Doula training is now available here in Geelong and the Surf Coast with Kellie Whiskin, an experienced and qualified Doula, Counsellor and Movement Therapist.
"My mission is to provide a doula training experience full of education and inspiration that meets your passion and desire to support women and their families throughout their experience of pregnancy, birth and beyond. A professional training for working with women in a personal capacity. Continuing to support women the old fashioned way!"
“With a great line up of guest speakers, carefully selected study topics, delicious food and a nurturing environment, you will thoroughly enjoy this training experience.”
Dates: See training overiew below
Days: fortnightly on a friday night 7.30pm to 10pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 3.30pm
(17 consecutive fortnights).
Cost: $1700 (or $1500 up front once off payment).
Payment plans are available please feel free to ask.
Venue: Torquay, Surf Coast
Training Overview
Week 1 - 2nd and 3rd May - Welcome Weekend
- Welcome and Introduction to the training
- Enjoy getting to know each other
- Expectations of the training and personal outcomes
Week 2 - 16th and 17th May - Becoming a birth and parenting professional
- What is a doula?
- The role of a doula
- Becoming a birth and parenting professional
- Diversity of women and couples seeking support
- Effective communication techniques
Week 3 - 30th and 31st May - Wellbeing in pregnancy
- Pregnancy - The early days
- Wellbeing in pregnancy - including physical, emotional, natural physiological and spiritual changes
- Recognising ante natal depression
- Support networks - get to know local health professionals and what they offer
Week 4 - 13h and 14th June - Preparing for birth
- Guest Speaker - Judy Van Dreven, Midwife and Owner of The Birth House, Geelong.
- Preparing for birth, what are the options?
- Childbirth education and phyical preparation
- Routine screening tests in pregnancy
- Choosing the right support team/health professionals
Week 5 - 27th and 28th June - Stages of labour
- Guest Speaker - Rhea Dempsey - Transforming pain in childbirth "Embracing the Intensity"
- Taking a look at the stages of labour and the importance of a stong support team
- Recognising signs of labour
- Movement in birth - active labour and birthing positions
Week 6 - 11h and 12th July - Being at birth
- Partners and their role at birth.
- Archetypes at birth
- Recognising perceptions and perspectives of birth from all angles
- Communication techniques
- Working along side birth professionals
Week 7 - 25th and 26th July - Holistic approaches to pregnancy and birth
- Guest Speaker - Petra Jolly - Accupuncturist and owner of Newtown Natural Fertility and IVF.
- Holistic approaches - Emphasising the importance of the whole experience and the interdependence of its parts.
- Celebrating birth - blessingway ceremonies, baby/mother showers and the importance of building strong support networks
Week 8 - 8th and 9th August - Birth has arrived - All about birth
- All about birth
- Terminology
- Doula preparation for birth - nourishment, birth bag
- Pre-labour, birth, early hours post birth
- Learn skills for working in challenging situations
- Defining your role as doula - check in point
Week 9 - 22nd and 23rd August 5th and 6th September - Unexpected outcomes - Grief and loss
- Unexpected outcomes
- How to continue holding the space in all outcomes
- Take a look at grief and loss in all forms
- Grief and Loss covers a broad spectrum of topics and can relate to many areas of a woman's and couples pregnancy, birth and early parenting experience
- Who's supporting you while you are supporting others?
- Debriefing - for doulas and couples
Week 10 - 5th and 6th September - Breasteeding
- Guest Speaker - Wendy Wright - Lactation Consultant
- Early days post birth - the importance of rest, nourishment, hydration and support
- Recognising the physiological changes of mother and baby
- Breastfeeding - introduction to supporting a new mother and baby
Week 11 - 19th and 20th September - Early parenting period - Days 1 - 14 and beyond
- Guest Speaker - Sarah Kavanagh - Credential Mental Health Nurse
- Taking a look at the Early parenting period
- Learn skills in recognising post natal depression
- Importance of rest for mother and baby
- Learn some tips on reading a baby's cues and effective sleep settling techniques
Week 12 - 3rd and 4th October - Post birth physiology - a closer look
- Guest Speaker - Celia Bolton - Continence and Women's Health Physiotherapist and owner of Innerstrength Physiotherapy
- A closer look at post birth physiology
- Pelvic floor, gentle exercise and rest post birth
- Post natal overview
Week 13 - 17th and 18th October - Check in point 1
- This week we will take time out to look at any topics of interest that have not been covered or the group would like to know more about
Week 14 - 31st October and 1st November - Check in point 2
- This week we will take time out to look at any topics of interest that have not been covered or the group would like to know more about
- Develop your doula skills
Week 15 - 14th and 15th November - Building your business
- Taking a look at the business side of things...
- Discover your purpose - why is it we do what we do?
- Begin to brainstorm what you want your business to look like.
- Mind maps, marketing and building your business
- Networking and mentoring
Week 16 - 28th an 29th November - Creating your vision
- Create your very own vision board and have fun creating your vision as a doula
- More business mentoring, business tips and support
Week 17 - 12th and 13th November - Reflection and completion of training
- Today will be spent reflecting on our experience of the training together
- Certificate presentation
- Closure of the group
