This workshop addresses the special role of doulas in working with survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including sexual trauma and trauma resulting from a previous birth experience. Because memories of abuse and trauma are both psychological and physical, somatic responses can occur during significant developmental periods or stressful life events. Pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period can, therefore, be particularly vulnerable times for people who have experienced abuse and trauma. Triggered responses may be expected or come unexpectedly. They can be mild or severe, and can dramatically impact outcomes and the birth experience, physically and emotionally.

Childhood sexual abuse is pervasive in our society. An estimated one in four girls and one in six boys experiences sexual abuse, whether emotional, physical, and/or verbal. Additionally, one in four American people who have experienced labor identifies their birth experience as “traumatic” for a variety of reasons. Doulas should understand, recognize, and be able to respond to the effects of trauma, without re-traumatizing their clients. This workshop emphasizes physical, psychological and emotional safety for client and doula. Objectives:

Students will learn to recognize:

• Common manifestations of symptoms and behaviors that may be exhibited during pregnancy, labor and birth, breastfeeding, or early parenting
• How actions and events during labor and delivery may trigger memories, anxiety, or adverse reactions
• How triggering can interfere with the birth or taking care of a infant
• The potential need for doula self-care when one is witness to triggering Students will be able to:
• Differentiate between helpful and non-helpful responses to a disclosure of child abuse
• Utilize some specific discussion strategies in regard trauma experiences and triggers
• Learn specific interventions and self-help counseling strategies to help trauma survivors manage common difficulties (i.e. panic attacks, containing distressing thoughts, and others) reduce fears in order to prepare for the events of labor, birth, and breastfeeding
• Collaborate with survivors create a birth plan to avoid, minimize, and/or manage anticipated triggers during labor and birth

Fee: $60

Continuing Education Credits (CEs) offered through DONA International

• Become familiar with the normal structure of the pelvis, its muscles, and ligaments
• Learn to instruct clients in basic body movements, comfort measures, and touch to encourage relaxation and balance in the pelvic floor
• Learn to identify the clues to suboptimal baby positions and what positions and movements can create space for baby to find their path

Fee: $50

Continuing Education Credits (CEs) offered through DONA International

Want to know how to use acupressure effectively in your doula practice to reduce pain, improve fetal positioning, and help your client to relax? Join me Wednesday for a two-hour workshop and this useful skill to your doula tool kit. Students will learn techniques and be able to utilize acupressure for:

• Relaxation
• Encouraging mental clarity and anxiety relief
• Encouraging optimal fetal positioning
• Encouraging labor contractions and cervical change
• Pain relief
• Encouraging lactation
• Promoting urination
• Quelling nausea

Fee: $50

Continuing Education Credits (CEs) offered through DONA International

In this workshop, you will learn about using a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit to help with the pain of childbirth, Studies have shown the obstetric TENS to be effective for pain control particularly in the lower back. Students will learn how it works and why and be able to open discussion about a TENS with their clients.

A TENS is one of my favorite essentials tools in the doula tool kit. This workshop will demonstrate an Obi TENS and discuss the Elle TENS and others.

The workshop offers a certificate for 1 CEU from DONA International and fulfills their requirement for TENS training.

Fee: $30

Continuing Education Credits (CEs) offered through DONA International