Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards becoming a Certified DONA Birth Doula?

Debra Pascali-Bonaro is one of the most experienced doula trainers in the world.

Join us for a DONA Approved Birth Doula Hybrid Retreat, which includes two virtual days on May 2nd and 3rd, 2024, as well as three in-person days May 7-9, 2024 which includes two nights accommodation and meals at a beautiful retreat center in Ocean Grove, NJ - just one block from the beach.

May is the perfect time of year at the NJ shore, (weather permitting) we will be having a session on the beach with time for yoga and relaxing.

Mini-retreat

This unique and comprehensive retreat provides the perfect blend of virtual and in-person learning, with opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and immerse yourself in a supportive and nurturing environment. Start your days with energizing morning yoga, take relaxing beach walks, book an evening massage, and unwind with other doulas, or venture out to trendy Asbury Park, NJ for music and dancing.

By attending this retreat, you'll gain valuable knowledge and skills to become a confident and compassionate birth doula, with the added bonus of nurturing yourself in the process. 

So why wait? 

Take the first step towards this transformative journey and register for the Orgasmic Birth DONA Birth Doula Hybrid Retreat today.

Secure your spot today!

Pricing options

Discover the transformative power of our workshop!

Hear directly from our inspiring doulas

May 2024 DONA Birth Doula Training

All times are in ET (New York) time zone

VIRTUAL 

  • April 30, 4:00 - 6:00 PM ET | Welcome Session and Anti-racism + Birth Equity
  • May 2, 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET | VIRTUAL Introduction to Childbirth Part I
  • May 3, 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET | Introduction to Childbirth Part II & DONA Birth Doula Part I

IN PERSON RETREAT - Ocean Grove, NJ 

  • May 7, 2024, 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET | Arrival + Check-in 
  • May 7, 2024, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM ET | DONA Birth Doula Part I 
  • May 8, 2024, 8:30 - 9:30 AM ET | OPTIONAL Beach Yoga
  • May 8, 2024, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM ET | DONA Birth Doula Part III 
  • May 9, 2024, 9:00 - 11:00 AM ET | DONA Birth Doula Part IV & How to Support Pleasure and Love in Childbirth
  • May 9, 2024, 11:30 AM ET | Check-out

BONUS (VIRTUAL)

May 30, 4:00-5:30 PM ET | DONA Certification and Birth Biz Q & A |


Are you fascinated with birth and supporting MotherBabies and Families?

Would you like to learn skills to support a partner, friend, family or your community?

Do you feel called to study, learn and experience the nourishing sisterhood that becoming a doula will provide?

Are you a nurse or educator that would like to enhance your skills?

Are you ready to use your special gifts, compassion and desire to make a difference in a career that will fulfill you, your soul, and help to change the world?

If you said yes to any of the above, Debra Pascali-Bonaro’s Orgasmic DONA Approved Birth Doula Training will provide you with sessions covering the Introduction to Childbirth and DONA Birth Doula Workshop, two of the requirements to begin your DONA Birth Doula Certification and support you in beginning your doula practice.

The sessions will also include special guest speakers and provide the space and time for more engagement, learning and community .

You will receive an extra bonus session on doula business, a Q & A and extra support in preparing for DONA certification, you’ll feel prepared and empowered to begin supporting your clients as they prepare to give birth.

  • BONUS

    Plus, you’ll receive free access to:

    ~ Starting Your Doula Business Session
    ~ DONA Birth Certification Q+A

    A value of over $250

“Debra did a wonderful job fostering connection and intimacy in this training. Although I was in a virtual learning environment, I could feel Debra’s deep compassion, honor, and respect for birth and birthing people. I love how she brought racial and social justice issues to the forefront and provided guidance on how to address some of those issues as a birth worker. I am inspired to work with people in my community in the same nurturing and honorable way. I’d recommend this class to anyone who wants well-rounded, culturally diverse and grounding training.”
-Zuri Davidson


“The workshop covered all the practical, ethical and resources needed to do the job. I feel empowered as a Doula to support the birthing person, their partner and community agencies. I appreciate the virtual and in-person sessions and Debra’s wealth of knowledge, she is a fantastic storyteller and delivered the training humbly with grace. I would recommend her Birth Doula workshop to everyone and would be interested in taking other workshops under her guidance.”
-Railyn P.

