class with Krystal Key, IBCLC. We also offer Virtual Workshops a few times a year.

  • Our workshops include - Intro to Childbirth+DONA Doula Workshop+Foundation of Lactation 101. This covers all the class requirements for your DONA Birth Doula Certification.

    OHA Certification requires additional courses.

    1. Certificates of Attendance for Cultural Competency Trainings (6 hrs)

    2. Certificate of Attendance for Oral Health Training -

    3. Certificates of Attendance for trauma-informed care (4 hrs), HIPAA, and/or interprofessional collaboration

    4. Proof of current CPR certification for children and adults

    Find free and low cost options here.

  • Scholarship Information

    Since 2013 Doula Love has offered one full scholarship to every DONA International Birth Doula Workshop for an individual who is part of the BIPOC community, located in the Portland Metro Area (or the Metro Area Workshop is Located) and is pursuing Oregon State Doula Certification in hopes of becoming a THW and providing care to families who qualify for doula care through Medicaid.

    Who Qualifies:

    1. You self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC), Asian, Hispanic/Latine or first generation immigrant

    2. You are committed to working with BIPOC and under-resourced communities

    3. You are committed to becoming a Oregon Certified Doula within one year

    4. You are experiencing financial hardship

    If you feel like you qualify please reach out for more information.

  • Yes we do. Please fill out our contact form with the dates of the workshop you wish to attend and the dates and amounts you would like to make your payments.

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Academic Commitment

    DONA International Anti-Racism Strategies within the Doula Profession

    Doula Love Training Center - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

    The term doula was first used in a 1969 anthropological study conducted by Dana Raphael in the 1970s.[20] The “Doula Profession” began in the United States in the 1970’s as the natural birth movement took hold. Birthing families found themselves lacking community support as birth became more medicalized. In 1992, Doulas of North America (later DONA International) was co-founded by Klaus, Kennell, Phyllis Klaus, Penny Simkin, and Annie Kennedy, becoming the first organization to train and certify doulas.[25][26] The organization with the backing of the research of Klaus and Kennell helped lend credibility and professionalize doulas.[27]

    Women have dominated the doula workforce in the United States. As “women's” work the doula profession has always struggled with becoming a “legitimate profession and receiving equitable pay.

    Doula Love Training Center (DLTC) is dedicated to supporting the growth of the doula profession. Our number one goal is to make the doula profession a viable career option for all professional and community based doulas. We believe that by supporting equitable pay for doulas it will prevent early burn out in the profession. This will allow us to grow a workforce that can truly change birth outcomes for all birthing individuals in the United States with the largest impact needed in the Black Maternal Mortality and Morbidity rates . At DLTC we prioritize diversity among the doula profession and are dedicated to training and supporting the professional growth of historically marginalized groups*. Although the DLTC is located in Portland Metro Area ( See our Land Acknowledgment Below) we have a special interest in training professional and community based doulas in rural communities of Oregon and Washington.

    * We define historically marginalized groups as anyone who has experienced inequities as a result of their class, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, nationality, disability, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or age. We recognize that this list is not comprehensive and strive to prioritize all groups that experience inequities as a result of how they identify or are identified by others. https://www.racialequitytools.org/glossary

    * Community-based doulas work with underserved communities (racial, ethnic, linguistic, LGBTQ+, and/or lived experience (addictions, homelessness, DV/IPV, teen pregnancy, refugee, military, incarcerated, etc.) of which they are often members of to provide a sense of cultural humility that fosters trust and strengthens relationships between the doula and their client. The services provided are often low cost, and expand in the amount of support offered compared to traditional doulas and consider physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs. Services include an increased amount of home visits, preparation for the birthing experience, education, guidance navigating health care systems, language support, screening for mental health, and food security needs.[87]

    Additionally, community-based doula models provide insight in the creation of policies that will support those families and underserved communities.[87] These doulas also actively engage policy makers by recommendations on certification and Medicaid coverage, integration into medical care, and participating on advisory boards.[88] ( Wikipedia Definition)

Doula Love Training Center Resource List

A birth worker’s pursuit of knowledge should never end. Explore our extensive resource list.

THW Certification, Cultural Humility Resources, Human Rights and Birth, BIPOC Specific Resources, Full Spectrum Resources, Trauma Informed Care, LGBTQ+ Resources, Plus Size Resources, Neurodiversity, Bussiness, Supporting Military Families and so much more!!

What are people saying ?

  • “I did my DONA birth doula training as well as the 6 month mentorship with the Doula Love Training Center. Wendy is an amazing and knowledgeable teacher who strives to help doulas on their path in birthwork. Joining the mentorship was the best thing I've done for my career so far. Not only did it give me practical skills for attending births, but it also gave me guidance on how to start my business in a way that is sustainable for me and my family. I recommend Doula Love's trainings and mentorships to anyone that wants to get into doula work.”

    • Morgan Corona, Mentorship Graduate

  • “Wendy taught very effectively and confidently. The information was organized and up to date. She allowed ample time for questions.”

    • Doula Workshop Participant

  • “I trained as a birth doula with Wendy in June 2020, and it was fabulous. I learned so much during the 5 days! Then I went on to join the 6 month mentorship that Doula Love offers. It was just the spring board I needed to launch my doula career. I am now fully booked out for months in advance, feel very well trained and mentored, and have had so much success and happy clients. I highly recommend Wendy and everything that Doula Love has to offer!”

    • Jill Pullen, Mentorship Graduate

  • “Wendy is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work and is excited to share what she knows! I learned a lot of useful information that is practical and relevant!”

    • Doula Workshop Participant

  • “I did my doula love training with Doula Love and loved it so much I decided to be apart of there mentorship! Wendy is so great! The mentorship helped me put my foot in the birth world and realize I was on the correct path. I highly recommend taking there classes and gaining great experience”

    • Olivia Poling, Mentorship Graduate

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