Atlanta, GA – In-Person Doula Training – December 4-7, 2025

Become A Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula. Earn Your Dual Certification.

This is a 4-day (32 hour) in-person doula training for certification as both a birth doula and postpartum doula. This training is the first step, and required, to becoming a certified SMC Full Circle Doula Companion. This is a culturally competent training that honors the legacy of the 20th Century African American midwife to improve birth outcomes, increases breastfeeding rates, and creates leaders.

What Is Included

• SMC Doula Training Manual
• Orientation Packet
• SMC Full Circle Doula Provisional Certificate (On Last Day)*
• One-Year Provisional Membership to the SMC Doula Network, for ongoing support toward full certification.*
• Certification Packet*
• Added to the Find a Doula Directory*
• Membership in the SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companions Private Facebook Group, for fun networking!*

Training Schedule

DAY 1 – Thursday, 8 AM – 5:30 PM: Orientation, SMC Full Circle Doula Philosophy, African American Midwives, U.S. Doula History, and Birth Stories

DAY 2 – Friday, 8 AM – 5:30 PM: Prenatal Care, Nutrition, Herbs, Infant Mortality Prevention.

DAY 3 – Saturday, 8 AM – 5:30 PM: Labor and Delivery, Comfort Measures

DAY 4 – Sunday, 8 AM – 5:30 PM: Postpartum and Infant Care, Breastfeeding, Creating a Doula Business.

What You Will Learn

The four-day training involves learning, sharing, receiving, and creating friendships. Honoring the legacy of the African American midwife, we demonstrate how pregnancy support reduces premature births and how postpartum care prevents maternal exhaustion in the postpartum experience by using resources and hands-on and culturally competent care.

Unique topics include and extend beyond:

• Honoring the Legacy of the African American Midwife
• African Birth Traditions
• Postpartum Care & Belly Binding
• Public Health in Maternal and Infant Health
• Improving Birth Outcomes
• Doula History and the African American Doulas
• SMC Doula Scope of Care (SOC)
• Supporting Fatherhood/Partners and Family
• Pregnancy Support & Nutrition
• Medical Terminology
• Creating a Business
• Working with the Birth Team

Having a dual certification as a labor and postpartum doula is crucial to providing comprehensive care to help pregnant women throughout the reproductive cycle. Furthermore, it is the chance to give comprehensive doula care when you simultaneously learn labor and postpartum skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the training based on?

Our training draws on the centuries-old traditions of African and African American midwives and healers, that kept us connected to physiological birth and the joys of service to birthing women and their families. The training is based on the legacy of the 20th Century African American midwife, doula care, public health information, and research-based practices.

The training incorporates lectures, instructional materials, learner interactions, and hands-on learning opportunities to provide a truly holistic training experience.

Who are the instructors?

Instructors are SMC Certified Trainers who are veteran doulas and midwives. You can learn more here.

What books are needed to prepare for the course?

• SMC Full Circle Doula Philosophy, an abstract by Shafia Monroe
  Download PDF — 10-pages
  
• The Doula Guide to Birth, by Ananda Lowe and Rachel Zimmerman
• Listen to Me Good, Life Story of an Alabama Midwife,
  by Margaret Charles Smith and Linda Janet Holmes
• Mothering the Mother, Postpartum Traditions, Recipes and Healing, by Shafia Monroe.  You can order here.

These materials are available on Amazon or possibly through your local library.

All the above books and materials should be read before the first day of class.

Who can attend the training?

The only requirements to enroll in the training are that you (1) are 18 years of age or above, (2) have a high school diploma or GED (3) are interested in supporting women and families before, during, and after birth.

SMC Doulas uses women-centered language and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.

How much does the training cost?

The in-person investment of $1,748 covers the training and materials, includes a one-year SMC Provisional Doula Membership on the SMC Doula Network, and places you in our Members Only “Find A Doula” directory.

What is the value of an SMC Doula Network Provisional Doula membership?

Membership is essential for accessing your training materials and manual after the course ends, staying in touch with your cohort and others through the SMC Doulas Network, receiving support with your certification, accessing additional educational materials to further your professional development as a doula, and having the public find you through doula directory. Membership allows you to grow the doula industry and receive discounts on conferences and some webinars. Learn more here.

Please Note: Registration fees must be paid at least 30 days in advance of the first day of training.