What did past participants think about this training?

“This training gave me so much information about mothers and newborns that I had no clue of. This training adequately supplied answers to my questions.”

~Training June 2018

“I like the philosophical in addition to practical."

~Training June 2018

“It exceeded my expectations. I had no idea before hand what role of Doula entailed, but now I feel quite knowledgeable.”

~Training October 2019

“There’s more that I’d like to learn, do, read, practice but I think the training was a helpful overview in the basics of what an infant, mother, partner need physically and emotionally in the first weeks. For a brief training I felt it was comprehensive.”

~Training October 2019

“There was enough information for me to feel well educated on the various topics but not feel overwhelmed.”

~Training October 2019

"I thoroughly enjoyed the two last days of presentations when we learned about newborn care through the Montessori lens. Anyone can read about infant care and supporting the family anywhere but having this perspective was really valuable. This provided an indirect opportunity to model how to communicate and set boundaries in the role of the doula. Even though I’ve bathed countless babies before, I loved the infant bathing demo."

~Training May 2020

"The content was all very useful and presented in a clear manner! "

~Training May 2020

"The presentations each had merit and were sequenced well to build a foundational understanding helpful to grasp the broadening understanding as we progressed from the nurturing familial comforts of Erin Rose to the more clinical perspective of Julie Convisser."

~Training May 2020

"... Cynthia’s years of invaluable experience and education shine through every demonstration. Her language and way of interacting with the baby rub off on you as you watch and listen."

~Training May 2020

"Appreciative of knowing my community has PP doula services available. Working almost 20 months in the field as a nurse, and did not hear of this resource. So glad someone included nurses at UVA in offering this training."

~Training May 2020

"Thank you so much for pivoting to this difficult circumstance and offering the virtual training! I enjoyed "meeting" the others and feel prepared to begin supporting postpartum families."

~Training May 2020

"Thanks so much for offering this training. I felt so lucky to be a part of it!"

~Training, January 2022

I appreciate how Jen, the preemie twin parent presenter, mentioned both how birthing prematurely impacted her in terms of pregnancy as a sensitive period for parenting, and the spiritual preparation of the adult, to view it with a Montessori lens.

~Training, January 2022

What did past participants find most helpful in their training?

“Bringing your different styles of being a Doula to the class. Helpful to hear your philosophies and practical techniques.”

~Training June 2018

“Seeing the bath, the toys, handouts, meeting other future Doulas, examples given from past experiences (love stories!)”

~Training June 2018

"Talking about the role of Doula and boundaries.”

~Training June 2018

"The visuals. I appreciated the informative videos, the demonstration with the breast lactation consultant, and watching the baby.”

~Training October 2019

"I LOVE the breastfeeding graph and overall assessment advice given by Val. I have been implementing that all with my own clients since the last time I did this training and I wish I would have had this knowledge with my first babe!"

~Training January 2022

"The breastfeeding presentation done by Val is so incredibly useful. Helping women with breastfeeding is such an important element of all doula relationships and its the most complicated, in my opinion. There are so many moving factors, and having this information laid out and broken down to be easily recorded and discussed is AMAZING. I have revisited my notes from last year and put this into practice with all of my clients and with the midwife practice I apprentice with."

~Training January 2022

"I found the emphasis on the slow, gentle, respectful approach most beneficial. Earlier in instruction, I noticed the point of respecting the baby and seeing it displayed during the bath proved best practice. I will gladly teach parents that some of the benefits of respecting the baby are teaching body autonomy and the value of self care."

~Training January 2022