Birth & Postpartum Doula Certification Training:
Full-Spectrum Doula Course Guatemala
Lake Atitlán Doula Retreat January 24-31, 2026 with Doula School Canada
Transform Your Passion Into a Professional Doula Career | 50+ Hours Live Doula Training
Are you ready to become a certified doula? Our immersive full-spectrum doula training program combines ancient birthing wisdom with evidence-based modern doula practices. This doula certification retreat takes place at Guatemala’s most mystical destination, Lake Atitlán, where the Tz’utujil people believe there is no such thing as ‘leaving,’ only returning home.
This comprehensive birth doula course and postpartum doula training goes beyond traditional classroom learning. You’ll experience a transformative journey that deepens your connection to professional birth support while immersing yourself in a culture that has honored midwifery and birthing traditions for generations.
Perfect For:
This course is perfect for anyone exploring a new career in birthwork, as well as those on their pregnancy journey, and professionals such as educators, counselors, healthcare workers, yoga instructors, or anyone with a passion for reproductive health.
Duration and effort
50+ hour doula retreat
70 hours of comprehensive online learning and mentorship
January 24-31, 2026
Certifications
Certified Birth Doula
Certified Postpartum Doula
Certified Fertility Doula
Certificate in Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support
Mentorship
Mentors always available for one-on-one support
Many free and low-cost webinars for continuing education
Location
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
GUATEMALA IN PERSON RETREAT
Tuition
$2,400.00 CAD
(+room and board)
This intensive doula program offers comprehensive
professional credentials recognized internationally. Graduate with:
• Certified birth doula credentials
• Postpartum doula certification
• Full-spectrum doula training completion
• Advanced doula continuing education hours
• Professional doula network connections
• Business development tools for your doula practice
Our comprehensive doula curriculum includes:
• Birth doula techniques: Labor support, comfort measures, positioning
• Postpartum doula certification: Newborn care, infant feeding support, family transitions
• Doula business training: Building your professional practice
• Cultural competency: Learning from indigenous birth traditions
• Evidence-based practices: Current research in birth support
Course Credentials: A Global Journey in Doula Education
Triple Certification = Maximum Career Potential Complete all three programs and become a full-spectrum reproductive health professional. Stand out in the growing doula market with comprehensive credentials that serve families from conception through postpartum and beyond.
Birth & Postpartum Doula Certification | Full-Spectrum Training
Master comprehensive doula skills from pregnancy through postpartum recovery. Our dual certification program covers labor support, newborn care, breastfeeding assistance, and perinatal mental health. Graduate ready to provide professional birth support and postpartum care that transforms families' experiences during their most vulnerable moments. Key Skills: Labor comfort measures, postpartum recovery support, newborn care expertise.
Fertility Doula Training | Reproductive Health Specialization
Become a certified fertility doula with in-depth training in reproductive anatomy, hormonal health, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Support clients through conception challenges, IVF journeys, and holistic fertility approaches. Fill the growing demand for specialized fertility support in your doula practice. Key Skills: Fertility counseling, ART support, holistic reproductive health guidance
Perinatal Loss Certification | Grief & Bereavement Doula Training
Gain specialized skills in supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss. Learn professional communication techniques, grief validation methods, and appropriate referral protocols. Become a certified bereavement doula offering compassionate care during life's most difficult moments. Key Skills: Loss support, grief counseling, professional bereavement care
Meet Your Expert Instructor: Stefanie Antunes
With over 20 years transforming birth experiences, Stefanie is a captivating leader and co-owner of Doula School Canada. As a certified Lamaze® Educator and professional doula since 2002, she’s guided countless families through positive childbirth journeys and has led doula training for the world’s top institutions.
This visionary childbirth expert serves as President of Doula School Canada, board member with the Association of Ontario Doulas, and former DONA International leader. A contributing author to bestselling books and 2022 Business Woman of the Year winner, Stefanie believes positive birth experiences create stronger families and a better world.
Stefanie is a contributing author in the best selling Power of Women United and the book Bearing Witness: Childbirth Stories Told by Doulas. She is a regular contributing writer and blogger, and has done many interviews online and for TV/radio. Stefanie was awarded Business Woman of the Year 2022 by CanadianSME.
Her belief is that the world can be a better place if parents can have more positive childbirth experiences that allow them to bond properly with their babies. She works tirelessly to change the world in this aspect…one family at a time.
Cynthia
★★★★★
“I think this is a wonderful and much needed program. I see this specialty really helping so many lives. Even as a trained midwife I learned so much!”
Rachelle
★★★★★
“Cannot waaaait to have these tools under my belt. Doula School is incredible. I am so grateful for you!”
Busy mom
★★★★★
“So much of the content is covering stuff I was really wondering about (e.g what is meant by emotional support, and the nuances of relationship building with primary care folks). Loving it!!
Graduate student
★★★★★
“Training with DTC to become a Birth Doula has been an amazing positive experience in my life. I feel so blessed to have joined a sensational group of women pushing the bar to educate, encourage and empower women during the most incredible journey of their life.”
Why Choose Lake Atitlán for Your Doula Education
Professional doula certification meets spiritual awakening at Lake Atitlán’s healing waters, which have drawn birth workers and healers for centuries. Located in the village of Santa Cruz, our expert doula instructors including Stefanie guide you through comprehensive training alongside a community where birth is celebrated as sacred passage and traditional birth wisdom is treasured.
Develop your doula skills training surrounded by three majestic volcanoes reflecting in crystalline waters. This stunning natural classroom enhances every aspect of your doula certification program, from comfort measures and labor support techniques to postpartum care and breastfeeding support.
