How is the hands-on component done?
Students do their practicum in their own community. Birth doula students will need to seek out a mentor who is a practicing doula, childbirth educator, midwife, nurse or someone who has some experience with normal childbirth, though in reality anyone can take on this mentor role if necessary. The mentor helps to carry out carefully designed role-play activities that are woven into the work of the course. This is to ensure that when you are done with a doula training program at Aviva Institute you will not feel “out of place” but confident when you begin your work as a doula. In order to become certified you will need to attend three births during the first year after you have completed the birth doula course. Other doula courses are done in a weekend, why is the Aviva Institute so much longer? We have found that most people can’t absorb the amount of material crammed in a weekend course. This six-week course allows participants to absorb and discuss information provided. The course mee
