Birthkeepers Apprenticeship
at Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
For Birthkeepers of All Kinds, Mamas & Babies & All Who Support Them
2020 Course Now Open for Registration!
Buddy Discount Available, $100 off
We are overjoyed to invite you to join us for our Birthkeepers Apprenticeship, a program designed to support mamas, new or expecting parents, babies, birthkeepers and workers and all those who support the birth process to explore together. Participants will receive their Doula Certification via the Birth Well during the first portion of the course, and then will go on to receive in depth classes as well as develop skills to support mamas, babies, birth and beyond!
The Birthkeeper Apprenticeship Is:
~ For individuals with an interested in gaining knowledge and support while going through or supporting others through the birth process.
~ Focused on empowering participants with basic knowledge and information birth, various methods of support, fertility, holistic wellness and support for new mamas, babies and families and more.
~ Taught by skilled instructors in areas of birth, holistic health, herbs, nutrition, with years of professional experience.
~ Is designed to give you practical skills as well as basic theoretical background to implement knowledge and strategies gained in this course for self or as a professional service.
The Birthkeeper Apprenticeship Is:
~ For individuals with an interested in gaining knowledge and support while going through or supporting others through the birth process.
~ Focused on empowering participants with basic knowledge and information birth, various methods of support, fertility, holistic wellness and support for new mamas, babies and families and more.
~ Taught by skilled instructors in areas of birth, holistic health, herbs, nutrition, with years of professional experience.
~ Is designed to give you practical skills as well as basic theoretical background to implement knowledge and strategies gained in this course for self or as a professional service.
Location:
Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
1620 Chester Avenue
Bryans Road, MD 20616
Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
1620 Chester Avenue
Bryans Road, MD 20616
Program Schedule
May 24 from 10-5
Herbal Medicine Making & Herb Gardening, Tinctures, Teas, Oils, Salves, Seed Starting & Herbal Gardening
May 29, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown & Amazing Trainers of the Birth Well (full description of Doula Certification Below)
May 30, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown of the Birth Well
May 31, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown of the Birth Well
*Doula Certification
- The attendee will receive a certificate of attendance for the workshop, which is one step toward becoming a certified doula with the Birth Well.
The other steps include taking a childbirth class, lactation class, book reviews and attending 3 births as a doula in training.
August 23 from 12 - 6
Creating Sacred Birth Space, Caring for Mama & Baby Basics, Post Partum Womb Steams with Muneera Fontaine
September 26 from 12-6
Serving the LGBTQIA Birth Community with Holly Poole Kavana
September 27 from 12 - 6
Hale Pe’a to Hānau - Post Partum Care Observing the connection between the Moon Cycle and Childbirth and its physical, mental, and emotional implications on the Postpartum Period. Gathering indigenous wisdom to support, nourish, and celebrate parenthood.
October 17 from 12 - 6
Herbs for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum with Olivia Fite
October 18 from 12-6
Gentle Birth Paradigm, Birth Relaxation and Visualization Techniques, and Lactation Education Class with Malika Hook Muhammad
Herbal Medicine Making & Herb Gardening, Tinctures, Teas, Oils, Salves, Seed Starting & Herbal Gardening
May 29, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown & Amazing Trainers of the Birth Well (full description of Doula Certification Below)
May 30, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown of the Birth Well
May 31, 2020 from 9-5
Doula Certification - Nilajah Brown of the Birth Well
*Doula Certification
- The attendee will receive a certificate of attendance for the workshop, which is one step toward becoming a certified doula with the Birth Well.
The other steps include taking a childbirth class, lactation class, book reviews and attending 3 births as a doula in training.
August 23 from 12 - 6
Creating Sacred Birth Space, Caring for Mama & Baby Basics, Post Partum Womb Steams with Muneera Fontaine
September 26 from 12-6
Serving the LGBTQIA Birth Community with Holly Poole Kavana
September 27 from 12 - 6
Hale Pe’a to Hānau - Post Partum Care Observing the connection between the Moon Cycle and Childbirth and its physical, mental, and emotional implications on the Postpartum Period. Gathering indigenous wisdom to support, nourish, and celebrate parenthood.
October 17 from 12 - 6
Herbs for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum with Olivia Fite
October 18 from 12-6
Gentle Birth Paradigm, Birth Relaxation and Visualization Techniques, and Lactation Education Class with Malika Hook Muhammad
Professional Doula Training
The Birth Well Doula Training by Nilajah Brown is designed to arm you with the tools necessary to provide physical, emotional and informational support to birthing families; whether they are birthing in a hospital, birth center or home. We will co-create a space to explore ways to reclaim and preserve traditional birthing practices within this modern birth culture.
