For aspiring doulas in San Francisco and other nearby cities in California, welcome to this comprehensive guide! If you are interested in helping expecting parents throughout their pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum journey… then you’ve definitely come to the right place!
In this article, we have put together a list of the top doula training centers in your area. For each training center, we feature their specific programs, covered topics, registration costs, and other important details. Without further ado, read on to learn how you can become a trained and certified doula!
Harmony Doula Mentoring
Trainer: Teri Nava-Anderson, Ph.D.
Address: San Francisco, California
Phone Number: (408) 391-7797
Email: teri@harmonydoula.com
Website: http://harmonydoulatraining.com/
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest
Training and Certification Offered:
- Birth Doula Training Workshop (USD 695)
- Postpartum Doula Training Workshop (USD 695)
- Combined Birth and Postpartum Doula Workshop (USD 1,295)
Mode of Training: Virtual
Duration: 4 days (separate workshops), 6 days (combined workshop)
About the Trainer:
- Birth and Postpartum Doula
- Childbirth Educator
- Lactation Educator
How to Register: Visit this link to know the schedule and to register for Harmony Doula Mentoring’s birth and postpartum training workshops. You can also get in touch with them via phone, email, or by filling out the contact form at https://harmonydoula.com/contact.html.
Heather Gail Lovejoy
Trainer: Heather Gail Lovejoy
Address: Santa Rosa and San Francisco, California
Phone Number: 408-315-6521
Email: HeatherGail@HeatherGail.com
Website: https://heathergail.com/
Social Media: Instagram
Training and Certification Offered:
- Postpartum Doula Workshop (USD 700 Registration Fee)
Mode of Training: In-person, Virtual
Duration: 3 days
Other Services:
- Postpartum Doula Services (USD 45-85/hour)
- Private Life Coaching Sessions (USD 1,797/3 months)
About the Trainer:
- Postpartum Certified Doula (DONA International)
- Postpartum Doula Trainer (DONA International)
- Certified Life Coach
How to Register: Contact Heather Gail Lovejoy through phone or email. You can also schedule a 30-minute complimentary Zoom call with her at https://scheduler.zoom.us/heathergail-she-her/30-minute-chat.
Julie Doula Workshop
Trainer: Julie Thompson
Address: San Francisco, California
Phone Number: 814-512-2718
Email: juliedoulaworkshop@gmail.com
Website: https://www.juliedoulaworkshop.com/
Training and Certification Offered:
- Birth Doula Workshop (USD 625 early bird special / USD 700)
Mode of Training: In-person
Duration: 3 days
About the Trainer:
- Certified Postpartum Doula
- Childbirth Educator
- Certified Infant Massage Instructor
- Certified Lactation Consultant
- DONA Birth Doula Trainer
How to Register: You can contact Julie Thompson by calling 814-512-2718 or by sending an email to juliedoulaworkshop@gmail.com.
Topics Covered During the Doula Training Course
Below is a list of some of the topics covered by each training center. Both Harmony Doula Mentoring and Julie Doula Workshop focus on the whole process (i.e. pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum periods), while Heather Gail Lovejoy focuses mainly on postpartum topics and practices.
Harmony Doula Mentoring:
- Childbirth Education (e.g. Anatomy and physiology of Labor, Biomechanics of the Pelvis)
- The Role of a Doula and the Benefits of Having a Doula
- Holistic Approach to Pregnancy and Birth
- Nutrition, Physical and Emotional Wellness
- Theories of Pain perception and Potential Consequences of Fear in Labor
- Culturally and Ethically Responsible Use of Tools (e.g. Rebozo)
- Interventions and Augmentations Available in Integrative Medicine
- Strategies and Skills for Supporting Emotional Well-being and Healthy Physical Recovery
- Basic Lactation Support Education
- Newborn Feeding Skills
- Perinatal and Postpartum Emotional, Mood, and Anxiety Disorders
- Healthy Sleep Practices and Newborn Care Skills
- Effective Communication, Active Listening, Conflict Resolution, and Advocacy Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills for Assessing Research and Evidence
- Marketing and Business Organizational Skills for Doulas
Julie Doula Workshop:
- Introduction to Childbirth
- Breastfeeding Course
- The Role of the Doula
- Scope of Practice
- Hands-on Comfort Measures
- Emotional Support During Pregnancy/Birth
- Medications/Medical Interventions
- Code of Ethics
- New Certification Process
- Working with Partners
- Working with Other Professionals (Being a Team Player)
- Challenging Childbirth
Heather Gail Lovejoy:
- Physical and Emotional Recovery After Birth
- Adjusting to Having a Newborn in the Home
- Sleeping and Feeding Methods for Babies
- Practical, Educational, and Emotional Care Skills for Doulas
- Observation of Role-play Scenarios
Cost of Becoming a Doula in San Francisco
Workshop costs vary slightly among the above training centers. For instance, Julie Doula Workshop offers Birth Doula Training for USD 700 per participant; the rate is discounted (USD 625) for “early bird” registrants.
Harmony Doula Mentoring, on the other hand, offers separate workshops for Birth Doula Training and Postpartum Doula Training at USD 695 each. Additionally, the training center also provides a “combined” Birth and Postpartum Doula Workshop, which is priced at USD 1,295 per registrant.
As for Heather Gail Lovejoy, her Postpartum Doula Workshop has a registration fee of USD 700 each. She offers payment plans, specifically two options: (a) two payments of USD 350 each; or (b) three payments of USD 233 each. What’s more, since she is also a Certified Life Coach, Heather Gail Lovejoy offers Private Life Coaching Sessions for USD 1,797 — a fee that includes several sessions to be held within a three-month period.
How to Become a Certified Doula in San Francisco
Training with any of the above centers is considered as a “first step” towards certification with Doulas of North America (DONA) International. Founded in 1992, DONA International is a professional membership and training organization for doulas.
According to Harmony Doula Mentoring and Julie Doula Workshop, their workshops include all the coursework required for certification, such as Childbirth Education and Lactation Education. However, these are not the only requirements to be “DONA certified.” Trainees will have to complete some paperwork, work with at least three clients, and fulfill other requirements. You can go to the DONA International official website for the complete list of certification requirements for Birth Doulas as well as Postpartum Doulas.
Meanwhile, since Heather Gail Lovejoy focuses on Postpartum Doula Training, those who are able to complete her workshop are considered as “one step” closer towards their DONA International certification.
Final Thoughts
Training to become a doula could be one of the most rewarding career choices you could ever make. Indeed, providing guidance and support to parents during their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods is both noble and fulfilling! Starting with the above list, we wish you all the best as you pursue the journey towards becoming a certified and successful doula!
NOTE: For their latest details and fees, contact the above training centers directly through their official websites. You can also double check to make sure that these centers are accredited by a recognized doula organization.