Postpartum Intensive November, 2016

We are offering a postpartum doula training for people who want to work outside the box. This course will give the student an in-depth understanding of the period from birth to eight weeks postpartum. The physical, emotional and psychological experience of the postpartum period will be discussed and challenges during this time will be examined. Alternative methods of maintaining postpartum health will be explored.

The course runs from November 18, 19, 20, 2016 and the cost will be $350; $300 earlybird special (register before September 18, 2016).

What will be covered? Day One: The normal mother baby after birth from birth to eight weeks postpartum: mother care, baby care, feeding, emotional health, family, and more. Day Two: Challenges during the postpartum period: what to do? When to refer? Day Three: Role play, discussions and case studies. The workshop lasts three days and will continue with mentorship and support afterwards.

Meet our teacher:, Erin Ryan CPM

"I began working professionally as a midwife in 2000, In that time I have attended over 900 births, working throughout the US as well as rural clinics in Bali.  In my 2 years in Bali I worked in a clinic as well as doing home births and I served women from over 15 countries.  I’ve seen babies born in many different environments, and I have worked with women and families from many different cultures from all corners of the globe.  In all circumstances, the constant has been loving care and respect for the mothers I work with.

My fascination with birth started at a young age.  A Laura Wilder fan, I was curious about how pioneer women delivered their babies on the frontier.  Life led me from Little House on the Prairie to the University of California at Berkeley.  After graduating, I immediately began pursuing midwifery, working as a volunteer doula at the county hospital, and later attending and graduating from the National Midwifery Institute.   While gaining a strong academic foundation, I trained as all good midwives traditionally have, through apprenticeship with some of the best.  My education did not end there; I continue to learn through research, consulting with midwives and other medical professionals and most importantly from the wisdom of mothers.  I pass this knowledge along to my colleagues and clients to continue improving birth experiences for women everywhere."

Interested? email us at mbcdoulaschool@gmail(dot)com

Birth in Bali

Katherine Bramhall, who will be part of the workshop coming up in Bali this April, was influential - dare I say pivotal - pushy even - in my decision to go to Bali as an intern last summer.

I was honoured to be part of an amazing phenomenon that is happening in Bali and around the world. Robin Lim, or Ibu Robin, as she is known by those who have heard of her, is the mainstay of a birth house in Bali where women come from miles around to give birth to their babies. Birth at Bumi Sehat is free of charge for those who cannot pay, and the midwives that assist them care for these women with love, respect, and skill.

If you are interested in midwifery, and you would like to learn about caring for women in a new way, then this workshop is for you:

Midwifery in Bali

It will cost a lot of money - but it is so worth it! I went there for six weeks with my husband and our youngest son. I have been studying midwifery for 25 years and practising for fifteen, and I learned something big during my stay there EVERY SINGLE DAY. I did not go with too many preconceptions, but I was amazed at how much I learned there and continue to learn from Ibu Robin, from Erin Ryan, from the midwives, the bidans, the people I met, the wonderful support staff, and of course from the women I served.

I was there during a slow period, and didn't see as many births as is usual for six weeks - but my days were as full as could be.

If you have any questions about this amazing possibility, please let me know and I will be happy to open my heart to you.

One of the sweet babes born when I was there

Going to work!

Candle with flowers