Some topics we will explore:
Honoring the legacy of Grand midwives, Creating a sacred birthing space , Comfort measures from around the world including aromatherapy, acupressure, rebozo, herbology, homeopathy and more. The business side of being a doula, visualizations and meditations for sacred birthing, How to facilitate a Birth Blessingway, Whole body health during pregnancy, Normal Physiological Labor, Common medical interventions and how to help when they are needed, Positive and Effective communication, Birth plan preparation, Linkage to community resources, Facilitate communication between mother and partner/family and medical personnel, Infant care education and support, motivating and supporting women in breastfeeding, Perinatal Mood Disorder screening and so much more!
Certification
- The attendee will receive a certificate of attendance for the workshop, which is one step toward becoming a certified doula with the Birth Well. They would be certified by The Birth Well.
The other steps include taking a childbirth class, breastfeeding, book reviews and attending 3 births as a doula in training.
Some topics we will explore:
Honoring the legacy of Grand midwives, Creating a sacred birthing space , Comfort measures from around the world including aromatherapy, acupressure, rebozo, herbology, homeopathy and more. The business side of being a doula, visualizations and meditations for sacred birthing, How to facilitate a Birth Blessingway, Whole body health during pregnancy, Normal Physiological Labor, Common medical interventions and how to help when they are needed, Positive and Effective communication, Birth plan preparation, Linkage to community resources, Facilitate communication between mother and partner/family and medical personnel, Infant care education and support, motivating and supporting women in breastfeeding, Perinatal Mood Disorder screening and so much more!
Certification
- The attendee will receive a certificate of attendance for the workshop, which is one step toward becoming a certified doula with the Birth Well. They would be certified by The Birth Well.
The other steps include taking a childbirth class, breastfeeding, book reviews and attending 3 births as a doula in training.
About Your Instructors
Nilajah Brown
Nilajah Brown has had the honor of serving pregnant families for over 20 years. She brings a wealth of traditional birthing wisdom from African, Caribbean and Native American cultures. She is a professionally trained and certified mother, pregnancy yoga teacher, childbirth educator, midwife assistant, doula, doula trainer, reiki practitioner, and breastfeeding counselor.
Reclaiming pregnancy/childbirth as a sacred rite of passage is her life's work and passion. “It is my belief that all women instinctively know how to birth their baby. When women trust their own powerful knowing on the inside, and not the well intended advice from the outside, they will birth as nature intended them to. For a woman to open up and birth naturally, she must feel safe, in her surroundings, whether that is in a big hospital, small birthing unit or at home. Only a mother knows with whom and where she feels safe. I believe that every birth a woman has is perfect for her and her partner’s evolution. The growth that comes from challenging births is equal to the joy that manifests through these changes."
Nilajah Brown has had the honor of serving pregnant families for over 20 years. She brings a wealth of traditional birthing wisdom from African, Caribbean and Native American cultures. She is a professionally trained and certified mother, pregnancy yoga teacher, childbirth educator, midwife assistant, doula, doula trainer, reiki practitioner, and breastfeeding counselor.
Reclaiming pregnancy/childbirth as a sacred rite of passage is her life's work and passion. “It is my belief that all women instinctively know how to birth their baby. When women trust their own powerful knowing on the inside, and not the well intended advice from the outside, they will birth as nature intended them to. For a woman to open up and birth naturally, she must feel safe, in her surroundings, whether that is in a big hospital, small birthing unit or at home. Only a mother knows with whom and where she feels safe. I believe that every birth a woman has is perfect for her and her partner’s evolution. The growth that comes from challenging births is equal to the joy that manifests through these changes."
Malika Hook Muhammad
Malika trained to be a doula in 2008 by Debra Pascali-Bonoro, author of Orgasmic Birth. After training, she spent several years working with the Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support (PALS), providing childbirth education and support to families with limited financial resources. Malika moved to the DC metro Area in 2011 set-up shop as The DC Doula. With the help of an amazing doula and her husband, Malika peacefully navigated 50 hours of active labor that resulted in the birth of a fantastic little boy. In her spare time, Malika enjoys practicing yoga, studying herbalism, and learning about natural healing. In her other career, Malika obtained Masters degrees in Social Work and Education from Columbia University and Baruch College in New York City.
