Bridges and Boundaries Birth Professional Programs

Your Inclusive Training Resource for Perinatal Professionals

International mentorship led by three established birth workers from two different countries with four decades of shared experience will share with you the most recent evidence and techniques in the field. Our training program is designed to set our applicants up for success in completing their certification process and beyond.  We are more interested in the quality of the training than the number of doulas we certify.  We are dedicated to increasing gender and racial equity and offer discounts for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ community members.  There are plenty of programs out there that will attempt to transfer great quantities of information quickly to learners, give them some additional resources and consider them certified. We do something different.  We believe in "slow-paced learning" in order to help learners retain new information and skills over the long term. Over the weeks of learning together and being mentored, Center Song's Bridges and Boundaries programs are intended to build sustainability and community and uplift the doulas we train, growing their strength and allowing them to uplift and support their clients.

Bridges and Boundaries Doula & Childbirth Education Training Program*: 30 Instructional Hours

1. Pregnancy and Childbirth -- 7.5 hours 

Understanding the birthing process, anatomy and physiology, mental and physical

changes in the body throughout the stage.

2. Postpartum, Recovery and Newborn Periods -- 7.5 hours

Understanding the importance of postpartum care, assisting, and educating in

breastfeeding, and proving emotional support for newborn bonding.

3. Promotes Health Equity --3 hours

Recognizing and accepting diversity in birthing practices, affirming historically

marginalized groups, and understanding how systemic barriers can hinder the birthing

person from receiving quality care.

4. Expected and Unexpected Pregnancy Outcomes -- 4 hours

Supporting clients through miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, and

infant loss, as well as providing clients with community resources to address and support related concerns.

5. Racial Equity -- 3 hours

Understanding and recognizing the role that systemic racism plays in the field of

medicine, as well as engaging in antiracist doula care rooted in dignity and respect.

6. Advocacy -- 3.5 hours

Encouraging individuals and birthing families to access appropriate community resources

to meet specific needs and understand the importance of and the protocol around being a

mandated reporter.

7. Professional Standards --  1.5 hours

Developing trust and connection with the birthing person and their family, understand

and engage in open dialogue with clients, and maintain a professional code of ethics.

*This Cohort allows for Doula/Childbirth Educator certification pathways. We have applied to be an officially recognized doula certification program with the state of Connecticut. Successful completion of additional readings, assessments, mentorship, and other requirements along with CPR/First Aid certification are required to attain certification status. We believe in seeing people complete the programs they sign up for. As such, our program offers additional support and tutoring, where appropriate.

Limited Sliding Scale Options are available. By application only, space is extremely limited.

Application fee can be paid here or by using the shopping cart, below.

Application form is found here.

If you're not sure if this program is for you, schedule free a consultation with Maura Jo here.

Please email mj@CenterSong.com with an explanation if you need a discount on this fee.

Additional past and upcoming continuing education training offerings include: Loss and Fertility Awareness, Cultural Humility and Birth Justice, Hypnosis for Birth Professionals, Creating a Sustainable Business Model, LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, Business Basics, Pelvic Floor Health, Evidence Based Birth(R) Savvy Birth Pro, Evidence Based Birth(R) Comfort Measures, Understanding Full Spectrum Work.

INQUIRE HERE

A super-fun program designed for YOU. 2 synchronous 2.5 hour classes, 4 synchronous Zoom calls + online content over 6 weeks.

About this Event

Looking for a childbirth class with the flexibility of learning online, AND personalized support and encouragement from a skilled instructor?

Get empowered with a Childbirth Class you and your partner will LOVE!

Start learning evidence-based info today—register now!

Want to take this program but this schedule doesn't work for you? Email mj@CenterSong.com and we'll set you up with a private class that DOES work for your schedule/estimated due date.

Listen to what some of the first students of the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class have had to say:

“This class is a total game changer for us. I’d heard negative stories…I was scared and very on edge. Then once we started taking the class, and when we learned about interventions that I was apprehensive about… It brought us together in that [my partner] understood birth more, and I understood it more. And as soon as I went into labor, we were on. We were a team.”

“I really appreciated how informative it was. I knew a lot about the biology of birth and babies, but what we learned was just very impressive. It was a really good experience—fairly chill, fairly laid-back, and not nearly as stressful and awkward as I thought it might be. All the information—I never would’ve thought there was that much information out there!”

