Welcome to your new career as a birth doula

Day 1

  • This session will likely focus on effective communication techniques for understanding the families that doulas work with. Every family is unique and communication is a very important skill to grow in order to effectively support the family including their partners, and communicating with healthcare providers. We will practice active listening, paraphrasing, open-ended questioning, and navigating challenging conversations. We start the training here so that we can practice through our time together.

  • This session will delve into a core responsibility of a birth doula. We will discuss our personal opinions, feelings and the ethical considerations involved in supporting the family with their wishes, not ours. Checking our biases before entering a families home and personal world is very important for a healthy doula who knows her boundaries and judgements.

  • We cover pregnancy and birth anatomy and how it can be presented to the birthing family so that they have a greater understanding of the birth process. We cover hormonal changes, anatomical aspects, and different stages of labor and birth as well as the 4 P’s.

  • This is an interactive session that is hands on in order to learn comfort touch, massage, labor positions and using communication, comfort and the ability to hear your clients desires, yes’s and no’s.

  • This is a deep dive into specific medical topics like pain management, interventions, and variations of birth (VBAC, breech presentation, twin deliveries, pain medication, high risk pregnancies, inner-uterine growth restriction, fetal monitoring, and much more.

  • Time to address any lingering questions or topics you'd like further clarification on. Scenario cards are used to begin our process of thinking like a doula and troubleshooting real scenarios that you will come across.

Day 2

  • A midwife, labor and delivery RN or another birth professional will present. Some of the topics we have had in the past trainings include: Optimal Fetal Positioning, Postpartum Support for Families, Spinning babies, How to navigate a hospital, And more

  • It can be very effective to have the right tools in your pocket so to speak and be the most effective one can be as a doula. We will cover the unique tools Bonnie has picked up along the way including the use of a tens unit and keeping a log, diary of the birth for the family.

  • Observe Bonnie conducting a prenatal visit.

    Witness the interaction between her as a doula and the mama, and her partner.

    Debrief the experience afterward, focusing on communication styles, information gathering, and patient education techniques used during the prenatal.

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  • Safety Briefing: Trainer outlines safety considerations and potential risks of ice baths. We discuss why practicing the role of a doula is beneficial for the training and using our new skills.

    Benefits Discussion: Explore the potential benefits of ice baths for pain management and

    Partner Pairing: Trainees pair up with a classmate.

    Ice Bath Experience: Each partner takes a turn discovering the unique fears, expectations and comfort/coping skills while their partner provides emotional and physical support.

  • Share experiences and discuss the challenges and benefits of providing support during an uncomfortable experience.

  • Time to address any lingering questions or topics you'd like further clarification on. Scenario cards are used to begin our process of thinking like a doula and troubleshooting real scenarios that you will come across.

Day 3

  • A lactation consultant might present on:

    The importance of breastfeeding initiation and latch techniques.

    Common breastfeeding challenges and solutions.

    How to provide emotional and informational support to new parents navigating breastfeeding while staying in your skill set as a doula.

    Interactive session with role-playing scenarios to practice communication and support skills.

  • We will go over:

    Developing a business plan and marketing strategy for your doula services.

    Setting fees and creating client contracts.

    Insurance considerations and legal aspects of being a doula.

    Networking and building relationships with birth professionals.

  • Brief review of ice bath safety guidelines.

    Partnerships from Day 2 can switch roles, allowing each trainee to experience the ice bath with support.

    Debrief and discussion focusing on communication techniques used to provide effective support during the ice bath.

  • Safety first. Lets talk about considerations and potential risks of ice baths. We discuss why practicing the role of a doula is beneficial for the discomfort of this aspect of our training and using our new skills.

    Benefits Discussion: Explore the potential benefits of ice baths for pain management.

    Partner Pairing: Trainees pair up with a classmate.

    Ice Bath Experience: Each partner takes a turn discovering the unique fears, expectations and comfort/coping skills while their partner provides emotional and physical support.

  • This interactive session is focused on:

    The emotional challenges of doula work (secondary stress, compassion fatigue).

    Self-care strategies for doulas (stress management, maintaining boundaries).

    Building a support network among other doulas.

