Birth Doula Workshops
BABS offers birth doula workshops twice a year, generally once in the spring and once in the fall. The workshop fulfills one requirement towards becoming a DONA International-certified birth doula. These workshops are taught by experienced birth doulas and are approved by DONA International. The cost of the workshop is $400 ($375 if you have taken Exploring Birth Work).
Please contact Molly Mendota (molly@bloomingtonbirth.org) for information about upcoming doula workshops.
For more information about DONA International and the certification process, go to www.dona.org.
Other Workshops
Exploring Birth Work
Think you might be interested in becoming a doula but want to make sure before you sign up for the workshop? BABS offers an “Exploring Birth Work” seminar to help those interested in birth get familiar with the various aspects of being and becoming a birth doula. This class is usually offered the month before a birth doula workshop. If you register for a birth doula workshop after taking Exploring Birth Work, you will receive a $25 discount on the workshop fee. Please contact BABS for information about this seminar at 812-337-8121 or at molly@bloomingtonbirth.org.
Advanced Doula Workshops
BABS offers special topics workshops for practicing doulas several times a year. Example topics include Cesarean Birth and VBAC, Prenatal Support, Supporting Women with Epidurals. See the BABS Calendar or call (812) 337-8121 for more information and schedule.
Breastfeeding Workshops for Doulas
The BABS Lactation Center staff offers breastfeeding workshops for birth and postpartum doulas. Both certification-approved workshops and advanced/refresher classes are offered. See the BABS Calendar or call (812) 337-8121 for more information.
Student Birth Doula Program
This is a one-year program designed to help new birth doulas launch successful careers. The BABS Student Birth Doula invests time and dedication to learning new skills while under the mentorship of the Doula Supervisor. Fees paid by clients for the services of a Student Birth Doula cover the cost of running the program and helps to sustain other programs, such as the New Mothers Support Groups. There is no charge to the doulas for this program.
Enrollment
We enroll new Student Birth Doulas each May and November, following April and October Birth Doula Workshops. To enroll, a doula must have taken an approved birth doula workshop (offered by a nationally recognized doula program) and have attended fewer than five births. If she has not already observed a childbirth education series, she must do so before she can take clients through the program.
Program in Brief
- applications accepted year-round; enrollment in May and November
- student doulas make a one-year commitment to the program
- student doulas attend a BABS Volunteer Doula Orientation as soon after enrolling as possible
- student doulas attend monthly meetings in conjunction with the BABS Volunteer Doulas
- student doulas attend bi-monthly Meet the Student Doulas events for prospective clients
- doula supervisor mentors student doulas through their relationships with clients
- doula supervisor provides feedback and guidance on professional skills, including communication with clients, record-keeping, and specific issues with clients
- student doulas may be matched with Volunteer Doula Program clients
For more information or to apply to be a student birth doula, please contact Molly Mendota, BABS Doula Supervisor at molly@bloomingtonbirth.org or 812-337-8121.
Distance Doula Mentoring
We also have opportunities for doulas who are not based in the Bloomington area to take advantage of our training and mentoring program. Please contact the Doula Supervisor for details.
