Workshops

Partners in Healing

A Labor of Love offers DONA approved CEU courses to help you, as a doula, midwife or other childbirth professional, gain an understanding of clients in special circumstances. The Partners in Healing courses focus on a variety of topics that you may find yourself in as a childbirth professional. Topics include:

	Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse
	Post-partum mood disorders
	Grief and loss (coming soon)

To register, please fill out a registration form.

Program Descriptions

Supporting survivors of sexual abuse

It is estimated that 1 in 5 women have been sexually abused. As a doula, you are likely to have a client with a history of sexual abuse. These clients require a special level of understanding and sensitivity to their situation as well as specialized skills to best support them during childbirth and the post-partum period.

In this workshop you will learn:

	The effects of sexual abuse on pregnancy and childbirth.
	The effects of sexual abuse on breastfeeding and bonding.
	How to sensitively interview a survivor.
	How to make a birth plan that takes into consideration a survivor’s needs.
	How to identify triggers that may be problematic and what to do about them.
	How to help a survivor during the post-partum period.
	Crisis management.
	How to employ self-care techniques to prevent compassion fatigue.

Upon completion of the workshop, you will be able to understand the types of sexual abuse that can affect women and their impact on the childbearing experience. You will also learn specific techniques to better support women who are survivors of abuse during childbirth and post-partum period.

Postpartum Mood Disorders

It is estimated that 20% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression (PPD). As a doula, you are in the unique position of possibly being one of the first people to witness a mother’s early struggles with postpartum mood disorder. These clients require a unique level of understanding and sensitivity to their situation, as well as specialized skills to best support them during their difficult time.

In this workshop you will learn:

	The difference between the “baby blues” and true PPD.
	The full spectrum of mood disorders that can affect a postpartum woman, including postpartum psychosis.
	How to identify prenatally which clients may be at greater risk for PPD.
	How to effectively screen your clients for postpartum depression.
	How to support a client with postpartum depression.
	Treatment options available to women with a postpartum mood disorder.
	How to identify and manage an emergency situation.

Upon completion of the workshop, you will be able to understand the types postpartum mood disorders that can affect women as well as the treatment options

available. Special consideration will be focused on the effects of medication and breastfeeding. You will also learn specific techniques to better support women

and their families who are suffering from post partum mood disorders.

Upcoming Workshops

October 2006

Title: Supporting survivors of sexual abuse during pregnancy, birth, and post-partum

Date: Saturday, October 7^th 2006

Time: 9am-5pm

Location: Chevy Chase , MD

Fee: $150

CEU: Approved for 7 DONA CEUs

*Space is limited to 15 participants, so please register early*

November 2006

Title: Postpartum mood disorders: How a doula can identify, educate, and support and woman with a postpartum mood disorder.

Date: Saturday, November 4^th 2006

Time: 9am-3pm

Location: Chevy Chase , MD

Fee: $100

CEU: Applied for 5DONA CEUs

*Space is limited to 15 participants, so please register early.*

***REGISTRATION***

To register for a workshop, please fill out the registration form and send, with payment, to the address indicated.

(202) 486-9545

ALaborofLoveDC@aol.com