Malika trained to be a doula in 2008 by Debra Pascali-Bonoro, author of Orgasmic Birth. After training, she spent several years working with the Philadelphia Alliance for Labor Support (PALS), providing childbirth education and support to families with limited financial resources. Malika moved to the DC metro Area in 2011 set-up shop as The DC Doula. With the help of an amazing doula and her husband, Malika peacefully navigated 50 hours of active labor that resulted in the birth of a fantastic little boy. In her spare time, Malika enjoys practicing yoga, studying herbalism, and learning about natural healing. In her other career, Malika obtained Masters degrees in Social Work and Education from Columbia University and Baruch College in New York City.
Holly Poole Kavana
Holly was a budding botanist at a young age, and followed her interest to earn a BS in botany from Cornell University in 2000. She started studying herbal medicine in 2005 at the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine in Oakland, CA after her experiences with health care work led her to seek out new option for healing. She went on to apprentice with herbalist 7song at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, participating in medicine making, free clinic consultations, and wildcrafting in addition to classroom learning. She also completed the Sacred Plant Traditions Clinic II program in which student herbalists see clients in a free clinic under the supervision of experienced mentors. She practices herbal medicine in Washington DC.
In addition to her work as an herbalist, Holly works as an out-of-hospital birth assistant, and provided wellness education and clinical support at a Washington DC birth center for just under ten years before leaving to focus on herbal work.
Holly was a budding botanist at a young age, and followed her interest to earn a BS in botany from Cornell University in 2000. She started studying herbal medicine in 2005 at the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine in Oakland, CA after her experiences with health care work led her to seek out new option for healing. She went on to apprentice with herbalist 7song at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, participating in medicine making, free clinic consultations, and wildcrafting in addition to classroom learning. She also completed the Sacred Plant Traditions Clinic II program in which student herbalists see clients in a free clinic under the supervision of experienced mentors. She practices herbal medicine in Washington DC.
In addition to her work as an herbalist, Holly works as an out-of-hospital birth assistant, and provided wellness education and clinical support at a Washington DC birth center for just under ten years before leaving to focus on herbal work.
Muneera Fontaine
Muneera Fontaine is a wife and mother to three children 18, 10, and 2. She first became interested in birth when planning her own VBAC. After successfully reaching her goal with the help of a supportive midwife and her husband, she realized that she wanted to help other women learn more and reach the same goals. She learned about being a doula and immediately began studying and attending births. She has been attending births and supporting mommas since 2008. She has attended over 100 births and served over 350 women and families across the services she provides. She currently practices as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Child Birth Educator, Peer Lactation Consultant, and certified Womb Sauna vaginal steamer. She also works in early intervention with children birth-3 with special needs and is an Ed.D Candidate in Special Education at The George Washington University.
When she’s not multi-tasking like crazy, she enjoys cooking (and watching cooking shows!), building with like-minded sistas, spending quality time with those she loves, and reading good literature.
Muneera Fontaine is a wife and mother to three children 18, 10, and 2. She first became interested in birth when planning her own VBAC. After successfully reaching her goal with the help of a supportive midwife and her husband, she realized that she wanted to help other women learn more and reach the same goals. She learned about being a doula and immediately began studying and attending births. She has been attending births and supporting mommas since 2008. She has attended over 100 births and served over 350 women and families across the services she provides. She currently practices as a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Child Birth Educator, Peer Lactation Consultant, and certified Womb Sauna vaginal steamer. She also works in early intervention with children birth-3 with special needs and is an Ed.D Candidate in Special Education at The George Washington University.
When she’s not multi-tasking like crazy, she enjoys cooking (and watching cooking shows!), building with like-minded sistas, spending quality time with those she loves, and reading good literature.
Cori Achi of Mamala Resources
As a mother of 6 children (3 homebirths), Cori believes that birth can be a source of healing & empowerment for women. As a Hawaiian Native, she has a deep respect for the placenta and was taught that this life giving organ and the umbilical cord or “piko” is what binds a child to the “ʻĀina” or land. Cori is a Birthkeeper trained at Centro Ashe & is a survivor of Birth Trauma, Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Post-partum Depression. It is her mission to use indigenous wisdom to support, nourish, empower, and celebrate motherhood.
As a mother of 6 children (3 homebirths), Cori believes that birth can be a source of healing & empowerment for women. As a Hawaiian Native, she has a deep respect for the placenta and was taught that this life giving organ and the umbilical cord or “piko” is what binds a child to the “ʻĀina” or land. Cori is a Birthkeeper trained at Centro Ashe & is a survivor of Birth Trauma, Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Post-partum Depression. It is her mission to use indigenous wisdom to support, nourish, empower, and celebrate motherhood.
