Are you a birth worker who is looking to expand your skill set, explore a new topic, or get new perspective? The Birth Mag team has compiled a list of upcoming classes, workshops, skillshares, and mentorship opportunities for kicking the new year off right. All courses listed are either live or have a live component, and are available virtually.
Financial Freedom for the Independent Midwife – January 17th, 2021 (2PM EST)
Presented by Tiny & Brave Holistic Services, and taught by midwife Monika Rosicka. This class is intended to educate midwives (and future midwives) about protecting their personal and business assets. While you may not have gotten into midwifery for the money, financial struggles are all too common. Enter into 2021 with some foundational information relating to financial solutions. Free to BIPOC midwives and midwifery students, $25 for allies. Sign up here.
From Body to Community Planning – January 22-29th, 2021
Presented by the Queer Doula Network, this is a series of classes taught by a variety of instructors that discuss familiar topics in birth work from a perspective that centers the LGBTQIA+ experience. Topics will include birth plans, adoption, menstrual cycles, community care, postpartum care, and endometriosis. Tickets are available on a sliding scale of $120-210. Sign up here.
Transmasculine Fertility & Birth Workshop – January 23rd, 2021 (2-4PM EST)
This workshop is facilitated by Kayden Coleman, a Black transgender man who will be sharing his experiences with pregnancy. It was created to help build space for transmasculine birthing people to be able to access safe, inclusive care through better educated birthworkers. Kayden has stated that this will be the last time he offers this specific workshop, so if you want to take it, get those tickets now! $75 for early bird tickets, $150 full price. Sign up here.
Birthwork Mentorship Circle – January 31st, 2021 (1-2:30PM PST)
This is a live gathering hosted by Birth Bruja, and facilitated by doula Keelia Alder and full-spectrum birth worker Brooke Patmor. This is an opportunity to share space with and questions of other birthworkers who are “cultivating sustainable, intersectional & liberational approaches to birthwork.” This is the first session of the year, but will be recurring on every last Sunday of the month throughout 2021. $20 to attend helps support the creation and continuation of this event, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Sign up here.
Birth and Disability – February 2-25th, 2021
Hosted by Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, and presented by Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, of Project LETS. This course will include a series of 8 live virtual classes, plus 4 additional pre-recorded modules, and weekly assignments for reflection. The topic list is expansive, covering basics of what disability really looks like, what ableism is, developing a better understanding of concerns disabled parents may have, full spectrum reproductive care for those with disabilities, practical skills for supporting and providing care to disabled people, and navigating situations when someone is expecting or parenting a disabled child, and more. $129. Sign up here.
Systemic Racism/Implicit Bias in Care Work – February 6th, 2021 (1-5PM CST)
Hosted by Re+Birth Equity Alliance, this interactive training addresses both systemic racism and bias in perinatal healthcare from the perspective that eliminating racial disparities in care requires collective effort. The workshop will discuss topics including implicit bias in birth work, course correction for bias, tools for social change, the history of medical experimentation, Jim Crow, and Black Codes, and the impacts of weathering, trauma, and disadvantage. This training sold out repeatedly last year, so reserve your spot ASAP if you want to attend this one! Donation based, with a $50 suggested donation. Sign up here.
Seahorses & Unicorns: Supporting Trans and Gender Nonconforming Birthers – February 7th, 2021 (3-6PM PST)
This course is hosted by Cornerstone Doula Trainings and led by professional trans educator and gestational parent, Trystan Reese. This session will include interactive discussion of topics including trans fertility, supporting trans people who haven’t or don’t plan to medically transition, the effects of medical transition related to reproduction, and postpartum considerations. $197. Sign up here.
MX Birth Technologies & Rebozo History + Uses – February 20-March 13th, 2021
Taught by Lucia Echeri, this online class series offers training that “will sensitize us all to use ancestral and traditional therapies with respect, honor and free of cultural appropriation.” The class is divided up across four sessions. It covers a number of topics, including extensive information about the rebozo that includes its history, creation, use, energy, symbolism, and issues with appropriation. The course content is not limited to the rebozo, and also covers birth positions, hot and cold, bindings, herbs, baths, breath work, context, and stories in a way that centers the wisdom of Indigenous peoples. The workshop offers a sliding scale fee of $300-500, with early bird discounts and payment plans available. Sign up here.
Abortion Support Skills Training – March 13th, 2021 (3-6PM EST)
Hosted by the Alabama Cohosh Collaborative, this training is intended for anyone (birthworker or otherwise) to develop some abortion support skills. Attendees will learn about multiple aspects of abortion support, including both the physical and emotional needs of people having one. The training also intends to create a deeper understanding of what abortion really is. Sliding scale tickets range from $85-125. Sign up here.
Hands On Suturing – April 9th, 2021
This virtual workshop is HiveCE’s creative way to continue offering skill specific trainings with a hands on component in the age of Covid-19. It’s taught by midwife Holly Scholles. The course is set up as a set of pre-recorded modules, followed by a live virtual group session, then finally a one-on-one video call with the instructor for review. It covers suture materials, equipment, wound assessment, medication use, and repair in considerable detail. It is approved for continuing education credits by MEAC, and can be used to meet a hands on training requirement for the NARM Bridge Certificate. It is the only virtual training that can be used to meet that requirement at this time, and perhaps for that reason sessions filled up far in advance last year. This is another training you will likely want to book as soon as you can if you’re wanting to attend it. $325. Sign up here.
