Gain real, practical support skills to use when clients utilize an epidural, and significantly reduce complications along with risk of cesarean. Specific epidural-maternal-fetal positioning and hands-on practice for doulas who want to do more to prevent negative outcomes.
 
Attend virtually by Zoom
 
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 trauma, cesaream or any other unintended outcome, 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
 
 
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 your client to prepare.
 
More and more often, we see mothers who 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 clients 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.  There are no pre-requisites, but a basic knowledge of birth-related anatomy/physiology and labor support would be helpful. Ideally, you are already working in the labor support role and have at least entry level knowledge and skills.
 
This is not a doula certification program.  This is an advanced skills training program for those who are already trained and certifed labor doulas.  When you've attended the in-person EpiDoula® workshop, you will receive a frame-able Advanced Skills award to compliment all of your other achievements.  This self-study version of the program does not include the certificate.  However, you may request up to 2 CEs for this self study course.  Once you've completed this course, please get in touch to request your CE credits.
 
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
 
The EpiDoula® Program is completely unique. There is no other organization 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 for a live, in-person event, please contact us.