Postpartum Doula Core Training: Hybrid

Becoming a Postpartum Doula is anextraordinary opportunity to play a vital role in supporting families during one of the most transformative periods of their lives. Our Postpartum Doula Training equips you with both practical skills and heart-centered wisdom to assist new parents as they navigate the early weeks of parenthood.

Through this comprehensive program, youll learn a range of evidence-based techniques and tools that will help you support families with birth recovery, emotional well-being, lactation, and newborn care. The care of a Postpartum Doula can facilitate familial bonding with baby, allow parents to spend extra time with older siblings as they adjust to their new family structure, and generally provide more ease during a time of transition. Our training is designed to not only build your practical knowledge but also enhance your intuitive caregiving, ensuring that youre prepared to meet the unique needs of each family.

Why train with Natural Resources?

Since 1989, Natural Resources has been training doulas and helping to create a world in which new parents can thrive.

As an organization that directly educates and supports new and expecting families, we are uniquely positioned to have a holistic view of the needs of both Doulas and parents. Our comprehensive Doula training occurs over multiple weeks allowing the student ample opportunities to connect deeply with your cohort, build a network for partnerships, and have ample time to move through the course content, ask questions, and receive feedback.

This unique hybrid Doula Training experience offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home or a local caf, with pre-recorded modules designed to make extensive amounts of information less overwhelming and easier to absorb.The training features multiple guest speakers who present their experience and expertise throughout the duration of the training. As you progress through the material, youll have regular virtual check-ins with your Facilitator, where you can connect with fellow participants, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions.

The online course is pre-recorded and will be emailed to you when the course “opens”. Your facilitator will provide all the details for the course one week prior to the class start date. The course includes three virtual gatherings with your facilitator.

The training includes admission to an in-person Wisdom + Wellness Gathering at the beautiful Natural Resources space located in San Francisco. This workshop is your opportunity to build lasting connections with other aspiring Doulas and immerse yourself in a supportive, community-driven environment. The gathering will feature a panel of experienced Doulas who will share their insights and answer all your burning questions about launching a successful and sustainable Doula practice. You will also enjoy nourishing experiences, including healthy food and a sound healing experience.

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge, practical tools, and supportive community to confidently begin your Doula career with a foundation rooted in wisdom and self-love.

NR-trained Doulas receive ongoing professional support and the opportunity to showcase their services through various platforms, including our online resource directory and the monthly Find a Doula Meet & Greet.

What You Will Learn:

• Postpartum Recovery: Deep understanding of the process of healing physically and emotionally after birth, including self-care and mental wellness for new parents.
• Lactation: Practical guidance on latch and positioning techniques, establishing a healthy milk supply, and overcoming common challenges.
• Postpartum Nutrition: Comprehensive understanding of the nutritional needs of birthing and lactating individuals.
• Working with LGBQTI+ Communities: Fostering inclusivity by understanding the diverse needs of non-heteronormative families and the LGBQTI+ community. How Doulas can create a welcoming and affirming environment for all families, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Reproductive Justice: Intensive exploration into the systemic disparities in our healthcare system, particularly for marginalized groups. Learn how these disparities affect access to care and the quality of care received, while also offering insights into advocating for equitable treatment.
• Newborns: Guide parents in understanding their newborns needs and teach infant soothing, diapering, bathing, and sleep support.
• Building Family Connections: Guidance on strengthening bonds between parents, infants, and siblings during the adjustment to a new family dynamic.
• Professional Guidance: Strategies for connecting with clients, conducting interviews, contracts, setting fees, arranging back-up Doulas, and marketing your services.
• Community Resources: Local services and referrals to assist families with various needs.

Why Train With Us?

• Holistic Approach: As a long-standing organization supporting new families, Natural Resources provides a unique, comprehensive perspective on the needs of both Doulas and parents.

• Extensive, Multi-Week Training: Spread over several weeks, this course provides more lecture hours and time for in-depth learning, allowing you to connect deeply with the material and ask questions along the way.

• Experienced Instructors: Learn from an expert Facilitator with over 20 years of experience and guest speakers with years of hands-on knowledge in the field of postpartum care.

• Ongoing Support: After training, you will continue to receive guidance and the opportunity to connect with other Doulas through our network and resource directory.

• Certification Option: Upon completion of additional training requirements, you can earn Certification, helping to enhance your career and credibility as a Postpartum Doula. Many insurance companies require current Doula Certification for your clients to obtain reimbursement for your services.

Enroll today and start your journey to becoming a professional Postpartum Doula!

Wisdom + Wellness Gathering

This immersive 5-hour workshop offers aspiring and early-career Doulas valuable guidance from seasoned birth and postpartum professionals. Designed as a supportive space for growth and community building, participants will:

Learn from the Best Engage with our distinguished panel of experienced Doulas who will share their wisdom, practical strategies, and personal journeys in establishing thriving practices. This interactive session provides the perfect opportunity to ask your most pressing questions about building a successful and sustainable Doula business.

Nourish Body and Spirit Refresh and restore with wholesome, nutritious refreshments provided by Doula Kitchen. Experience the restorative power of sonic therapy through our guided sound healing session, designed by Nirel the Yogini, to rejuvenate your energy and inspire your path forward.

Build Your Community Dedicated networking time allows you to forge meaningful connections with fellow birth and postpartum workers and potential mentors. Expand your professional circle while creating relationships that can support your journey in this deeply rewarding field.

This workshop creates a nurturing environment where your professional growth is supported through expert guidance, holistic well-being practices, and community connectionessential elements for anyone looking to establish themselves in the meaningful work of supporting new families.

Seats are limited! Register today!