"Great instructor! Definitely recommend."

“Very informative.”

When you take the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class, you will:

• Get mentored by your own Evidence Based Birth® Instructor!

• Learn about evidence-based care, comfort measures, and advocacy

• Get prepared, get answers, get empowered!

Your Childbirth Class includes:

• Mentorship from Maura Jo Lynch experienced EBB Instructor

• Two synchronous (2.5 hour) classes to practice your labor skills

• Five weeks' worth of online videos for you and your partner to watch together over a three week period

• Three synchronous Zoom calls

• BONUS: Breastfeeding and newborn care videos

• BONUS: Four video chats with your Instructor and classmates!

• BONUS: Earn points throughout the class to redeem for prizes at the end!

Ready to Get Empowered? Register for Your Class Now!

Spots in each class are limited (6 couples per class), do not wait to schedule.

A Message from Maura Jo, Connecticut-based EBB Instructor

I started teaching childbirth education in 2007 and have taught a number of programs both independently and in the hospital setting at three different hospitals and there is NOTHING else like the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class on the market. Add to it with the Hypnosis, Mindset and Mindfulness Module and you have the best possible preparation I have seen in all my years in this field. This program teaches Comfort (so birthing can feel better), Advocacy (SO important right now and a great skill for parenting too), and Evidence (so you know how to get optimal care for yourself, whatever the circumstances), with synchronous Mentorship every week of the program! Plus, you get to do the weekly assignments at your own pace AND earn points to redeem for fun little prizes at the end of our last class meeting. My goal is to mentor folks through the journey to empower and prepare*themselves* for birth and parenthood (and make it fun). I look forward to guiding you through practicing comfort measures and relaxation skills, getting evidence-based care, and learning advocacy skills that you need to prepare for parenthood.

These are the topics we’ll cover that will help you and your birth partner prepare for birth!

How your Partner can be your Advocate

Evidence Based Care

Overcoming Fears and Anxieties

Comfort Measures

Stages of Labor

Navigating the Healthcare System

Providers (Models of Care)

Support

Doulas

Communicating with Hospital Staff

Know your Rights

Interventions

Pain Coping Tools (Pain Relief)

Labor Rehearsal

Postpartum Discussion

Newborn Procedures

Baby Care & Breastfeeding Overview

Will I Learn how to have a Natural (Physiologic) Birth?

Evidence Based Birth® believes that every person has their own unique path. Instead of focusing on medicated vs. unmedicated birth, we focus on giving you tools and helping you learn the evidence and how to navigate your care, so that you can make your own informed decisions! This program provides a strong emphasis on non-drug (physiologic) techniques for the birthing room, because they have no side effects and can be used by everyone, with or without medications.

At the end of this class, you will have all the tools you need to create your optimal labor and birth experience. If you want a physiologic birth, this class will give you basic mindset skills (relaxation) and physical techniques you need. If you're looking for more, select the ticket with the Hypnosis, Mindset and Mindfulness Module included for additional mindset skills to keep comfortable, calm and confident during your birthing time!

We’ll cover how you can be prepared for any curveballs that might come your way on your big day, too!

Class Format: Online and Zoom Call

In the interest of everyone's health and well-being, at this time, all classes will be held online via Zoom call.

Week 1: Our first class jumps right in with orientation information, getting set you up for your online weekly learning and we cover some really key information about the process of birth!

Weeks 2 - 4: Zoom calls will be 1.5 hours each and will be a discussion of the week's videos and exercises. Remember, for every program video you watch, and for each practice session you do on your own, you’ll earn points towards fun prizes! You’ll have access to the Instructor during weekly Zoom sessions (video chat).

Week 5: Complete your video sessions and take the additional Hypnosis, Mindset and Mindfulness module if you've selected that add-on. Use this week to earn all your extra points before our last session!

Week 6: Our final class puts all the skills together and you get to select your prizes based on the points you've earned. Keep in touch when the baby arrives and we can set up a reunion call!!

Register today and let's get started!

What are the registration options?

Both standard and deluxe tickets include all classes, weekly Zoom video chats with your Instructor, access to your lessons online at the Evidence Based Birth® Academy, a PDF library, and 3 months of access to the online resources.