During this workshop:

  • Connect to a community of like-minded people

  • Discover the role, traditions and research of doulas

  • Discuss the impact of racism and a doula’s role in advocacy, reducing disparities, and creating equity globally

  • Learn the importance of respectful care and how a doula supports informed decision making

  • Explore current practices vs. evidenced-based care

  • Deepen your passion for providing a doula’s nurturing care and touch to women/birthing people in childbirth

  • Learn 10 tips for doulas to support the hormonal physiology and close gaps when they arise, making birth safer and easier

  • Develop a toolkit of comfort measure

  • Create a language for gentle birth and enhance your communication skills

  • Learn birth traditions: dance, songs and comfort

"I would tell literally anyone who wants to birth, who has a partner who will birth, or who wants to learn about their inner power - “you must attend this course to heal yourself and the rest of our society.”
-Melissa Rose Hirsch

Meet Debra

Debra has trained thousands of doulas, birth keepers, and parents around the world in the practices of gentle birth support. She is the Founder & President of Pain to Power Childbirth Experience, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, author and inspirational international speaker, and chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization. Debra’s passion comes from her years as a Lamaze International childbirth educator, and birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International where she has worked with women, men, midwives, doulas, nurses, and physicians in over 40 countries bringing comfort, love, and pleasure to birth and life!
  • Alejandra Lozano
  • Amadoma Bediako

Special Guest Teachers

  • Alejandra Lozano, LCCE, Midwife

    Since the birth of her son Mariano, she became passionate about birth, and began her preparation to become a professional and traditional midwife, with the intention that more women have the opportunity to live a respected, pleasurable, transcendental birth experience, with company, trust and love. Combining ancestral knowledge from the ancient and traditional midwives of México and Latin America with the most up-to-date scientific evidence to find a balance in the needs of today’s women and to keep the traditional medicine alive.
    Her personal interest is to offer quality midwifery services at low costs so every woman can have the same opportunities, always working as a team with other Midwives and health providers.

  • Amadoma Bediako, MS, CCCE, CLC, CD/BDT(DONA) FDC, P.A.I.L.

    Amadoma Bediako has been a birth worker since the late 70's when she worked with a cadre of women who were all part of an African centered religious and cultural organization, based in New York City. In January, 1979 she attended her first birth. She has since attended births in a variety of settings, including clients’ homes, hospitals and birthing centers. Amadoma has a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a master’s degree in Education. A founding member and vice president of “Sistahs for Better Birthing”, Amadoma worked with this group to sponsor the ICTC Black Midwives and Healers Conference in Harlem in 2008. She is also a longtime supporter of The Harlem Birth Action Committee. Amadoma is a childbirth educator, certified by CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). She is a certified birth doula with DONA International as well as a DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer. She teaches weekly childbirth classes and is a labor doula with the By My Side Birth Support Program, through Healthy Start Brooklyn. She has taught “Dancing thru Pregnancy” classes for this program as well. Amadoma is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and worked for many years as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor with the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services WIC program.

Become a doula!

Scholarships

In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities leading to higher maternal mortality rates for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

We believe doulas help to create a more equitable, respectful, maternity care system.

We want to support and amplify BIPOC voices and support every person to have a safe, satisfying, and pleasurable birth and ensuring there is a doula for every person who wants one is an essential step.

We are offering a number of BIPOC Scholarships to promised doulas at 25% rate.

If you are an individual who identifies as a BIPOC and has a financial barrier to taking our course, we welcome you to apply for our scholarship.

Please submit a 1 minute video or letter addressing the questions below:

Why would you like to become a doula?
How will you use this opportunity to support your community?
Do you identify as BIPOC?


Submit your entry and/or questions to: [email protected]

Our scholarships are reserved for BIPOC individuals with financial need. If you are not a BIPOC, we have payment plans available.



Refund Policy


If you find it necessary to cancel your reservation, the following cancellation policy will apply:

A deposit of $300 is nonrefundable, remaining paid balance is refundable in full until 60 days prior to the first day of the event.

After 60 days prior to the first day of the event a 50% refund will be given

No refunds after 30 days prior, however, spaces are transferable so you may sell or gift your space.