Heart & Hands-on
2-Day Doula Workshop

September 26 & 27, 2026
9am - 6pm, SAN DIEGO, CA.
Preceptors: Rosie Peterson & Jana Johnston

This is our complete 2-day live hands-on workshop for birth helpers and aspiring doulas to learn the basics of how to comfort a mom in labor!

This course equips you to educate, comfort, and truly show up in labor and is usually only offered online, this is your chance to experience it in person!

 

Day One we will cover:
•⁠ ⁠The Doula Foundation
•⁠ ⁠⁠Before Baby Comes
•⁠ ⁠⁠Know Normal Birth
•⁠ ⁠⁠Heart & Hands-on Techniques For Comforting Mom

 

Day Two we will cover:
•⁠ ⁠The Spirituality of Birth
•⁠ ⁠⁠Hospital & Difficult Birth
•⁠ ⁠⁠Caring for Mama After Birth
•⁠ ⁠⁠The Business Side of Things


*FREE Doula Quick Guide Booklet included*

(LIMIT 15 Students)

If you have any questions, you can send us an email at
info@gemmidwife.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites to take this workshop?

None, just your interest in learning how to support moms and dads through birth with comfort, knowledge, and spiritual presence.

Are there any age requirements to take this workshop?

No. But we encourage younger students, (12-14 years old) to take the workshop alongside their parents.

Can I bring my breastfeeding baby with me to the workshop?

We fully support breastfeeding and understand the challenges! In our previous experiences, we found that it can be distracting for the mom and others. It would affect your ability to learn and participate in the hands-on sessions, so our best recommendation is not to bring your baby.

At the end of the workshop am I a certified doula?

No. When you finish the 4-hour Heart & Hands-on Doula Workshop you will receive a certificate of completion, which is one of the requirements in the process of the GEM Doula Certification.

What about refunds?

If you already paid for the workshop and for some reason, you cannot attend, you should let us know at least 24 hours before the workshop and we will refund you.

If I'm pumping, can I pump while attending the workshop?

Yes, you will be able to pump wherever and whenever you feel comfortable. There are short breaks every couple of hours during the workshop that you can use as needed or feel free to pump during the sessions!

Are there any lunch/meals included with the workshop fee?

No, you can bring your water bottle and/or snack as needed. There will be a 10-minute break halfway through the class.

How do I become a GEM Certified Doula?

We created our process to be affordable and achievable, we want to make many doulas without extensive financial or academic barriers, but just enough to encourage and promote greater knowledge and understanding of how to support families as a doula through childbearing! 

 

For GEM Doula Certification, we require the completion of 6 things:

 

1. Complete GEM's Birth Helper or Simple Doula Course online (or ANY Doula training course from another organization)

2. Complete the 4-hour Heart & Hands-on Doula Workshop (live in-person!)

3. Complete GEM's 7-Week Intro to Midwifery Course (Deeper dive info for doulas or prospective midwives on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and newborn)

4. Read these 3 books: Ina May Guide to Childbirth, Natural Birth the Bradley Way, & Pregnancy, Childbirth, & the Newborn

5. Complete 2 births as a doula (ideally one out-of-hospital & one in-hospital)

6. Complete local resources page 

info@gemmidwife.com

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