Deluxe tickets also include the Hypnosis, Mindsest and Mindfulness module for additional brain training skills, additional 3 months access to the online resources and a complimentary one-hour consultation with your Instructor to discuss your goals.

One ticket is good for both the pregnant parent and their chosen support person. Your doula is also invited to attend our final session if you have already hired doula (the doulas who are members of Center Song's network are especially welcomed and if you need to book a call to discuss these doula options, just reach out:) )!

If you are a birth professional (doula, childbirth educator, physician, etc) who wants to audit this Childbirth Class: Great! Limited seats may be available for audit, fee applies. Email mj@CenterSong.com to inquire.

Standard Ticket: $500.00

Deluxe Ticket: $ 600.00

Early bird discount and scholarships may be available.

Need a payment plan or looking for Virtual Doula Support? Please contact Maura Jo directly (mj@CenterSong.com), for arrangements, if available. This course is included in Maura Jo's doula packages at no additional cost and virtual doula sponsorships may be available. Discounts for Virtual Doula Support packages available to BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and Homebirth Families, email for details!

Inclusion Policy:

Evidence Based Birth® is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for pregnant persons of any age, religion, race, sexual identity, gender identity, or relationship status.

Refund Policy:

Your payment reserves a spot in the class and is non-refundable, but tickets are transferable to another family with one week's notice and approval from Maura Jo. If you find yourself ill the day of a live class, observe what you can via Zoom and be sure your partner is prepared to take notes so you can review the information.

*Your instructor is an active doula, and if a client needs her virtual support during our scheduled class time, she will reach out to you as soon as possible to reschedule.

Questions:

If you have questions, just email me at mj@CenterSong.com. I'd be happy to discuss things further!

Be sure to enroll in this program by 24 weeks! Early birds are welcome and are given a complimentary review session.

A fun way to learn and practice Hypnosis, Mindset and Mindfulness skills for birth! Instruction is in a “flipped classroom” model where you learn some material on your own and then put it into practice during synchronous sessions with your Mentor/Educator! All classes are virtual at this time.

Tune DOWN your Adrenaline Response and turn UP your Relaxation!

Learn how to effectively use hypnosis and powerful, evidence-based mindset techniques for your childbirth, including the skills from all the major hybnobirthing programs AND so much more, such as affirmations, mindfulness, neuroscience principles, hands-on support techniques AND optional partner-supported hypnosis to benefit you in the birth room and beyond.

This Workshop combines the benefit of synchronous, mentored learning with the comfort of self-paced online learning between synchronous Zoom calls. Once you buy your ticket, you'll be emailed instructions to set up your private one to one Zoom call prior to our class. This is a private, fifteen to thirty minute consultation to help you customize the program to your needs.

Your Online learning begins after the one to one call with an online orientation which includes a few short videos to watch and a couple of optional articles to read. You'll find out what materials you need to have on hand and what to prepare for as well as a good deal of the theoretical material. This content will be delivered to you by the Friday before your class for you to watch on your own schedule prior to the first Skills Session.

Week One — One-to-One Consultation, Online Learning and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Two — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Three — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Four — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session, Q/A and Graduation!

Maura Jo, your Instructor/Mentor, Hypnosis Practitioner, Certified Hypnobirthing Educator and Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula will walk you through the cues, techniques, tools and skills for your best possible birth!

Designed for both the Pregnant Person and primary Birth Partner in your family, you will both have a great time as you learn evidence-based mindset skills and a few key hands on techniques as you prepare for your positive birth.

This program is for those who are committed to preparing for their lovely birth using hypnosis, mindset and mindfulness skills as well as learning the content from both the synchronous and online portions of the program. As a focused course, this offering does NOT include in-depth information on labor stages and phases. For that information, add the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class for what many consider the most comprehensive preparation available when added to a hypnobirthing program like this or the [M]Otherboard Birth Basics Class for a quick overview.

Both the birthing person and their support partner are going to get a lot out of this program!

Space is limited, so register today!

There are no refunds offered for this workshop.

March 10, 17, 24 & 31, 6-8 PM (EST)

May 12, 19, 26, & April 2, 5:30 PM (EST)

Comprehensive, four week (eight hours) program including Savvy Birth 101, Hypnobirthing and Mindset Training for VBACs, Partner Education (Support Techniques), Advocacy, The Birthing Process, and more.

