The Nurturing Place: Childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding classes & birth doula and postpartum doula training

The Childbearing Year
	A series of hands-on, informative classes designed to guide expectant families from early pregnancy, through labor and birth, and into the first few months of parenting. Founded on the philosophy of freedom of choice based on the understanding of alternatives, our curriculum draws from the best of all childbirth methods including "Active Birth", "Lamaze", "Birthing From Within", "Bradley", and "Hypnobirthing".
Birth Doula Training
	This three-day, comprehensive training is designed to give you a strong foundation to begin your own doula practice. This is a DONA (Doulas of North America)-approved training. Some of the trainings are also approved for ICEA contact hours. As a companion for laboring women, you will learn to nurture the innate strength and courage that lies within each woman to create a positive memory of her birth and ease the transition into her new parenting role.
Postpartum Doula Training
	Because mothers need mothering too, postpartum doulas are trained to make the postpartum experience as smooth as possible for the new family. You will gain skills and an understanding of breastfeeding support, normal newborn behavior, the body�s postpartum processes, community resources, etc. With these skills and your own nurturing abilities, a family will transition into their new parenting role with ease.
Advanced Doula Training
	Supporting Survivors of Abuse Do you feel like you understand the basics of supporting women in labor yet you want to expand your skills for situations that require more in depth knowledge and counseling abilities? This one day advanced doula training is designed specifically to help you support survivors of sexual abuse or previous traumatic birth experiences. You will learn to help your client define her personal triggers and develop strategies to assure a more positive birth experience.
Hosting a Training
	Perhaps you feel there is a need for more birth or postpartum doulas in your area. Or, your city may have experienced doulas who are already practicing but need to update their education and receive contact hours for continuing education. Rather than the expense of everyone traveling to a training, custom design a curriculum of topics especially pertinent to your region or bring a DONA-approved trainer to your area and receive a free registration for coordinating the program.