Advanced Birth Support Skills: EpiDoula - Reducing Complications

Attend in-person OR virtually by Zoom

- Registration is the same for both -

EpiDoula® Workshop Advanced Skills Program!

Who is this course for? This program is for doulas, nurses, midwives, obstetricians, even mothers and their partners or any other labor support companion who wants to enhance their knowledge base and help support birthing people who utilize epidural pain relief, to reduce their risk of complications.

Cesarean rates are highest among mothers who receive an epidural in labor.  Mothers are requesting epidurals more often than ever.  Women are also opting not to hire a doula, because they believe having an epidural means they will not need support, but it is evident than a mother laboring with an epidural is actually in greater need of specifically skilled support, in order to prevent a cesarean, than a mother without any sort of pain relief.

"This workshop is worth every penny. It has completely changed the way I am able to doula my moms with epidurals." - Jenny Marx

Here is an article by Henci Goer on Science & Sensibility that we appreciate on the subject: "Epidurals, do they or don't they increase cesareans"

Many doulas have training that is specifically focused on natural, unmedicated childbirth. This is immensely important, but we hear from doulas all the time who don't know how to proceed once a mother chooses an epidural, and it happens sometimes - no matter how much you help a mother to prepare. Sometimes women are induced, or for some other reason end up benefitting from epidural pain relief. Without judgment, we need to recognize the need for specific education on how to support a woman with this kind of intervention.

Through this unique program, MaternityWise provides additional skills specific to the needs of caregivers who serve mothers with epidural pain relief.  This program is for doulas, nurses, midwives, obstetricians, even mothers and their partners or any other labor support companion. There are no pre-requisites, but a basic knowledge of birth-related anatomy/physiology and labor support would be helpful. 

When you've attended the EpiDoula® workshop, you will receive a frame-able Certificate of Completion to compliment all of your other achievements.

This is considered an Advanced Skills Birth Support Training and while there are no pre-requisites, you should already be a maternal health caregiver in some form (doula, nurse, Midwife, OB, childbirth educator, community birth worker, chiropractor, massage therapist or a student of any of these roles)

Remember, you do not have to already be a doula to attend as this workshop. It is open to the public and can be used to increase your knowledge and skills in any maternity caregiving role.

This course will provide the following competencies:

- comfort measures for patients who are still feeling pain, while immobilized

- emotional support for patients who experience a "disconnect" from their labor

- supporting those who choose epidurals in response to a traumatic experience (current labor / previous event)

- partner engagement 

- the benefits of epidurals and how to use them to help achieve a vaginal birth

- the detriments of epidurals in relation to negative emotional and physical outcomes

- anatomy and physiology of the laboring body while utilizing epidural pain relief (because there are differences!)

- belly mapping and hands-on rotation techniques "bedside"

- optimal maternal-fetal positioning techniques specific to the limitations of epidural immobility

- basic understanding of fetal heart tone patterns and what baby could be telling us

- augmenting labor naturally when progress has slowed after epidural placement

- complications common with epidurals; prevention of, recognition of, assisting and overcoming

10am - 4pm with a break for lunch @ 1230-1 (on your own)

The EpiDoula® Program is completely unique. There is no other program in existence teaching this special skill set. We realize that you want this training brought to your city too.  If you're interested in bringing this workshop to your city, please contact us.

Sign up now to hold your spot!

This class will be recorded live as you are participating in it.  You'll be sent the recording during the week after the workshop.  If you can't make it, you'll still have access to the class recording!!

All Students will receive the virtual links to the class as well as supplemental materials the week prior to the class and access to the class recording within 1 week after.  Please indicate on your ticket whether you are attending in person or virtually.