  • Time to address any lingering questions or topics you'd like further clarification on. Scenario cards are used to begin our process of thinking like a doula and troubleshooting real scenarios that you will come across.

  • We will summarize key learnings and outlines expectations for the remainder of the training program, how to find a coach as you create your business and how to become certified if you want to take that path.

Our Team

Bonnie Slater

I am Bonnie Slater, a dedicated mother of two and an experienced birth and postpartum doula, birth doula trainer, and women’s relational leader.

Since 1996, I've had the privilege of supporting more than 700 families through the transformative journey of childbirth, supporting the raw emotions of new parents and the miracle of new life. My experience spans across 15 different hospitals, birth centers, and numerous homes in both Boulder, Colorado and Maui, Hawaii.

Beyond my doula practice, I've contributed to three ob-gyn/midwifery offices as a midwifery assistant. My educational background includes studying psychology and nursing and working end-of-life care. I leverage my skills to create meaningful connections by supporting each unique family during a transformative and vulnerable time of life.

In 2020, I merged my passions for babies, birth and fostering connections to establish Doulas of Maui LLC. This venture is a birth doula training program, conducted biannually and held on the island of Maui. Women who are interested in the birth process, wanting to become pregnant soon, aspire to become doulas or are pregnant can immerse into a 3 day container taking a deep dive into the world of child birth through the path of doula work. I love my career and teaching the art of becoming a doula is an incredibly satisfying to me.

In my free time I love spend time with my children, hike in the Mtns of Boulder, practice yoga, have coffee with friends, swim and take underwater maternity photos.

Lisa Waldo

Certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Lisa has over 35 years of doula experience, supporting more than 1500 families.  She is trained in the Bradley Method of childbirth.  Lisa's extensive experience as a birth and postpartum doula has allowed her to mentor countless new doulas, many who have gone on to make six-figure incomes. Beyond her vast knowledge of doula work, she understands the business side of the profession, making her an invaluable resource for those embarking on this path. If you're looking to learn from the best and launch your doula career with confidence, Lisa's mentorship is your key to success. To learn more about Lisa and her doula career in Boulder Colorado check out balancedbeginningsdoulas.com

Having worked as a Fitness Instructor for many years allows Lisa to integrate the importance of health and fitness into her work as a doula and doula mentor. Lisa values building relationships and providing continuity in care to families, supporting them through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Living and traveling abroad have contributed to Lisa’s ability to engage with multicultural families.

Her accumulated education and experience enable her to thrive within varied family dynamics: supporting families with fertility issues, single mothers, mothers with a history of eating disorders or sexual abuse, grief and loss. When not busy with her four children, Lisa enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, photography and mountain living.

She also shares her creativity as a children’s book author at adventuresonpeacefulmountain.com.

Jamie Picket

My name is Jamie and I am a wife, mama, daughter, sister, friend, champion of people, teacher, doula, lover of Jesus + the ocean + laughing. My heart is happiest when I’m with my little tribe, chasing our three boys and enjoying this beautiful island we’ve called home for 11 years. I was born and raised in Southern California, where I got my BA + Masters in Teaching, then taught for six years on Maui before we decided to start a family of our own.

I began doula work alongside Bonnie after attending her Doulas Of Maui training in 2021, and have been blessed, honored, and humbled to serve families as a birth doula. I’ve since had the privilege of being a part of Bonnie’s team with Doulas of Maui’s  trainings. What a gift it is to gather women together to learn about birth and each other, to grow as individuals and as a group— as we equip ourselves to support and encourage families through birth and beyond.

My experience of this incredible training opened up my heart and mind to the wonders and realities of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. This course is essential for women ready to enter the sacred space as a mama or a birth worker. I recommend it to everyone who wants to dive in the support was tremendous.

Kelly

After this magnificent training, I feel profoundly empowered with a deeper awareness of motherhood, birth, doulaing and life in general. This training should be mandatory for all humans.

Sarah

I could write a novel. I wish I could experience the course all over again. I loved every minute. am beyond grateful for this experience and opportunity. It has given me excitement for my new journey

Tatianna

I am so grateful to know and learn from incredible, inspiring, kind women who walk their talk.

Ali