Become An SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion
This is a 4-day (32 hours) in-person doula training to earn your dual certification as a labor and postpartum doula.
- APRIL 17-20, 2025| GRESHAM, OR
Earn Your Dual Certification As Birth and Postpartum Doula
Taught By Proven Professionals
Certified, progressive and inspirational midwives and doulas from across the nation, this training will give you the foundation and skills needed to be a confident, effective and a professional doula.
Testimonials
Hear From Our Graduates
This training was everything you could dream of. It was so down to earth and really allowed us to have discussions to aid understanding. The hands-on aspect made me confident that I was ready to start the next day. It was awesome. Thank you,”
My experience with SMC full Circle Doula Training was phenomenal. The trainers were knowledgeable and easy to follow. The information I received was life-changing. My eyes have been opened to so many new possibilities for helping my family and community. |
Taking the SMC Full Circle Doula course will be marked as another unforgettable experience in my life. The course provides a wealth of knowledge from beginning to end. Thank you, Mama Shafia and care team.
Installment Payment Options
SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training offers flexible payment installment options to secure your registration for the premier SMC Online Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training.
One Payment
One Easy Payment of $1,448 (After $ 300 Discount)
Two Installments
Two Payments – $1,000 now, then $498 in 2 weeks. (Includes $50 Processing Fee)
Three Installments
Three Payments – $800 now, then $349 every 2 weeks until complete. (Includes $50 Processing Fee)
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a 4-day (32 hour) in-person doula training for dual certification as a labor 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.
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.
Lunch each day is between 12:30-1:40 PM and there are two ten (10) minute breaks each day.
Unique Topics Covered Include and Expand 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
The all-inclusive cost of this in-person training is $1,448, a $300 savings from our normal in-person training cost.
Our registration fees include both labor and postpartum doula training as well as our training manual.
We do offer convenient payment plans as well.
You will receive your hard-copy training manual on your first day of training.
We recommend dressing comfortably for floor exercises and walking. We suggest layered clothes as some training sites can be cool indoors.
Each Day
Dress comfortable for floor exercises and walking. Bring your water bottle and an exercise mat or large towel to lay on. We suggest layered clothes as some training sites and be cool indoors.
We encourage you to bring snacks, lunch, and eat a hearty breakfast.
On Friday
The Doula Walk and Talk is on Friday afternoon. It is a one-hour walk to practice outreach and it is a lot of fun. Please wear or bring walking shoes with you.
Saturday is Labor and Delivery
There are a lot of floor exercises. Please bring a yoga mat or a beach-size towel for this period of the training. We will participate in a “Mother Shower Blessing. (Bring a small gift under $5.00 to give to the pregnant mother, (if possible). The gift should be for the mother, and not the unborn baby.
Sunday
Is the herbal salve-making day. Bring a 4–6-ounce jar with a top to bring your herbal salve home. Please wear white on Sunday for your graduation picture.
- 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.
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.
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.
© 2026- SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training, LLC