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my experience of being a doula has shown me that it is a lifetime study of self-in-relation. part "calling" and part "work-in-progress" with many layers... therefore, i joyously offer the following opportunities to our community:
Doula Exploration: a survey of doula work
This one-afternoon class is a whirlwind overview that offers an opportunity to make connections from the beginning to end of the doula work year. Touching on theme and metaphor of fertility, conception, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Trimesters, illness &/or death and loss, grief, journeying, art and what constitutes support, we will lightly explore what it might be like to do a deep dive into perspectives on supporting others on their journey.
*Cancellation Policy: $40 refunded if you must cancel due to birth or illness provided you email me at placentaeg@gmail.com at least 1 hour before class starts. DOULA 201a: deep dive into doula work
12-month course This course will cover the doula work year in a series of once-monthly day-long classes. Each meeting is oriented towards giving doulas the opportunity to explore the physiological, emotional, social, spiritual, metaphoric, somatic and artistic possibilities for why and how we support our clients on their journey. This series is for doulas of any orientation along the continuum of birth, postpartum, and/or death. This year-long commitment unfolds in the form of monthly day-long, small and intimate classes with esther gallagher, a journeywoman doula, and invited speakers from many corners. There will be lecture, Q&A, spiritual exploration, art, mindfulness, student projects, body practice, self-care (including, but not limited to Self-Breema Exercises® with Soizig), and various other modalities employed to give us a broad orientation to our subject: supporting others on their journey. 1st Meeting Calling in our INTENTION, Mindfulness, History, Identity (Gender, Work, Spirit…), SEEDS: Fertility, Conception, Adoption, Loss, Illness/Diagnosis, Decline, Projects overview 2nd Meeting 1st Trimester: Self-Care and Nutrition, Art, Acceptance, Rejection, Conflict, Who is being born or dying?, Partners, Breasts/Nourishment/Comfort, Mapping 3rd Meeting Transition to 2nd Trimester: Sticking/Unsticking, Couvade, Announcement/Denial, Work, Feeling Better, Energy, Breasts/Nourishment/ Comfort, Journeying 4th Meeting 2nd Trimester: Projection, "Planning"- where, when, how, Peace and Chaos, Authentic Movement, Art, Presentations 5th Meeting Client Catch Up- what's the "story"? Remediation/Repair, Empathy or Compassion? Presentations 6th Meeting Transition to 3rd Trimester: Getting around to it, "Too Much", "Why didn't anybody tell me?", Advance Directive, Presentations 7th Meeting 3rd trimester: Nesting, Abandoning the nest-letting go, Disappearance, Art, Presentations 8th Meeting Client Catch Up- what's the "story"? Late Pregnancy/Adoption (the forms of adoption) - when things happen before we're "ready": last minute remediation/too late, Ritual (shower, blessingway, etc), Presentations 9th Meeting Labor & Birth: Witnessing, Whose birth/baby? Nervous System, Empathy and Compassion, Dying, One Nest to Another, Induction, Presentations 10th Meeting Immediate Postpartum: Bodies Together or Not, Setting and Situation, Emergency? Child-Welcoming/ Saying goodbye, Parent Transformation, Awe, Disruption, Chaos/Peace, Presentations 11th Meeting The 1st 2 weeks AFTER: Physiology of Post-birth Bodies, So Many Changes-So Little Time, Birth Weight, Bilirubin and Blood Sugar: What Does This Mean For Newborn Care & how do doulas make a difference? Doing Something/Doing Nothing, Grieving, Identity, Empathy and Compassion, Couvade, Wellbeing, Ritual, Presentations 12th Meeting Fourth Trimester: Growth Spurts, "Not Ready" to move on-When is "Ready"? Baby activities, Boredom, "Mental Health", Witnessing, Closing.
*Cancellation Policy: if you have to miss a class due to birth or illness, you may attend the next quarterly intensive at no further charge and I would like to offer you the opportunity for a private 1 hour session. DOULA 201b: doula work quarterly intensives
Each of these day-long intensives will be an overview of a trimester of the doula work year. There will be no speakers or student projects for these units. This version is for those with less time to commit but a desire to take a broad look into the subject of holding space for themselves and others on their journey. This version also offers the opportunity for 201a students to make up missed classes in case of birth or illness. Fertility, Conception, Adoption, Loss, & 1st Trimester* TBD Early Pregnancy* TBD Mid/Late Pregnancy & Labor/Birth* TBD Postpartum* TBD *With Reference to the Full Continuum of Doula Care, including Death Doula Work
*Cancellation Policy: full refund if cancelling 2 weeks in advance; $200 refunded if you must cancel due to birth or illness provided you email me at placentaeg@gmail.com at least 1 hour before class starts. mentoring and case-consultation services:
we can explore what being a doula feels like for you, look into where you'd like to go and imagine how to go there. you can confidentially review experiences, be witnessed and receive feedback.
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esther has had a 40+ year career supporting others during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, along with other transitions. Her degrees in Anthropology and Philosophy as well as apprenticeship and practice in Homebirth Midwifery, training, education and experience as a Childbirth Educator and Postpartum Doula all combine with her life experience as a daughter, mother, grandmother, friend and mentor. she very much enjoys and feels privileged to be working with a broad diversity of family styles.
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midwifery background
42 years' experience, training, & education
co-producer of The Fourth Trimester Podcast
42 years' experience, training, & education
co-producer of The Fourth Trimester Podcast
email: placentaeg@gmail.com
