Missy has been a certified doula through DONA for 10 years and her certification was up for renewal.  I was looking for an organization to get my initial credentials. I asked all of my doula friends who they went through and why before finally landing on BEST Doula Training.  If you are interested in becoming a doula or childbirth educator, take a look for yourself. The best part was that we could do the training together and have the words to communicate about our business.

Why BEST?  They offered the easiest and one of the most comprehensive programs out there.  The program is super inclusive and includes training in trauma sensitivity, c-section and induction care, and racial inequalities in healthcare.  All things that are important to me.  I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy the precertification training was to navigate.  They had a reading list of books, podcasts, meditations (which appeal to my yogi side), and videoed births that demonstrate so many of the topics we learned about during our research. All the lessons and readings had to be completed before our in person training.

But how was the training?  We were greeted like old friends as we entered a training suite in Atlanta.  There were other women in the room and lots more joining us virtually.  To say that the training was jam packed with information is an understatement.  We were busy learning from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with just a lunch break to rest out spinning minds.  We covered comfort measures and counter pressures, branding and marketing, signs and stages of labor, and everything in between. We were encouraged to practice everything that we learned by getting down on the floor with our classmates and recreating scenarios and how we would respond.  The virtual students were encouraged to partner with others online or in their home to do the same thing and share in these experiences. Three very full days later, we emerged with tests in our inbox and dreams of brand new babies in our heads.

How were the other people? The other people in the group were wonderfully diverse.  We had those from all over the country, in all walks of life, educational backgrounds, and experience levels. Some of us have already had births of our own and others were so young they haven't had time enough for that yet.  We were all there because we believe that everyone should have someone to support them during this miraculous time of birth.  We laughed a lot and even shared a few tears but all left feeling like we were now part of a larger sisterhood.

What now?  We have joked for years that one day we would be doulas and business partners.  I've even had a pinterest board called "my future career as a doula" for as long as I can remember.  Now is the time.  We are opening our outdoor yoga studio and wellness center so that we can help as many people as we can live the lives they've imagined they could. Doula services are a large part of that.  When the whole person is healthy and happy, the family gets stronger, relationships improve, and children thrive. We can't wait to see where this journey takes us!

​Brooke