Comfortable Accommodations for Focused Learning
Your retreat accommodation includes private or shared rooms with ensuite bathrooms, comfortable beds, reliable hot water, high-speed WiFi, and spectacular lake views. Direct lake access provides opportunities for reflection and integration of your doula education.
Traditional boat transportation connects you to nearby Mayan villages for cultural excursions that deepen your understanding of global birth practices and community-centered postpartum support systems.
Lotus Jr Suite – Single/Private $1780
Lotus King bed (double occ) $1485
Lotus King bed – Single/Private $1850
Lotus Twin (double occ) $1215
Lotus (tripple occ) $1340
Ginger Suite – King Bed Single $1900
Jaguar Bungalow – Queen bed single $1725
Prices in USD
CURRICULUM
Birth Doula
- Learn about conception and the pregnancy journey
- Learn about normal pregnancy changes and how we can help people experiencing challenges and discomforts
- Learn about the hormones of pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum
- Review the history of birth and understand our current context
- Learn about the history of labour support
- Explore various issues affecting under-resourced families and how you can help
- Learn about working with families from different cultures, religions, backgrounds and how you can level-up your support
- Explore your own biases and knowledge gaps
- Get a deep dive on the BEST ways to support families prenatally
- Explore a variety of activities to use in your prenatal visits with families
- Learn the MOST effective way to do a consultation with a client to get hired
- Review communication tools and strategies to make the most of your interactions with families and care providers
- Learn about the signs of labour and stages of labour.
- Explore the role of the doula and how we support people through the journey.
- Delve into the 5 elements of care: emotional, physical, informational, partner support, advocacy.
- Practice hands-on skills to use in birth to help increase comfort and decrease pain.
- Learn about the various medications families will have access to in labour and birth, their benefits and trade-offs
- Learn about the most common challenging situations and how to handle them as a doula
- Explore the reasons for cesareans and how to support families through these experiences
- Learn about normal newborn characteristics
- Learn about newborn feeding and how to support families
- Learn about perinatal health disorders
- Discuss how to get your first clients
- Learn how to get started in your practice
- Review the various options for how you can work as a doula
Postpartum Doula
- Normal physiological changes in the postpartum body
- Warning signs in the postpartum period
- Comfort measures for new parents
- Referrals sources for additional support
- Normal newborn characteristics
- Warning signs in newborns
- Diapering, bathing
- Soothing techniques
- Each class, you will gain access a new module that contains video and audio lessons, slide deck, hand outs, links and resource lists, worksheets, and reflection and/or quiz questions.
- How to support families through PMADs
- Knowing the difference between various PMADs
- How to resource people through the “Baby Blues”
- How to provide resources for other PMADs
- Our role and scope in supporting postpartum mental health
- Review the history of the early postpartum period and understand our current context
- Learn about the history of postpartum community support
- Explore various issues affecting under-resourced families and how you can help
- Learn about working with families from different cultures, religions, backgrounds and how you can level-up your support
- Explore your own biases and knowledge gaps
Fertility Doula
- Introduction to Fertility
- Anatomy of egg, sperm & reproductive organs
- Hormones
- The Fertile Window
- How to identify symptoms
- Translation information into a chart
- Assistance options
- What this type of support looks like
- Birth Control Chart
- Coming off of birth control
- Variation by individuals
- What this type of support looks like
- Holistic Health and Holistic Fertility Options
- Physican Preparation
- Emotional Preparation
- Education Preparation
- Common terms when trying to conceive
- What this type of support looks like
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- LUF
- Hypothyroidism
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Grief, Loss and Fertility
- Types of specialist charting
- What the first appointment may look like
- Some standard tests
- Ongoing support
- What this type of support looks like
- Types of specialist charting
- What the first appointment may look like
- Some standard tests
- Ongoing support
- What this type of support looks like
- Assisted reproductive technology
- Surrogacy
- Adoption and foster parenting
- What this type of support looks like
Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support
- What is Grief and Loss
- Anatomy, Physiology and Experiences of Loss
- The Role of a Loss Support Person
- Caring for Baby and Honouring the Memory in Grief
- Memorial Arrangements and Community Support
- Communication, Support, and Listening Skills
- And much more related to companionship, counselling, and community resource development
- The modules are an opportunity for students completing the full training to gain awareness about theoretical concepts around loss, grief, trauma and companionship. There are many resources, articles, videos, and methods to test your ability to support others in loss.
Premium Doula Training Facility at Villa Sumaya Retreat Center
Experience luxury doula education at Villa Sumaya Retreat, where eco-conscious hospitality meets professional development. Begin each day with optional yoga practice overlooking the lake, then participate in intensive hands-on doula workshops in naturally-lit learning spaces with panoramic views. Nourish your body between training sessions with farm-fresh, organic vegetarian meals prepared by local cooks using ingredients from surrounding Guatemalan villages.Join Our Doula Training Community
Connect with aspiring certified doulas who share your dedication to excellence in birth support. Together, explore how traditional knowledge enhances contemporary doula practice, creating well-rounded professionals prepared for diverse birthing environments.
Ready to start your doula certification journey? Join Doula School Canada at Lake Atitlán and discover why our graduates become the most sought-after professional birth doulas worldwide.
Register now for our January 2026 Guatemala doula retreat and transform your calling into a thriving doula career.
FAQ
The main airport that will bring you to Lake Atitlan is La Aurora International Airport
If you are interested in arriving earlier, you are welcome to book a night at the retreat center. Email or call us.
If you are interested in arriving earlier, you are welcome to book a night at the retreat center. Email or call us.
Full participation is required to complete the program and to receive your yoga alliance certification. Three hours of missed classes with a valid reason will be excused without makeup. Any additional hours missed will require communication with a facilitator and an action plan as to how hours can be completed. Additional costs may incur if one-on-one facilitator time is required to make up hours.
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