OT: ALACE Labor Assistant/Birth Doula Training

October 11, 2005

Greetings Raw Soulers,

This is completely off topic, but I thought that some of you might be interested an upcoming opportunity to learn to assist women, and families, in childbirth.

The ALACE Labor Assistant/Birth Doula Workshop is quickly approaching. It will take place from October 21 - October 23, 2005 (Friday to Sunday) in downtown Silver Spring. The location is great (metro accessible, two blocks from the beltway, and free parking)!

If you, or someone you know, are interested in getting started on the Doula journey, this is a fantastic opportunity. ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators) is the oldest Birth Doula training program in the country. They used to go by the moniker Informed Homebirth/Informed Birth & Parenting. This promises to be an exciting and informative workshop, and the instructor is phenomenal. I know an experienced doula who took this course last year. Although she had been attending birth for years, she said the training forever changed the way she supports women in labor. I also talked to

several people who attended the May workshop, and they say the experience was actually life changing.

Who should take this training? Anybody interested in supporting mothers and families through the birthing process is a welcome candidate. Childbirth educators and birth doulas, will find the training highly beneficial. The good news is that there are discounts available to individuals who are ALACE trained CBEs or who have attended any Birth Doula workshop in the past (the discount is steeper if the previous training was with ALACE). If you already support with women as an LC, BF peer counselor, nurse, nursing student, masseuse, Rieki practitioner, or counselor, these skills will blend well with the work of a Labor Assistant/ Birth Doula.

The training costs $425. This is a significant investment, but it is well worth every penny. As stated previously discounts are available, and the ALACE office is more than willing to work out a payment plan with those needing that service. Further, working as a Birth Doula will help you supplement your income quite nicely. Doula’s can make between $300 and $800 per birth, and in the DC metro area those prices usually fall closer to the $500 to $800 range.

The training weekend is fast approaching, so the time to call for more information is RIGHT NOW! The workshop sponsor is Liz Kaufman. She can be reached at 202-446-4400 or birthchedva

Thanks,

Nikia Sankofa, CLEC

HELP SUPPORT WOMEN IN CHILDBIRTHBecome a Certified Labor AssistantwithALACEThe Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth EducatorsPLEASE JOIN USin metro Washington, DC fromOctober 21-23, 2005*share your enthusiasm for birth**make a real difference in the births you attend**deepen your understanding of pregnancy and birth in various settings**help women avoid unnecessary cesareans**earn income (usually $300-$800/birth)*

FOR MORE INFOPLEASE CONTACT LIZ KAUFMAN202-446-4400birthchedva

or

1 (888) 22-ALACEwww.alace.orgPLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND POST ON YOUR LISTSERVS.NAMASTE,LIZThere are many enthusiastic women in this area looking for financial assistance to take this workshop. Please contact Liz if you know of any individuals or groups who would like to provide scholarships or work-study opportunities.