Continueing Education for Pregnancy Massage/Doula Services

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rebecca Overson on April 28, 2010 at 7:43pm

Hi Colleen,

I have seen this course (I became a proctor for someone locally) and honestly, I think there are much better options out there. I have the manual and I was not impressed at all. It is very, very basic and in my professional opinion, not adequate.

I'm very involved with the community of Doulas here in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I think your best bet is to find someone in your area who is a DONA-approved doula trainer, and just become a certified doula through DONA (doulas of north america... assuming you are in the US!) Your skills as a massage therapist will be naturally useful in that context.

And if you need more education in prenatal massage, I recommend taking an in-person certification course, or at a very minimum, purchasing either or all of the following (I have them all!):
- Elaine Stillerman's prenatal massage textbook (www.elsevierhealth.com)
- Leslie Stager's prenatal massage textbook
- Leslie Stager's Prenatal Massage DVD

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Rebecca Overson
Salt Lake Prenatal Massage
www.SLCPrenatalMassage.com

Permalink Reply by Colleen Smith, L.M.P. on April 28, 2010 at 9:52pm

I am really lucky to be in washington state. We have many really good schools here including Bastyr which has an amazing program for doula's. Thank you for your input. I think you may be right. It may be more beneficial for me to just do the actual doula training-even though it will take a lot longer and cost a lot more : ( It will be well worth the time, effort and money : )

Rebecca Overson said:

Hi Colleen,

I have seen this course (I became a proctor for someone locally) and honestly, I think there are much better options out there. I have the manual and I was not impressed at all. It is very, very basic and in my professional opinion, not adequate.

I'm very involved with the community of Doulas here in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I think your best bet is to find someone in your area who is a DONA-approved doula trainer, and just become a certified doula through DONA (doulas of north america... assuming you are in the US!) Your skills as a massage therapist will be naturally useful in that context.

And if you need more education in prenatal massage, I recommend taking an in-person certification course, or at a very minimum, purchasing either or all of the following (I have them all!):
- Elaine Stillerman's prenatal massage textbook (www.elsevierhealth.com)
- Leslie Stager's prenatal massage textbook
- Leslie Stager's Prenatal Massage DVD

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Rebecca Overson
Salt Lake Prenatal Massage
www.SLCPrenatalMassage.com

Permalink Reply by Rebecca Overson on April 29, 2010 at 10:42am

Colleen, oh my goodness, Bastyr and the Seattle School of Midwifery are INCREDIBLE! Yes, yes, yes, take advantage of those amazing resources right there for you. You will be far more satisfied and empowered by taking that route... at least that's my gut feeling. And when you are empowered, you will be successful at what you do. Keep me posted!

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:

I am really lucky to be in washington state. We have many really good schools here including Bastyr which has an amazing program for doula's. Thank you for your input. I think you may be right. It may be more beneficial for me to just do the actual doula training-even though it will take a lot longer and cost a lot more : ( It will be well worth the time, effort and money : )

Rebecca Overson said:

Hi Colleen,

I have seen this course (I became a proctor for someone locally) and honestly, I think there are much better options out there. I have the manual and I was not impressed at all. It is very, very basic and in my professional opinion, not adequate.

I'm very involved with the community of Doulas here in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I think your best bet is to find someone in your area who is a DONA-approved doula trainer, and just become a certified doula through DONA (doulas of north america... assuming you are in the US!) Your skills as a massage therapist will be naturally useful in that context.

And if you need more education in prenatal massage, I recommend taking an in-person certification course, or at a very minimum, purchasing either or all of the following (I have them all!):
- Elaine Stillerman's prenatal massage textbook (www.elsevierhealth.com)
- Leslie Stager's prenatal massage textbook
- Leslie Stager's Prenatal Massage DVD

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Rebecca Overson
Salt Lake Prenatal Massage
www.SLCPrenatalMassage.com

Permalink Reply by Exie Buehler on June 3, 2010 at 5:25pm

Hi Colleen,
I just want to add my 2-cents into this discussion.

I did take Judith Koch's program through the Institute of Somatic Therapy after I graduated from one of the best massage therapy schools in my state, Irene's Myomassology Institute, where I took both the hands-on prenatal massage and labor massage classes. I found Judith's program to be a good fit for me according to my previous training, family situation, and learning style. I have enjoyed the privilege of supporting the families of 19 babies, including a set of twins and a VBAC mom. I have had 2 families hire me twice and 1 family for three times, and have 5 more clients to doula in the upcoming months.

