Freedom Birth Mentorship Program
The Freedom Birth Mentorship is a 12 week program designed to help new and aspiring doulas become more confident in their ability to support families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. We offer a wide variety of wisdom, skills, and information that will enrich your career as a birth worker.
Ready to join? Fill out this form to register: DMP Registration Form
What you can expect with our Mentorship Program:
12 Weekly Lessons via Zoom.
This will help with discovering your niche and building your business. I will be sharing everything I’ve learned in the last 8 years including the good, the bad, and even the ugly! Let’s reveal your potential, create a website, and decide if certification is in your plan. You will also receive a 25% discount on select certifications! Some homework will be issued after most sessions.
One-on-One Sessions
1-on-1 meetings to focus on any certain topic(s),help building your website, or reviewing any material you may need assistance with. If there are certain areas of expertise you would like to be further trained in, I can help with that as well as refer you to outside resources.
Build your Business
Within our meetings I will share advice and answer questions on how to build and manage your doula business. We will discuss strategies to overcome common business challenges, how to balance work and family life, as well as share tips, teach new skills and services to offer your clients. I will show you how to build a website on your very own at the lowest cost possible!
Gain Experience and Confidence
I may offer opportunities IRL to attend community and promotional events. You may have the opportunity to shadow me during prenatal and postpartum appointments and during clients labor and birth so long as the client agrees. During your Mentorship we cannot guarantee a certain number of clients or births you may attend, but you may request to extend your mentorship or rejoin at a later time. Practicing public interactions and spontaneous conversations will drastically improve your confidence and will allow your audience to get to know the best, most authentic “you”.
Assist with Client Support
Take on your own clients with confidence! During our 12 weeks, I will be on-call for you to assist you with any challenges you may face supporting your own clients. This will also give you a first-hand look into what virtual doula support looks like.
Assigned Clients
If my birth availability is limited and inquiries are abundant, I may have the opportunity to assign a client to you as their primary doula under Freedom Birth & Wellness. You will have the option to hold your prenatal appointments with our assistance. We will provide on-call Phone and Text support during your clients labor and birth and you are encouraged to use it as much and as often as needed. When you accept an assigned client, you agree to forfeit 25% of the service fee to us.
Back-ups
Unforeseen events and emergencies happen, which is why having solid back-up is extremely important. When you’re enrolled in the Doula Mentorship Program, you will have access to a collective of possible back-up doulas within our cohort. I myself may also be available.
Lending Library
I encourage you to expand your knowledge and use my library of educational materials. You may borrow one book at a time, for a period no longer than 4 weeks. The previous material must be returned in the same condition. I understand accidents happen. If my material is damaged beyond use, I ask that you replace it. Whether it be a new or used copy, so long as it is in the same or better condition as the original.
Letters of Recommendation
Some certifying institutions require written testimony of participation for completion. I’d be more than happy to share my experience with you in writing, as well as forward any client testimonials for your social media and website presence after your Freedom Birth Mentorship has been completed.
Core Beliefs, Code of Conduct, Terms of Service
Our core beliefs are that all women deserve:
- Autonomy – A woman is to make her own choices regarding herself, her baby, and the care she receives. It’s simple: “Her body. Her baby. Her birth.”
- Respect – We are hired to become a part of a family’s intimate moments. We treat our clients with respect and treat them like we would expect to be treated.
- Factual Information – We educate our clients with true information. Whether it be evidence-based or previous personal experiences, the words we speak shall remain true and honest.
- Alternative Options – Freedom Birth is experienced and knowledgeable in alternative options surrounding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. If a client is not comfortable with a suggestion or recommendation made either by us or a Provider, we can lead them in the right direction to research alternative options and make an informed decision for themselves.
- Support – We provide support in many ways. Emotional, Physical, Informational
Moral & Ethical Confidence
- Freedom Birth & Wellness does not support Infant Genital Mutilation (also known as circumcision). I screen each and every prospective birth client before contract signing to ensure I am not supporting anything I feel so strongly against. In my intake form prior to signing contacts, clients are asked if they plan to circumcise. If their answer is anything other than No I ask if they would be willing to further discuss their reasons why, and educate them to the best of my ability. Typically due to the facts, they will change their minds and keep their baby intact. If they are adamant about circumcision (whether for personal or religious beliefs), I respectfully refer them to other doulas in their area.
- Mistakes, malpractice, and abuse by Providers and other Medical Personnel can and does happen. We at Freedom Birth & Wellness do whatever we can to protect our clients autonomy and rights and will speak up while maintaining a firm yet respectful composure. We do not tolerate abusive or unwanted actions or speech by anyone to our clients and their families. We cautiously pay attention and recognize any misconduct, coercion, or non-evidence based practices and inform our client if such occurs. These situations are often discussed in trainings and prenatal appointments.
- Freedom Birth & Wellness supports families with a Holistic approach. While we respect modern innovation and interventions, we feel that in most cases, these shall be used only when medically necessary and when the benefits truly outweigh the risks, and that those receiving them are fully informed of their decision. A holistic approach means focusing on enriching and improving the body and mind with supplements, natural techniques, and herbal remedies, to promote self healing and maintaining optimal health. We believe in the process of unhindered physiologic childbirth and that women instinctively and intuitively know how to achieve it safely.
Code of Conduct
- Always be yourself. You’re here for a reason. Let’s make your best and truest you shine.
- Remember the goal. Our goal is to improve the lives of others for generations to come. We aim to prevent birth trauma, negative outcomes, and strive to make each birth an empowering experience.
- Assume the best intentions among associates and other birth workers. Birth workers are selfless. We need to work together as a community for this type of work to make a positive impact.
Cost of the Program: $349
How to pay:
Please send your payment via Venmo to @jillbabydoula (Jill Burke, 3931)
Zelle: jillbirthbaby@gmail.com
Paypal: freedombirthnj@gmail.com
please send via friends & family/without purchase protection.
If you would like to mail a check, please reach out for my address. Thank you!
After September 2023:
If you are interested in becoming a birth worker and would like to be considered for our next Doula Mentorship Program, please fill out a Contact Form and we will respond as soon as possible.
Ready to join? Fill out this form to register: DMP Registration Form