Workshops
Workshops
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Workshops

Workshops for Doulas, Parents and Birth Workers

Calendar 

2025

Intro to Childbirth

  • Fri Jan 24, Scottsdale **SOLD OUT**
  • Fri Apr 25, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Fri Jun 06, Flagstaff, AZ
  • Fri Aug 15, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Fri Oct 17, Tucson, AZ
  • Fri Nov 14, Scottsdale, AZ

Breastfeeding for Doulas

  • Thu Jan 23, Scottsdale **SOLD OUT**
  • Thu Apr 24, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Thu Jun 05, Flagstaff, AZ
  • Thu Aug 14, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Thu Oct 16, Tucson, AZ
  • Thu Nov 13, Scottsdale, AZ

Birth Doula Workshop

  • Sat-Sun Jan 25-26, Scottsdale **SOLD OUT**
  • Sat-Sun Apr 26-27, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Sat-Sun Jun 07-08, Flagstaff, AZ
  • Sat-Sun Aug 16-17, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Sat-Sun Oct 18-19, Tucson, AZ
  • Sat-Sun Nov 15-16, Scottsdale, AZ

TENS Workshop

  • Sat Mar 15, Tucson, AZ

Touch for Birth Workshop

  • TBD

Communication Skills for Doulas

  • TBD

Foundations for Health : Optimizing Baby's Gut Microbiome

  • TBD
Intro 

"Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas"
A DONA International approved certification workshop

$175 - $195

As a prerequisite to the Birth Doula Workshop, you must either attend a full series of childbirth education classes, or this “Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas” one-day training. Topics include:
  • The Female Reproductive System
  • Fetal and Maternal Trimester Changes
  • The Stages and Phases of Labor
  • Normal and Complicated Labors
  • The Gate Pain Theory
  • Medications for Labor
  • Comfort Measures for Labor
  • The Cesarean Birth
  • Breast feeding
  • The Newborn
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Download the brochure
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Note: Class prices vary by location
Doula 

“Supporting the Woman in Labor”
A DONA International approved certification workshop

$380 - $420

My signature workshop, this two to three day training for birth doula certification with DONA International is in the form of a participative workshop with a lot of hands-on practice.

The Workshop

The following topics are covered:
  • the significance of labor on a woman’s life
  • the role and impact of a doula
  • physical comfort measures to assist a woman during the different stages of labor
  • emotions of labor and doula support
  • the role of the doula in medicated labors, VBAC, and cesarean births
  • rehearsing difficult labor situations
  • prenatal and postpartum contact with the client
  • the doula and the partner
  • the newborn and breast feeding
  • running a doula business
  • the DONA certification process

Objectives

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
  • describe the long term psychological impact of birth on women
  • describe the varying roles of the labor support person
  • describe the emotional needs of the laboring woman in both normal and difficult labors
  • demonstrate different comfort measures for labor
  • list ideas for managing practical matters when running a doula business

Prerequisites

This doula training workshop is designed for women interested in helping others have a positive birth experience. It is essential to have a basic knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and the newborn. As a prerequisite, you must either attend a full series of childbirth education classes, or Penny’s “Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas" one-day training.
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Note: Class prices vary by location
Breastfeeding 

“Breastfeeding Introduction for Doulas”
A DONA International approved certification workshop

$85 - $95

This three-hour workshop for doulas fulfills the breastfeeding requirement for birth doula certification with DONA International. The role of the doula is discussed in each of the following topics:

  • The benefits of breastfeeding and barriers to success
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast and the Baby
  • The Breastfeeding Couple – relationship building, position and latch
  • Breastfeeding in the first few days
  • Breastfeeding in the Early weeks
  • Breastfeeding Challenges
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Download the brochure
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Note: Class prices vary by location
TENS 

“The use of TENS during Labor” (2, 3 or 4 hrs)
A DONA approved continuing education workshop

$70 - $120

This half-day training for doulas, nurses, midwives and physicians includes a step-by-step demonstration of the protocol for using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in labor. This hand-held battery-operated device transmits mild electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate nerve fibers. It is a safe, non-drug method of pain relief during labor. Approved by DONA International for four CE hours. Click below to play a video on the use of TENS in labor.
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The video is the result of a collaboration with Jillian Silva, founder of Austin Childbirth.

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This half-day training for doulas, nurses, midwives and physicians includes a step-by-step demonstration of the protocol for using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in labor. This hand-held battery-operated device transmits mild electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate nerve fibers. It is a safe, non-drug method of pain relief during labor. Approved by DONA International for four CE hours.

The article "TENS: The 'Natural Labor' Tool No One Talks About" describes the benefits of using TENS in labor, and is illustrated using the same unit that I introduce to participants in my workshop.
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The article "TENS: The 'Natural Labor' Tool No One Talks About" describes the benefits of using TENS in labor, and is illustrated using the same unit that I introduce to participants in my workshop.
Download the brochure
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Note: Class prices vary by location
Touch 

“Touch for Birth”
A DONA approved continuing education workshop

$130 - $150

This seven-hour training is designed for doulas and doulas in training who wish to build on their hands-on skills acquired during during their birth doula training. No prior experience in massage therapy is necessary. Approved by DONA International for six CE hours.
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Note: Class prices vary by location
Comms 

“Communication Skills for Doulas” (4 or 7 hrs)
A DONA approved continuing education workshop

$80 to $160

This seven-hour training will be in the form of a participative workshop with a lot of experiential practice and is approved by DONA International for seven CE hours. The following topics will be covered:

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  • Different Types of Listening
  • Five Steps to Effective Listening
  • Good Listener / Bad Listener Exercise
  • Listening with objectivity
  • 7 Steps towards Effective Communication
  • Role-play exercise – prenatal visit
  • Role-play exercise – in labor and delivery
  • Self-study exercise to improve communication skills
  • in8 – using innate skills to support clients
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
  • describe the different types of listening and how they pertain to being a doula
  • describe and demonstrate the techniques used by good and bad listeners
  • demonstrate reflective, non-judgmental listening skills
  • describe 7 components for effective communication
  • demonstrate effective communication at a prenatal visit through role-play
  • demonstrate effective communication in a potential conflict situation
  • describe self-study strategies to improve communication skills
  • use in8 (innate) needs cards and resource cards to support their clients
Download the brochure
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Note: Class prices vary by location
Microbiome 

"Optimizing Baby's Gut Microbiome" (2 or 3 hrs)
A DONA approved continuing education workshop

$60 - $80

In this two-hour fun, interactive, live training for parents, pregnant people and birth workers, you will learn about the infant microbiome and why it is so important for your baby's health. You will learn:

  • About the infant microbiome - what it is, and why it is so important for the baby's health
  • About nutrition during pregnancy and how that impacts the baby's microbiome
  • Why vaginal birth, immediate skin to skin, and exclusive breastfeeding help optimally "seed and feed" the baby's microbiome
  • Some simple strategies optimizing the baby's microbiome after cesarean birth
  • How to set up the baby's immune system in the best possible way
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Note: Class prices vary by location
New online (prerecorded) courses!

New online (prerecorded) courses!