Molly Meehan
Give this Course as a Gift!
Apprenticeship Investment & Logistics:
HOLIDAY SALE PRICE $1350 From November 21 - December 6, 2019
Important Info - Read Carefully:
- Discounts/Scholarship/Worktrade Pricing Cannot be Dually Applied to Our Programs
- Email us at [email protected] in order to let us know which program you would like to sign up for and we will end you a payment link via email.
- Discount Offer Will Be Available only to those who pay IN FULL (minus onsite cash payments for Costa Rica programs) for the program via the payment link we will send you in your email payable with any major credit or debit card, and is good ONLY during the Holiday Sale Dates (November 21 - December 6, 2019)
- Please check all dates before signing up and be very sure you are able to attend the programs before registering as all payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
-Please note certain programs require an application and registration is pending acceptance to the program.
Questions: Contact Us at [email protected]
Important Info - Read Carefully:
- Discounts/Scholarship/Worktrade Pricing Cannot be Dually Applied to Our Programs
- Email us at [email protected] in order to let us know which program you would like to sign up for and we will end you a payment link via email.
- Discount Offer Will Be Available only to those who pay IN FULL (minus onsite cash payments for Costa Rica programs) for the program via the payment link we will send you in your email payable with any major credit or debit card, and is good ONLY during the Holiday Sale Dates (November 21 - December 6, 2019)
- Please check all dates before signing up and be very sure you are able to attend the programs before registering as all payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
-Please note certain programs require an application and registration is pending acceptance to the program.
Questions: Contact Us at [email protected]
Cost is $1500
A Deposit of $200 is due to hold your spot, and your final payment is due by April 1, 2020.
All payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please arrive 15 minutes early for class each day and bring food to eat for lunch that does not need to be refridgerated. There are not nearby locations to purchase food
PAYMENT to $wildgingerherbal on Cashapp with any major card
A Deposit of $200 is due to hold your spot, and your final payment is due by April 1, 2020.
All payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please arrive 15 minutes early for class each day and bring food to eat for lunch that does not need to be refridgerated. There are not nearby locations to purchase food
PAYMENT to $wildgingerherbal on Cashapp with any major card
Buddy Pricing Discount
Sign Up with a Buddy & Get a $100 Discount
Worktrade
Set Up/Clean Up Classroom (1 space available )
We have one worktrade available for someone willing to come and deep clean our classroom and set up our classrooms before and after class each month in exchange for reduced tuition for our program. This includes setting up our tea and water as well as course materials, doing stray dishes, sweeping floors, surfaces, organizing and other tasks as needed. Highly motivated, and organized individuals for this position. This person comes 1.5 hour before class and stays 1.5 hour after each class, plus one additional day of 6 hours of help here in the classroom to be scheduled during the course for a total of 32 hours of service over the course of the program. By signing up for this worktrade you agree to for pay $720 for the course plus work a total of 32 hours as described above (you are trading at $15 an hour). If you sign up for this worktrade you agree to come on these days and times, if you miss a weekend for any reason you will need to pay $15 per hours for the missed hours within one week of the missed worktrade day and could loose your worktrade position. Payment is due to hold this spot to $wildgingerherbal (only after you have applied and been accepted)
Apply immediatly to [email protected] let us know why you'd be a great pick for this spot!
We have one worktrade available for someone willing to come and deep clean our classroom and set up our classrooms before and after class each month in exchange for reduced tuition for our program. This includes setting up our tea and water as well as course materials, doing stray dishes, sweeping floors, surfaces, organizing and other tasks as needed. Highly motivated, and organized individuals for this position. This person comes 1.5 hour before class and stays 1.5 hour after each class, plus one additional day of 6 hours of help here in the classroom to be scheduled during the course for a total of 32 hours of service over the course of the program. By signing up for this worktrade you agree to for pay $720 for the course plus work a total of 32 hours as described above (you are trading at $15 an hour). If you sign up for this worktrade you agree to come on these days and times, if you miss a weekend for any reason you will need to pay $15 per hours for the missed hours within one week of the missed worktrade day and could loose your worktrade position. Payment is due to hold this spot to $wildgingerherbal (only after you have applied and been accepted)
Apply immediatly to [email protected] let us know why you'd be a great pick for this spot!