January 18, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

March 3, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

June 5, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

August 27, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

October 1, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

November 1, 6:00-8:00PM (EST)

Two Week Program with two one-to-one Mentorship Calls before and after the program, online homework to complete before each live, virtual class.

Learn all about the process of labor and birth, getting evidence-based care, hypnobirthing, and mindset skills as well as hands-on techniques for partners to help support you! Includes a special session to customize birth AND postpartum planning.

Four programs in one and completely personalized for you and your family!

Be sure to enroll in this program by 24 weeks! Early birds are welcome and are given a complimentary review session.

A fun way to learn and practice Hypnosis, Mindset and Mindfulness skills for birth! Instruction is in a “flipped classroom” model where you learn some material on your own and then put it into practice during synchronous sessions with your Mentor/Educator! All classes are virtual at this time.

Tune DOWN your Adrenaline Response and turn UP your Relaxation!

Learn how to effectively use hypnosis and powerful, evidence-based mindset techniques for your childbirth, including the skills from all the major hybnobirthing programs AND so much more, such as affirmations, mindfulness, neuroscience principles, hands-on support techniques AND optional partner-supported hypnosis to benefit you in the birth room and beyond.

This Workshop combines the benefit of synchronous, mentored learning with the comfort of self-paced online learning between synchronous Zoom calls. Once you buy your ticket, you'll be emailed instructions to set up your private one to one Zoom call prior to our class. This is a private, fifteen to thirty minute consultation to help you customize the program to your needs.

Your Online learning begins after the one to one call with an online orientation which includes a few short videos to watch and a couple of optional articles to read. You'll find out what materials you need to have on hand and what to prepare for as well as a good deal of the theoretical material. This content will be delivered to you by the Friday before your class for you to watch on your own schedule prior to the first Skills Session.

Week One — One-to-One Consultation, Online Learning and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Two — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Three — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session

Week Four — Online Learning, Mentorship and Synchronous Skills Session, Q/A and Graduation!

Maura Jo, your Instructor/Mentor, Hypnosis Practitioner, Certified Hypnobirthing Educator and Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula will walk you through the cues, techniques, tools and skills for your best possible birth!

Designed for both the Pregnant Person and primary Birth Partner in your family, you will both have a great time as you learn evidence-based mindset skills and a few key hands on techniques as you prepare for your positive birth.

This program is for those who are committed to preparing for their lovely birth using hypnosis, mindset and mindfulness skills as well as learning the content from both the synchronous and online portions of the program. As a focused course, this offering does NOT include in-depth information on labor stages and phases. For that information, add the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class for what many consider the most comprehensive preparation available when added to a hypnobirthing program like this or the [M]Otherboard Birth Basics Class for a quick overview.

Both the birthing person and their support partner are going to get a lot out of this program!

Space is limited, so register today!

There are no refunds offered for this workshop.

2023 Dates

January 27, 6-8 PM

February 2, 6-8 PM

March 9, 6-8 PM

May 26, 6-8 PM

June 1, 6-8 PM

September 8, 6-8 PM

November 3, 6-8 PM

This two hour program is an opportunity to start learning about and planning for caring for yourself/your partner postpartum as well as your newborn!

Partners Welcome! Virtual class!

This two hour program is a great starting point to learn about and plan for the care of both the birthing parent and newborn. Learn about some resources you may want to connect to and finish with a list you can use to start getting organized!

Topics Covered:

Baby Care Basics Including Bathing, Dressing and Diapering Baby

Overview of Feeding Options for Baby and Early Feeding Cues

Physical Health Awareness for the Postpartum Parent

Wellness Awareness for Parents Including Building a Support Structure Now

Safer Sleep Awareness and Planning

There are no refunds offered for this workshop.

Questions? Contact mj@CenterSong.com

We look forward to "seeing" you!

This class is great for partners to take and share what they learn with the birthing person. Birthing people are welcome too! Learn and practice the skills you need to be well prepared to support your birthing person! This class covers hands on physical comfort strategies, mindset skills, relaxation techniques, acupressure and more. We’ll review some of the evidence around which techniques work the best and how to practice and implement them. Take this class by 36 weeks gestation, alone or with a full childbirth program. This program is offered as part of all Center Song Birth Doula packages.

Space is limited, so register today!

There are no refunds offered for this workshop.