I have enjoyed serving temporarily as co-leader of my local BirthNetwork National chapter, and continue as a professional member of that great organization of birth professionals. I continue to grow as a Doula by continuing to take in knowledge through articles, networking with other birth pros outside of the massage profession, and reading great books by amazing authors and birth advocates such as Marsden Wagner, Jennifer Block, Tina Cassidy, Ina May Gaskin, and others. I have also developed great relationships with local midwives, labor & delivery nurses, OBs, and childbirth educators in my area.

While I agree with Rebecca that there are many other Doula certification programs out there (Birthing from Within, DONA, CAPPA, etc), certification alone does not make us great Doulas, nor is it a requirement in any state since we are not providing any medical/clinical care. What is important from a massage perspective, in my opinion, is that we get good hands-on training for prenatal massage, which can then be supplemented by the Doula training of our choice, and then continue our growth through experience, education, and networking. If we love pregnancy, honor the normalcy of birth, and work hard to create a circle of support around our clients, we will be the best Doulas we can be.

I am very happy with my education and I can honestly say that for me, becoming a Certified Massage Doula has been extremely rewarding and satisfying.

Permalink Reply by leslie stager on July 16, 2010 at 8:24pm

HI
I would recommend the same as Rebecca, and also direct you to MotherTouchFilms.com for review of my two films about touch and birth. THey are very useful for doulas.
Check out the Maternity Massage Certification Program at Oregon School of Massage, taught twice a year in Portland. Additionally, watch birthmassage.blogspot.com I am just getting it started but will be posting regularly there.
Best to you
Leslie Stager RN, LMT
Perinatal Bodywork Specialist

Permalink Reply by Colleen Smith, L.M.P. on September 1, 2010 at 1:26am

Thanks so much for the input. I really feel that I got a great education and have a good base knowledge of pregnancy massage. The more LMP's I meet and the more I find out about other massage schools I realize that I know sooo much more than most people got in school. So, at this point I am leaning towards the quickest, cheapest way to be able to say that I have taken a certification. Thanks again, for all the input!


Exie Buehler said:

Hi Colleen,
I just want to add my 2-cents into this discussion.

I did take Judith Koch's program through the Institute of Somatic Therapy after I graduated from one of the best massage therapy schools in my state, Irene's Myomassology Institute, where I took both the hands-on prenatal massage and labor massage classes. I found Judith's program to be a good fit for me according to my previous training, family situation, and learning style. I have enjoyed the privilege of supporting the families of 19 babies, including a set of twins and a VBAC mom. I have had 2 families hire me twice and 1 family for three times, and have 5 more clients to doula in the upcoming months.

I have enjoyed serving temporarily as co-leader of my local BirthNetwork National chapter, and continue as a professional member of that great organization of birth professionals. I continue to grow as a Doula by continuing to take in knowledge through articles, networking with other birth pros outside of the massage profession, and reading great books by amazing authors and birth advocates such as Marsden Wagner, Jennifer Block, Tina Cassidy, Ina May Gaskin, and others. I have also developed great relationships with local midwives, labor & delivery nurses, OBs, and childbirth educators in my area.

While I agree with Rebecca that there are many other Doula certification programs out there (Birthing from Within, DONA, CAPPA, etc), certification alone does not make us great Doulas, nor is it a requirement in any state since we are not providing any medical/clinical care. What is important from a massage perspective, in my opinion, is that we get good hands-on training for prenatal massage, which can then be supplemented by the Doula training of our choice, and then continue our growth through experience, education, and networking. If we love pregnancy, honor the normalcy of birth, and work hard to create a circle of support around our clients, we will be the best Doulas we can be.

I am very happy with my education and I can honestly say that for me, becoming a Certified Massage Doula has been extremely rewarding and satisfying.

Permalink Reply by Alesha Rivera on February 28, 2011 at 1:48pm

Colleen,

 

I also took Judith Koch's Prenatal Massage/Doula courses to prepare for my sister's birth 7 years ago.  It was the best thing I've done.  It gave me a foundation in which to comfort and help mothers-to-be. But I very much agree with  the others that recommend going beyond the home study course.  Getting real life experience and hands-on training is so very important! DONA is a great organization and reaching out to your local experts on the subject is invaluable!  I was able to shadow a DONA-approved Doula and participate in her classes and her training was far more valuable. Being part of those births is amazing! Having the confidence and knowledge to help each woman (and in turn their families) is a large responsibility and you want to make certain you never stop learning. Judith helped me begin my journey, but what I've learned since has really been what's allowed me the joy in all the birthing experiences I've been apart of year after year.  Best wishes on your search.