In-Person Doula Training: Dec 7-10,2023

About the Training

This is a 4-day (32 hours) in-person doula training for dual certification as a labor and postpartum doula. This training is the first step, and required, to become a certified SMC Full Circle Doula Companion. This is culturally competent training that honors the legacy of the 20th Century African American midwife to improve birth outcomes, increase breastfeeding, and build leadership.

Training Schedule

DAY 1 – Thursday, 10 AM – 6:30 PM: Orientation, SMC Full Circle Doula Philosophy, African American Midwives, U.S. Doula History.

DAY 2 – Friday, 9 AM – 6:30 PM: Prenatal Care, Nutrition, Herbs, Infant Mortality Prevention.

DAY 3 – Saturday, 9 AM – 6:30 PM: Labor and Delivery, Comfort Measures

DAY 4 – Sunday, 9 AM – 6:30 PM: Postpartum and Infant Care, Breastfeeding, Creating a Doula Business.

What You Will Learn

The 4-Day training is packed full of learning, sharing, receiving, and creating friendships. Honoring the legacy of the African American midwife we demonstrated how pregnancy support reduces premature births and how postpartum care prevents maternal exhaustion in the postpartum experience, by using resources, hands-on and culturally competent care.

Unique Topics include and extend beyond

African birth traditions and postpartum rituals
Public health in maternal and infant health
Reducing maternal morbidity
Improving birth outcomes
Causes of maternal mortality
The legacy of the 20th century African American midwife
Supporting fatherhood/partners and family
Belly binding and wrapping
Postpartum baths
Herbs and nutrition
Medical terminology
SMC Doula Scope of Care
Advocacy and empowerment
Systemic Racism in perinatal care
Professionalism and leadership
Traditional Midwifery model of Care

Practice from Cultural Knowledge

Having a dual certification as a labor and postpartum doula is crucial to provide comprehensive care to help a pregnant person throughout the reproductive cycle. And learning labor and postpartum skills simultaneously makes it applicable to real-life experiences when working as a provisional doula.

FAQ

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, 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 topics will be covered?

Unique Topics Covered Include:

African American birth traditions and postpartum rituals
Public health in maternal and infant health
Improving birth outcomes
Reducing maternal morbidity
Learning the causes of maternal mortality
Honoring the legacy of the 20th century African American midwife
Supporting fatherhood/partners and family
Belly binding
Postpartum baths
Herbs and nutrition
Medical terminology
SMC Doula Scope of Care
Advocacy and empowerment
Systemic Racism in Birth
Professionalism and leadership
Midwifery model of Care

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

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.

Where are the in-person trainings?

For 2023, we have in-person trainings scheduled in the following cities:

June 15-18, 2023 – Richmond, VA (Glen Allen)

December 7-10, 2023 – Portland, OR

How much does the training cost?

The fee for SMC’s Full Circle Doula Companion online training course is currently $ 1,468.

Are payment plans available?

Online Training:

Single Payment of $1468
Two Weekly Installments of $734 per week
Three Weekly Installments of $489.33 per week
Four Weekly Installments of $367 per week

Are scholarships or financial aid available?

We currently do not offer financial aid or scholarships, however, for our online training, we do offer payment plans that can help you spread out the course fees over 2, 3, or 4 weeks.