Become a Doula
Birth Doula Training
Start your journey with the core basics of becoming a birth doula...
a knowledgeable, experienced companion who is trained to provide emotional and physical support, encouragement and informational support for birthing people their families.
Birth Doula Training
DONA Approved/THW qualified
with IN PERSON AND LIVE VIRTUAL ~ on ZOOM OPTIONS
all sessions are 8:30 am - 6:30 pm PST
In Person
Live Virtual on Zoom
Start your journey with the core basics of becoming a birth doula...
a knowledgeable, experienced companion who is trained to provide emotional and physical support, encouragement and informational support for birthing people their families.
This Training qualifies for DONA International Certification Step 1 and the Oregon THW Credential Application.
A Variety of Topics Included in Birth Doula Training
40 hour course curriculum
(IN PERSON Trainings or LIVE VIRTUAL synchronous learning--global offerings)
Anatomy and physiology of labor, birth, maternal postpartum, neonatal transition, and
breastfeeding
Labor coping strategies, comfort measures and non-pharmacological techniques for pain
management
The reasons for procedures of, and risks and benefits of common medical interventions,
medications, and Cesarean birth
Emotional and psychosocial support of women and their support team
Birth doula scope of practice, standards of practice, and basic ethical principles
The role of the doula with members of the team
Communication skills, including active listening, cross-cultural communication and inter-
professional communication
Self-advocacy and empowerment technique
Breastfeeding support measures
Postpartum support measures for the mother and baby relationship
Perinatal mental health
Family Adjustment and dynamics
Evidence-informed educational and informational strategies
Community resources referrals
Professional conduct, including relationship boundaries and maintaining confidentiality
Self-Care
17. Historical context and health equity of supporting birthing people and more!!!!
This course is valid for the OHA Traditional Health Worker: DOULA pathway in Oregon (MEDICAID reimbursement) and DONA International approved and qualifies as the first step towards doula certification.
Birth Doula Training 40 hours (IN PERSON or LIVE VIRTUAL)
Business of Being a Doula 1 hrs
Cultural Competency for Doulas 6 hrs (ON DEMAND)
Adopting Trauma Informed Care 6 hrs (ON DEMAND)
Collaborative Professionalism Practice 12 hrs (ON DEMAND)
HIPAA (ON DEMAND 1)
Blood Born Pathogens/Oral Health Training (2 hrs) ON DEMAND
Weekly Doula Talk Mentor Hour (LIVE VIRTUAL)
Birth Doula Prerequisites
Watch How Racism Harms Pregnant Women -- and What Can Help | Miriam Zoila Pérez
Start to read the Birth Partner Handbook by Penny Simkin
Includes personal copy of The Integrated Doula: Instructional Video including coping techniques, supportive birth environment, positions and massage in a birth room.
Hear from others about their experience.
"Jesse is a wonderful trainer. She used inclusive language and provided information from diverse sources. She is clearly a very knowledgeable trainer, and also able to present that knowledge in a way that's digestible and engaging! She shows respect to all the learners, and fostered an environment of community, vulnerability, and deep learning and expression."
- Class Attendee
"Wow.. where do I start?! Jesse was a fantastic teacher. She kept me engaged the whole 4 days, she was a wealth of knowledge. I can't speak higher of Jesse. I feel absolutely prepared to hit the ground running with my new business. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't wait to take more trainings offered by MotherTree and Jesse, because I will DEFINITELY be back for more."
- Class Attendee
"This was one of the most incredible 4 days of my life. Jesse created an amazing experience here, opening her home, kitchen, and heart to us and teaching us from the depths of her 30 years of experience. I was already certified as a doula through a separate organization and I still learned SO MUCH. I feel emotional about leaving here today and I hope I get to come back and take another class from Jesse someday. I don't even mind traveling 6 hours again to do it!"
- Class Attendee
Jesse's warmth, wisdom and extensive knowledge made her an amazing trainer. I so appreciate her willingness to share personal stories and really engage with each of us in the class. Even in the ZOOM format, she made us laugh, move, think, process and dream.
- Class Attendee
This course was truly life changing. It brought attention to different struggles, strengths, and injustices surrounding people of color, transgendered, and young and older families. Many cultures practices were woven into our lessons. This course was led with such compassion and love. Jesse truly is the person I recommend everybody learn from. Open dialogue to discuss feelings, thoughts, and questions. We weren't just taught our lessons, she helped us LEARN. She sent us out into the world with love, confidence, and a whole community of women that I didn't even realize I needed. Those that have not had a chance to meet and learn from Mother Tree truly is missing out. That woman is incredible! Thank you!!
- Class Attendee
Could there be a better leader?! Jesse’s expertise and ability to lean in with inclusivity and an overall noticeable effort to remove the stigma of competition in the birth field was admirable. All people, all experiences, all stories shared were given the utmost respect and consideration to each nuance of what beautiful forces brought these people to birthing and ultimately to expanding their families through love and learning was such a prominent component. There is a reason every one knows her in the birth world, and I’m so excited and honored to have been under her tutelage and look forward to how the work continues! --Syd
Are you ready to get certified?
Meet Your Lead Instructor
Jesse Remer
she/her
CD/BDT(DONA), PCD/PDT(DONA) LCCE, FACCE; Mother Tree Founder (DONA) Certified Birth Doula; DONA International Birth & Postpartum Doula Trainer; Founding Member, Oregon Doula Association (Education Chair); Executive Director, PDX Doulas; Principal, Gateway Doula Group; Lamaze Childbirth Educator, Mother Tree International Mentor
For the past three decades she has supported healthy birth outcomes as a Lamaze Childbirth Educator, DONA International Birth and Postpartum Doula Trainer and Founder of Mother Tree International. She has supported thousands of families and doulas in the childbearing year. Learn more about Jesse and our other mentors here.
The Birth Doula Training is only $1100!
(That is less than 1 paid clients!)
PLUS... Save money on packages and Bundles!
Doula Training Package
$1850
Postpartum Doula Training
(Value $950)
Birth Doula Training
(Value $1100)
Doula Business Package
$3800
3 months Business
Incubator
(Value $2900)
Choose between Birth Doula (Value $1100) OR Postpartum Training ($950)
6 Months of Mother Tree Mentorship Community
($ 582)
Doula Business Bundle
$5000
Birth Doula Training
(Value $1100)
Postpartum Training
(Value $950)
Doula Business Incubator
(Value $2900)
1 year of Mother Tree Mentorship Community
(Value $1,164)
Includes 1 year membership to Gateway Community Group an Billing Hub
($140)
Learn more about the Doula Business Incubator, Mother Tree Community, and the Postpartum Doula Training.
Next Available Classes
March 20-23, 2025 (Portland, OR)
April 10-13 2025
May 22-24 2025 (Portland, OR)
JUNE 19-22 2025 (Astoria, OR )
August 14-17 (Portland, OR)
Hear about more experiences from our community!
