This picture is going around social media and is featured in an article on cafe mom.  The author discusses the problem being that the photographer needs to bet better aware of the background.   I wish this were an issue of photo framing.  What I see as the REAL issue in this photograph is in the background, and it's more than an exposed vulva.   Here's the REAL problem - Infant-Centric care.   The parent, having just birthed their baby, their body still working to bring the uterus down, control bleeding, prepare for feeding this new baby and heal from birth - the par ..read more

BEST Certified Doulas can accept CARROT, many employee benefit programs, medicaid and private insurance ..read more

Sometimes the best moments of a training workshop are the ones shared when the training day has closed. When we are left with the thoughts of the day to fill our heads and over a meal, beautiful new doulas share with us their thoughts and ideas about the day’s topics. As we enter World Doula Week, we want to share with you one of these conversations. This one was about Taking Up Space. In training we discuss the work of Sheryl Sandberg and her ideas of physically taking up space to raise one’s confidence and lower cortisol levels. We discuss this in the context of birth and how physical posi ..read more

I hear you - you want to become a doula and wonder how you’ll ever manage self employment, kids, and the special difficulties a doula schedule brings. Hi, I am Amanda, I am a single mom who works two jobs. . . kinda like Reba sang . . . I work a few jobs, but I never really feel that way. The short of it is YES. YES you can do it. Is it challenging, sure? Worth it? YES! The keys are - know where your support is and create a plan that works for your family. Single parent and want to become a BESTie? Here’s a hand for you, because we see you and you’re not alone. Single Parent? Use the code SIN ..read more

We think being a doula is the best job and we think doulas change the world. Who wouldn't want to have career that is both awesome and world changing?! If you are shopping around for a doula training, we encourage you to ask lots of questions so you can be an informed decision maker. Since we get asked about choosing doula training almost every day, we have chosen a few of the questions we get asked the most…and have answered them. We recommend asking these questions to every organization that your are considering. Do you offer in-person or online doula training? BEST offers both! Th ..read more

We will be the first to admit, when we launched online training we were nervous about how it would go. The community at BEST is important to us and we wanted to be sure everyone felt valued, heard and supported throughout training. Every BESTie is an essential member of our community. We are happy to say that those who have attended training online not only build community during training, and are 100% prepared to launch into birth work… they also have the entire BEST community cheering them on and supporting them. What do I need to attend online training? You probably already have all you nee ..read more

Let’s talk about reviews. All entrepreneurs hope for positive reviews. As business owners a negative review always kinda hurts and might even feel unfair in some cases, but it can also push us to grow. At BEST we work hard to prepare doulas for their work, to build an incredible community of birth workers, and we hope that all the birth workers we train feel honored, cared for and supported, ready to build their businesses, and do this world changing work. Sometimes, we may let someone down and we work hard to make it right. Sometimes, there are things we just can’t bend on because they are so ..read more

“Your dream should be so big that you pee on yourself a little when you think about it.” — Iyanla Vazant I know Eeewwwww right!? Haha!When I first heard this statement admittedly I was a bit grossed out, not knowing it would be how I measured all my dreams from that day forward. So yes, I am an Entrepreneur, but a year ago when planning for my legacy - the mere thought of owning a business made me pee myself a little. Ha! Now don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to hard work. Growing up I was blessed to get my first job working for my grandfather at 14 years old, and from birth I wat ..read more

In New York a bill very important to doulas was passed and is on the governor's desk waiting to be signed into law. It’s important that every doula pay attention to this and consider what is happening in their own states. Read the NY York Doula Bill Read BEST’s Letter to Governor Cuomo Background First, let’s put this in context. On March 1, 2019 NY state launched their Medicaid doula pilot program and on June 22, 2019 BEST learned legislation in New York had passed regarding doulas and was awaiting the Governor’s signature. BEST, along with many doula organizations, participated in a zoom co ..read more

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