Become a Postpartum Doula

with Melissa Chappell, LDEM, CPM

If you feel called to support women as they become mothers…

You’re Invited to join Us in becoming a postpartum doula!

Postpartum care in our country is failing women and families, and more social support is the answer.

Community postpartum doulas are an integral part of that social support team.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a woman who assists families who have just had babies in the forty-day recovery and integration period after birth. In this training, you’ll gain all of the basic skills and knowledge, plus some of the advanced skills and knowledge you’ll need to help families gracefully navigate the transition and healing from pregnancy to having a new baby!

This training is for anyone who feels called to be part of the remedy for the many issues women face in the postpartum period such as…

  • Depression

  • Anxiety and OCD

  • Lack of family support and paid time off

  • Insufficient time and support for physical and emotional healing

  • Absence of knowledge around newborn care and breastfeeding

  • Loneliness and isolation

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN AT A postpartum DOULA TRAINING…

  • What is the role of a Postpartum Doula?

  • Postpartum physiology

  • Immediate postpartum period

    • Bleeding

    • Afterpains

    • Warning signs

    • Initial breastfeeding latch

    • Newborn care

    • Diapering plus options

    • Vaginal / perineal wound care

    • Padsicles

    • Herbal packs

    • Herbs for immediate postpartum w/ recipes

    • Maternal and newborn sleep

    • Food and recipes for postpartum

  • Weeks 1-6

    • Bleeding and afterpains

    • Pelvic floor health

    • Breastfeeding helps, support, problems, and solutions

    • Recognizing babies who are surviving vs those who thriving

    • Gathering social support through postpartum plans

    • Food and recipes for postpartum

    • Maternal and newborn sleep

    • Sexuality and fertility

    • Postpartum mood disorders

  • Rituals and Ceremonies of the postpartum period

    • Cord burning

    • Postpartum bath

    • Closing of the bones

    • Rebozo wrapping

    • Postpartum cacao

    • 3 ways to honor the placenta

    • Poetry and music for the postpartum period

    • Perineal sitz bath herbs and blends

    • Womb massage

    • Herbal foot baths

    • Postpartum mother’s blessings

  • Processing and Holding Space for…

    • Birth story

    • Trauma

    • NICU

    • Extended hospital stay or transfer

    • Changes in newborn feeding plans

    • The power of rebirthing ceremonies

  • Cultural awareness and competency

  • Business aspects of being a postpartum doula

  • How to gracefully end the postpartum doula relationship

  • Certification questions and test

About Melissa

Melissa is a state licensed and nationally certified midwife which enables her to bring an expertise to her doula trainings that you won’t often find in other workshops.

Over the course of 23 years, Melissa has trained over 1,500 women to be doulas. Melissa’s workshops are heartfelt and connective. You won’t just learn how to be a doula, you’ll also grow and develop your personal expertise as an advocate, supporter, and champion in other areas of life, as well.

 

 WORKSHOP POLICIES & DETAILS

  1. This is a two-day training held on Friday and Saturday, from 9am to 6:30pm both days. You are required to attend the whole training in order to receive your certificate.

  2. You will be certified after taking this training. Please see FAQs below for details.

  3. At this training you will receive a copy of, “The First Forty Days.”

  4. At the training, you’ll be provided with delicious lunches and snacks throughout, and you’ll receive a resource book of copy-able handouts and articles for use in your own postpartum doula practice.

  5. There are two prerequisites for attending this class: You must 1) read the book, “Nurturing Beginnings, Guide to Postpartum Care for Doulas and Community Outreach Workers AND 2) have a basic working knowledge of the six-week postpartum period, such as knowledge about what postpartum bleeding is, what it means to have a vaginal or perineal tear, what engorgement means, etc.

  6. Non-mobile nursing babies are allowed but please be considerate of other students. Older nursing babies are allowed to visit on breaks but not during class. Dogs are not allowed, unless they are registered service animals (you must show the certificate).

  7. Workshop fees are non-refundable but can be put toward future training if you aren’t able to attend the workshop you registered for. You must coordinate with me to reschedule, as you will not be automatically added to a new training without chatting with me first.

Frequently Asked Questions

ARE YOU READY TO answer the call to improve the postpartum experience for mothers?

Early bird pricing is now available! Sign up early, trainings almost always get sold out!

Payment plans are available at checkout.

Postpartum Doula Training July 24-25, 2026
Sale Price: $825.00 Original Price: $925.00

Held in Payson, Utah from 9am-6:30pm each day. Certification included.

Postpartum Doula Training November 6-7. 2026
Sale Price: $825.00 Original Price: $925.00

Held in Payson, Utah from 9am-6:30pm each day. Certification included.

Melissa has a guest room in her home. If you’re traveling from a far-away location for the training and are interested in staying here, please email her at melissa@melissachappell.com.

Curious about my Birth doula trainings?