Whether you are taking your very first Doula Training, cross certifying with us, or wanting to add in more services to your already thriving biz, you are guaranteed to have a once in a lifetime experience here. We will delve deeply into the art of Doula-ship and Birth Activism, while taking the utmost care of YOU, in unique ways relating to all of your 5 senses, just as you will do with your clients.
You will leave this workshop nourished physically and emotionally with a whole new set of skills to add to your toolbox- improving your confidence, client support, and income! We will end the training with a special Doula Blessing ceremony honoring each of you and the path you are about to embark upon. For all questions email: melanie@tolabor.com
What You’ll Learn
BIRTH EDUCATION
with Melanie Russell
Setting of Intentions
Defining Our Role
Birth Film + Discussion
The 5 Senses
Gate Control: Three Ways to Reduce Pain in Labor
Tools of the Trade: Comfort Measures
Physiological “Normal” Labor & Birth vs “Typical Birth”
Birth Plans & BRAIN
Birth Films + Discussion
Experiential Learning: Touching + Listening with Pregnant Volunteers
Breathing, Relaxation + Positions in LaborCounter Pressure Techniques
Cesarean Sections & VBACs
Experiential Learning: Creating a Safe Space
Birth Scenarios
Racism, Reproductive Health + Equity in Birth, created and taught by Cheyenne Varner of The Educated Birth and Everyday Birth
Ethical Guidelines for Birth Doulas
Working with Interventions: What, Why, When + Options
The Business of Being a Doula, created and taught by Hunter Moore of A Brighter Birth and The Mindful Birth
Services, Compensation, Marketing, Contracts
One-Year Goals for Your Doula Business!
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Melanie Russell
Meet Melanie Russell (she/her), Doula Trainer and Executive Director of ToLABOR. Melanie is a mother to 6, has been a practicing ToLABOR Birth Doula for 17 years and has attended close to 700 births. Melanie owns and operates A Brighter Birth, a Birth + Wellness Collective in VA, teaches Childbirth Education classes and is a trained CLC in Breastfeeding support. Melanie also works with a local VA OBGYN who has been practicing for over 50 years in Women’s Health, and acts as the “Office Doula” for all of his patients. Melanie’s philosophy of birth work is rooted in the needs of pregnant people knowing and having access to ALL of their options.
POSTPARTUM EDUCATION
with Ocean Hak-Kuhn
Postpartum doula overview– what is our scope of work?
A day in the life of a postpartum doula– what does daytime vs. nighttime support look like?
Tending to and nourishing the postpartum body
Active listening and creating a safe space for birth processing and postpartum transition
Caring for the newborn– technical overviews and empowering parents in their care
Checking in with the partner and siblings as they adjust
Supporting feeding plans + lactation support
Eyes and ears open for postpartum mood disorders
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Ocean Hak-Kuhn
Ocean Hak-Kuhn works as a postpartum doula and lactation counselor supporting families in their homes as they transition into parenthood. In addition, she is a Postpartum and Infant Care Educator empowering families prenatally with the technical skills of newborn care, as well as what they can expect of their postpartum bodies and how to navigate all of this change simultaneously. She is passionate about helping families find their steady footing as they enter into parenthood.
LACTATION EDUCATION
with Sarah Cole
Understanding the anatomy and physiology of making milk
The "schedule" of breastfeeding
Setting doula clients up for success in any birth location
Breastfeeding positions
What are the true necessities to have on hand
How to conduct in home lactation visits
Common problems and solutions
Pumping, breastmilk storage and bottle feeding guidance
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Sarah Cole
Sarah provides non-judgemental, compassionate support to new families. In addition to being a CAPPA trained postpartum doula, Sarah is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and is currently pursuing her 200h yoga teacher training (Beloved Yoga), and labor doula (ToLabor) certificates.
WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
Available for the those staying on-site and those commuting or securing their own lodging.
