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ToLABOR & MaternityWise Collaborative Birth Doula Training (in-person and virtual options available)


  • Isle of Palms, South Carolina United States (map)

Register for the ultimate Doula Training Workshop, co-hosted by ToLABOR and our friends at MaternityWise!

We've combined the best of our evidence-based curriculums from ToLABOR and MaternityWise to offer a comprehensive, empowering doula training experience.

Earn your:

CLD - Certified Labor Doula

CPBD - Certified Professional Birth Doula

CPD - Certified Postpartum Doula

CLSE - Certified Lactation Support & Educator

EpiDoula - Advanced Skills for reducing epidural complications

Held in a STUNNING beach house in Isle of Palms, SC, just steps from the ocean, this venue features private and shared suites, included delicious healthy meals, daily wellness activities, and time to explore the charming beach town. It’s an ideal setting for an unforgettable, transformative doula journey!

In-House Participants can choose from our King Suites with private bathrooms, our one shared Suite with 2 Queen beds, or one of our 2-Twin Rooms for a more communal experience where you’ll make friends!

Training starts at 6 PM on Thursday, 10/10, and concludes at 8 AM on 10/14 for in-house participants. The educational sessions finish at 6 PM on 10/13, followed by a closing ceremony and shared dinner for both locals and in-house participants.

Register by choosing a payment plan below! Payments must be made in full prior to workshop start date.


Your Investment Includes:

  • Four-Day Workshop: Attend four days of education, empowerment, and transformation.

  • Comprehensive Training Materials: Includes the ToLABOR Program Manual (PDF + Online) with over 200 pages of worksheets, resources, sample forms, and certification paperwork, plus additional educational materials covering Birth Doula Training, EpiDoula, Postpartum Doula, and Lactation Support Training by MaternityWise.

  • Membership Benefits:

    • 1st year membership of ToLABOR, cross-certification, and lifetime membership with MaternityWise.

    • Access to all private support groups within each organization.

    • Listing on the ToLABOR Doula locator map and on ToLABOR’s website for local and online referrals.

    • Eligibility to participate in mini continuing education courses and a prerequisite for certification.

  • Personal Support:

    • Each student is assigned a Mentor for 18 months.

    • Receive support through 1 email or a 30-minute phone consult with the Executive Director (additional fee for consults over 30 minutes).

  • Certification: Earn internationally recognized certification upon completing the requirements. An additional $25 certification fee is required.

  • Nutritious Meals (for In-House and Local Commuter participants only): Enjoy daily prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Saturday dinner is a group outing).

  • Wellness Activities (for In-House and Local Commuter participants only): Engage in activities such as yoga, guided meditation, therapeutic somatic practices, and visualization.

  • Free Access to upcoming "Birth Business Bootcamp" by MaternityWise - $179 value

  • Birth Business Documents Suite - provided by MaternityWise - a $79 value

Skills You Will Learn:

  • Present your client evidence-based research to educate about available options, choices, and alternatives for the healthiest and safest birth

  • Create + preserve a safe birthing environment, understanding it’s importance to the psychological and physiological process of a healthy, normal birth

  • Develop + define the scope of your practice and learn how to create professional protocols for the services you choose to offer

  • Provide highly effective labor support to your clients by utilizing techniques which can reduce the client’s discomfort, promote faster, safer births + reduce the need for medication and medically unnecessary interventions

  • Support the birthing family when pregnancy or birth doesn’t go as planned

  • Communicate effectively + professionally with clients, partners, families & medical professionals—establishing trust + mutual empowerment among the birthing team

  • Conduct prenatal + postpartum visits, take a comprehensive history, and maintain client confidentiality

  • Market + promote yourself as a professional Birth Doula in your community

  • Build a career as a Professional Birth Worker

Benefits of Certifying with BOTH MaternityWise and ToLABOR:

  • State-Approved credentialing that will allow you to work with Medicaid patients

  • TriCare Approved credentialing that will allow you to work with military families

  • Hospital Approved certification that will allow you in, regardless of how many "visitors" are permitted

  • Mentors assigned to each student for 18 months and beyond

  • Join a Family of like-minded people where nurturing support is our way of life

  • Learn from brilliant and generous trainers and mentors who have well over 100 years of experience collectively

  • Support from two well-established organizations with connections all over the world


Enrollment Options

In-House Participant

In-House participant rates include everything listed above, plus:

  • Your stay in the house (select from room rates below)

  • Delicious meals prepared daily for breakfast/lunch/dinner (Saturday dinner will be on your own, out with the group)

  • Wellness Activities (such as yoga, guided mediation, therapeutic somatic practices, visualization, etc…) 

  • Personalized Wellness Assessment Session (scheduled prior to arrival)

King Suite w/ Private Bath (all inclusive)
$2,150.00
Quantity:
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Shared Twin Room w/ Shared Bath
$1,950.00
Quantity:
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Local Commuter Participant

This option is for locals or those who do NOT wish to stay in the house and it includes everything from the In-House Participant package except for the stay in the home and the Personalized Wellness Assessment Session. This is great for locals or people who would like to arrange their own accommodations.

Local Commuter Rate
$1,650.00
Quantity:
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Zoom Participant

  • Training + Educational Materials (Birth Doula Training by ToLABOR + EpiDoula + Postpartum Doula + Lactation Support Training by MaternityWise)

  • 1st year membership of ToLABOR, Cross-Certification + Lifetime Membership with MaternityWise and access to all private support groups within each organization

  • Every student is assigned a Mentor for 18 months

  • Wellness Activities as Available Virtually (such as yoga, guided mediation, therapeutic somatic practices, visualization, etc…) 

Zoom Participant
$1,275.00
Quantity:
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Where the magic is happening! ✨


Workshop Details

Well-rounded schedule of healing activities and skill-building:

Oct 10, 5-6pm: House Guest Participants Check In

Oct 10, 7-9pm: All Students join virtually (only House Guests join in-person)

  • Intro, Intention Setting, Defining Roles, Birth Movie & Discussion

Oct 11, 9am-6pm: Labor Doula Focus

  • A Complete and Comprehensive Look at the Stages and Phases of Labor 

  • The Hormonal Structure + Physiology of Labor, Birth and Postpartum

  • 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 & BRAINS

  • Birth Films + Discussion

Oct 12, 9am-6pm: More Labor & EpiDoula Focus

  • Experiential Learning: Touching + Listening 

  • Breathing, Relaxation + Positions in Labor, Counter Pressure Techniques

  • Cesarean Sections & VBACs

  • Experiential Learning: Creating a Safe Space

  • Birth Scenario Practice

  • Racism, Reproductive Health + Equity in Birth

  • Ethical Guidelines for Birth Doulas

  • Working with Interventions: What, Why, When + Options

  • EpiDoula Advanced Skills - how to reduce complications when your client chooses epidural pain relief

  • 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

Oct 13, 9am-6pm: Postpartum and Lactation Support Focus

  • Role and Scope, Along with Ethical /Legal Considerations

  • Recognizing and Providing Support for Birth Trauma Survivors 

  • Caring for the Mental Health of Client Families

  • Soothing Babies, and Teaching Families Newborn Care Success

  • Understanding and Supporting Lactation in All Phases

  • Mortality (Maternal and Infant) During the Postnatal Period

  • Digging Deep Into Our Own Experiences for Healing

Oct 13, 7-9pm: Celebration of Life Journey

  • Enjoy Music, Dinner as we Celebrate Your Journey Into Birthwork!

Oct 14, 10am: Check-out for House Guest Participants 

Future Follow-Up: Connections with Classmates and Mentors​