Birth Doula Workshop

Yes. Our workshop is Approved by the State of Washington. https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/birth-doulas/approved-training-programs

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)