Sound Bath Under the Stars
Join a circle of women under the night sky for a calming soundbath experience. With crystal bowls and soothing instruments, Liz will guide you into deep rest and renewal, surrounded by nature and sisterhood. Let the vibrations relax your body, clear your mind, and reconnect you to your inner self.
YOUR GUIDE:
Liz Reynolds
Liz Reynolds is a vibrant movement educator and soundbath practitioner based in Charlottesville, VA, whose roots in dance, yoga, meditation, Pilates and Ayurvedic wellness infuse all of her offerings. Whether she is leading group classes, private sessions or retreats, Liz always brings her warm, spunky and soulful personality.
MeridiYin Yoga for Birth Workers
MeridiYin yoga offers us a gentle combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and yin yoga practice. Together, we’ll work sweetly to move stuck energy in the body by awakening and enlivening both the pathways and the points along those pathways, while also removing blockages that may be sprinkled along the lines in an effort to ease physical and emotional pain and tension. A soft, intuitive, and imaginative practice, attendees can expect to explore self-touch as we embody activation techniques, self massage, self-acupressure, imagination, and longer held shapes all in the pursuit of self-healing. Using the pathways, postures, and points as our road map, get to know yourself and your practice in perhaps an entirely new way.
YOUR GUIDE:
Margaret Allen
Marge (she/her) proudly bears a lifetime affinity for movement and languages, having spent most of her years calling upon the body as her chosen artistic tool while also learning Spanish, Italian, and French. She holds a BFA in dance and choreography, a professional certificate of contemporary circus arts, and an E-RYT 500 YACEP Yoga Alliance credential. As a result, her movement style marinates at the unique intersection of dance, contemporary circus, & yoga asana. Her studies, creations, teachings, and performances have blown her all across the globe and today she finds herself in Charlottesville, a fresh transplant from Richmond. Through her classes, workshops, programs, trainings, and retreats, practitioners in Marge’s hands can expect a unique blend of movement, grace, passion, humor, and awakening to one’s own innate artistry. Read more about Marge and her current offerings at www.margarucia.com.
ADDITIONAL WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
In House Hot Tub and Sauna
Closing Ceremony with Melanie Russell and Sarah Cole
EXPERIENCES
The Full Retreat Experience
The entire training (Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Lactation Skills + Education) see descriptions above
Option to certify with ToLABOR within 5 years of training date
One Year Free ToLABOR Membership
Your name + contact info on ToLABOR's Doula Locator Map on the website
Full Training Recorded
1:1 Mentorship Call
Access to ToLABOR's private FB Page
In House Stay from Thursday, 9/11 at 6pm to Sunday, 9/14 at 7pm
All wellness activities such as: yoga, sound bath, closing ceremony
All meals excluding Saturday's dinner which will be out of the house- guests choice
THE FULL RETREAT EXPERIENCE PRICING:
4 Private KING BEDROOMs w/ SHARED BATHs
PRIVATE BEDROOM w/ Pull Out Sofa + Shared Bath
SHARED TWIN BUNK ROOM + SHARED BATH
The Commuter Experience
for those who want to participate but don't need accommodations
Option to certify with ToLABOR within 5 years of training date
one year free ToLABOR Membership
Your name + contact info on ToLABOR's Doula Locator Map on the website
Full Training Recorded
1:1 Mentorship Call
Access to ToLABOR's private FB Page
All wellness activities
All meals excluding Saturday's dinner which will be out of the house- guests choice
THE COMMUTER EXPERIENCE PRICING:
$1350
You may pay in full or in 2 or 4 equal weekly installments.
The Virtual Experience
The entire training (Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Lactation Skills + Education)
Option to certify with ToLABOR within 5 years of training date
One Year Free ToLABOR Membership
Your name + contact info on ToLABOR's Doula Locator Map on the website
Full Training Recorded
1:1 Mentorship Call
Access to ToLABOR's private FB Page
THE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE PRICING:
$1100
You may pay in full or in 2 or 4 equal weekly installments.