Doula Support and Training

As part of our core educational mandate, WW works with community partners to host doula training for systemically excluded people including Black, Indigenous and queer people. Doulas are non-clinical support people for the perinatal period including prenatal education, labour and delivery, and newborn care and feeding. The research evidence demonstrates the presence of a doula improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. However, there are very few doulas in certain communities such as Black, Indigenous and queer communities. We have worked in partnership with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton, the Mi'kmaq Legal Support Network (MLSN) of Eskasoni First Nation, the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre, Paqtnkek First Nation, Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group, Tegan and Sara Foundation, the Community of Black Nurses Students and Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians to host doula trainings with these communities in the past few years. 

The 3-4 day training is provided free of cost to participants. Over 100 people have participated in our various partner trainings so far. Demand for this training exceeds our capacity to provide it, and participant evaluations indicate strong satisfaction with the training quality, content, and actionability. Some feedback included: it was “a great learning module to support moms” and “absolutely amazing learning opportunity”. CBC News has covered these trainings because they are innovative and fill an important gap.

Contact Amanda Carvery doula@chebuctofamilycentre.ca for more info about joining a training.