Please Note:

-Course sessions are outlined in the Schedule & Details tab.
-Payment details are outlined in the Schedule & Details tab.

Please add the following dates to your calendar:

Tuesday, April 15, Online Modules Open – you can start the on-demand sessions at this time.

Tuesday, April 22, 6:30-8:30 pm Virtual Gathering (Required)

Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 -8:30 pm Virtual Gathering (Required)

Saturday, May 17, 11 am – 4 pm Wellness + Wisdom Gathering in person at Natural Resources (Attendance is Optional)

Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Virtual Gathering (Required) AND Training Concludes – Online Modules Close

Pricing:

-Regular price is $699.
-The Early Bird rate is $649 and is available for a limited number of spaces.
-Payment plan price is $750 and requires a 50% deposit to hold your space. Balance is due 2 weeks prior to start date. Please email classes@ to discuss a payment plan.

Our regular cancellation policy applies to all pricing options.

POSTPARTUM DOULA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certification Requirements must be completed and submitted within 2 years of your training at Natural Resources.

If you are an “Established Doula” (have worked for 25 families within the last five years) click here to learn more about becoming a certified doula via our International Established Doula Certification Program.

1. Attendance
(A) Core Training

2. Reading Requirements
Core Reading Select 1 book from each Category listed below (readings may not be duplicated for multiple Doula Certifications).

Submit a 1 page personal response of each book. What is your reaction to the material? Do you agree/disagree? Why?

Category 1: Postpartum Doulas

1) Nurturing Beginnings: Guide to Postpartum Care for Doulas and Community OutreachWorkersby Pascali-Bonaro, Arnold, Ringel

2) Nurturing the Family: A Doula’s Guide to Supporting New Parentsby Jacqueline Kelleher

3) The Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum, or End-of-Life Doulaby Patty Brennan

Category 2: Postpartum

1) A Taste of Our Own Medicine: 3 Vital Keys To Ending Postnatal Depletion, NurturingMothers And Improving Communitiesby Danett Bean

2) The First Forty Days: The Essential Art to Nourishing the New Motherby Ou, Greeven, and Belger

3) Mothering the New Motherby Sally Placksin

4) Mother Nurtureby Rick Hanson, Jan Hanson, Ricki Pollycove

5) The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitalityby Kimberly Ann Johnson

Category 3: Postpartum Mood Disorders

1) This Isnt What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depressionby Kleiman and Raskin

2) Beyond the Bluesby Bennett and Indman

3) Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxietyby Linda Sebastian

4) The Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Workbookby Wiegartz and Gyoerkoe

Category 4: The Newborn

1) Your Amazing Newbornby Klaus and Klaus

2) The Happiest Baby on the Blockby Harvey Karp

3) Your Baby is Speaking to Youby Kevin Nugent

4) The Wonder Weeksby Plas-Plooij, Plooij, and van de Rijt

5) The No-Cry Sleep Solutionby Elizabeth Pantley

6) Sweet Sleepby Wiessinger, West, Smith, and Pitman

7) Safe Infant Sleepby James McKenna

Category 5: Lactation

1) Nursing Mothers Companionby Kathleen Huggins

2) The Womanly Art of Breastfeedingby Wiessenger, West and Pitman (2010 or newer)

3) Breastfeeding Made Simpleby Nancy Mohrbacher

4) The Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding: The Definitive Guide to Nursing for AfricanAmerican Mothersby Katherine Barber

5) Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stageby Robin Kaplan

6) The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeedingby Kimberly Seals Allers

Category 6: Reproductive Justice & Cultural Competency

1) Killing the Black Bodyby Dorothy Roberts

2) Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancyby Angela Garbes

3) Reproductive Injustice: Racism, Pregnancy, and Premature Birthby Dana-Ain Davis

4) Reproductive Justice: An Introductionby Ross & Solinger

5) Birth in Eight Culturesby Davis-Floyd & Cheyney

6) Wheres the Mother? Stories from a Transgender Dadby Trevor MacDonald

7) Journey to Same-Sex Parenthoodby Eric Rosswood

8) Red Medicine: Traditional Indigenous Rites of Birth and Healingby Patrisia Gonzales

9) Battling Over Birth: Black Women and the Maternal Health Care Crisisby Oparah, Arega, Hudson, Jones, Oseguera

3. Proof of current Adult and Infant/Child CPR certification

4. Observe a Lactation Class or Lactation Support Group

Submit a Class Observation Report

5. Support 6 families in the early postpartum period(first 6 weeks) occurring during or after the training.

At least 2 shifts of 2 hours each.

-Submit a Postpartum Doula Support Form describing your experience with each family, including specific ways you provided guidance

-Natural Resources Evaluation of Postpartum Support

-Questionnaire completed by the birthing person of each family supported.

6. Natural Resources Doula Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice

Natural Resources trained Doulas will receive our Certification Packet at the time of training. Once you have completed all of the required paperwork, you will purchase the Certification Application (linked inside the packet) for a $100 fee. If you trained with Natural Resources and need access to the Certification Packet, please email classes@.

Tracy Massillon has been supporting new families through the transition to parenthood for over 20 years. She joined the Natural Resources family of educators in 2005 and co-created the curriculum for our prenatal core classes: Childbirth Preparation, Lactation, and Newborn Care & Parenting. Tracy also founded the weekly Lactation Support Circle in 2006. She continued to follow her passion of caring for new families and went to Nursing school when her two children were toddlers. She is now a Maternal/Child Health Nurse specializing in Lactation. Tracy is passionate about families receiving Doula support and has facilitated Postpartum Doula training since 2005, with the goal that all families will have access to compassionate and evidence-based support. Tracy is deeply committed to ensuring that all families have access to Doula support.