Birthing from Within – Training

Doula Training Course

I offer Sacred Space Doula training courses for all South African women who have a passion and desire to assist women in childbirth.   I also am training to facilitate Birthing From Within mentors and doulas through certification via the Birthing from Within™ network. The first local BFW training was held in January 2009 and 7 SA women are enrolled in the BFW programme and moving towards international certification

Sacred Space Doula Training offers you a profound and compassionate approach to assisting and supporting parents in their journey into parenthood. This workshop is an introduction to the world of being a doula – whether you are planning a career move or just wanting to assist at a friend or family member’s birth.

After your introductory workshop you will be equipped with many new skills that can be used practically with clients as well as to deepen your own personal preparation.

This intensive workshop is structured over 3 ½ day. It is intended as a time for retreating within and contemplation. For you to hold the sacred space of birth you need time to discover the doula within you. Your heart and mind will explore new and old issues and open up to many new, exciting possibilities.This takes time and energy that is best focused away from our everyday lives.

This workshop is open to all who wish to explore this dedicated career. There are no restrictions placed on attendees except the willingness to explore within themselves new depths, the dedication to hold the sacred space of birth and the honour of witnessing the miracle of life. It can be the ideal introduction to doulahood or a refresher and in-depth workshop for seasoned doulas.

After the beginning workshop, for those wishing to complete their doula certification there are specific requirements to fulfil. This part of the programme is for those who have decided that this is the path that they wish to explore.

The home study portion to be completed includes:

• Documenting several births
• Writing your impressions and thoughts of what you have learned at each birth and how this will assist you in future births
• A reading list with introspective notes
• List of ongoing education
• A brief self assessment
• Completion of the home study packet

The completion of your home study depends on your personal commitment and life situation. It can be completed between 6 months to 2 years.

If you haven’t completed the home study within 2 years you will need to repeat the workshop. Special circumstances will always be taken into account and extensions will be given if asked for.

Upon registration an information packet will be emailed to all participants outlining in depth the entire process.

This workshop will comply with the guidelines set out by DOSA – Doulas of South Africa organisation.
For more information regarding Sacred Space Doula trainings please visit www.doula.co.zaFor more information regarding DOSA – Doulas of South Africa organisation. please visit www.doula.org.za

During this 3 day workshop you will learn:

Birth in our culture

How our culture influences the way we birth and think about birthing

How this affects you as a doula/mother/woman

Bag of agreements

What agreements do you carry

How do these affect your birthing clients.

Holding the space

How to support yourself

How to support a labouring mother

Deep listening

Hearing the unspoken meaning behind your clients words

Validating your clients experiences

Deepest questions

What motivates you

How to motivate others

Coping with the unexpected /pain

Building a solution focused mindset

Creating a non outcome focused mindset

Building a pain coping mindset with pain coping practices

Labourland

Understanding new and known territory of birth

Physiology of birth

Energy of birth

What energy is present at birth

How to effectively support at births

Compass of birth

Viewing the different perspectives of birth

Mother, father, baby and culture’s perspective

Knowing how each one is affected emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychologically

Fear in it’s many dimensions

Finding and confronting fear, worries, concerns as a doula

Assisting clients to find and confront fears, worries and concerns

Caesarean awareness

How to birth by caesarean

What a doula needs to know when birth isn’t going according to plan

Building a relationship with clients

How to build and maintain relationships

What to cover in prenatal visits

Self care and introspection

Inner preparation

How to take care of yourself so as not to burn out

Setting up your practice and networking

The nitty gritty of building your new business

Schedule of 21 hours

Dates and times:

For Johannesburg workshop :

Thursday evening 11 March 2010 till Sunday afternoon 14 March 2010

For Cape Town workshop::

Thursday evening 8 April 2010 till Sunday afternoon 11 April 2010

Workshop commences Thursday evening at 18.00 promptly till 21.00

Friday and Saturday we workshop from 09.00 till 17.00 break for lunch at 12.00 for one hour

Sunday we commence at 10.00 till 15.30 break for lunch at 12.00 for one hour

Your investment for the workshop: R3000.00 excl accommodation and meals

Venue: to be announced

Sacred Space Doula Training has many essential elements from the Birthing From Within training with some local additives to ensure well trained doulas.

Doula Re-Certification Program

We will also offer a re-certification to any locally or internationally trained Doulas.  It will require a frank self assessment that includes a full training history, other relevant academic qualifications with past and recent birthing experience.  To meet Sacred Space and DOSA standards and local conditions there will be some required seminars that need to be attended.  During a trial period with mentor access, the Doula will be required to assist in a few births and submit reports on them.  A brief self assessment and exam will also be necessary to ensure the doula has all the knowledge needed to assist women in birth. Following this an interview will be held to determine final acceptance.  Depending on seminar dates and birth opportunities this process may take 2-6 months.

The BFW Doula certification is internationally recognised and will become the hallmark in progressive Doula care world wide.  The certification is renewable conditional to required ongoing participation in births and any continuing education seminars on an annual basis

The mothers and the industry can be sure they are getting the best support when they select a Sacred Space or  BFW certified Doula.  More and more doctors, midwives and hospitals are accepting Doula support in their arenas, the Sacred Space and BFW certified Doula will be welcomed by an ever growing number of professionals who see the clear benefits to themselves as well as their institutions that can improve conditions and unburden their own staff.

More information

More information about Sacred Space Doula training in South Africa please go here
More information on the BFW network is to be found here.