How would you like to kickstart your new career as a doula while...

  • Being nutured and supported during an all inclusive retreat weekend
  • Connecting with likeminded women in a sacred women's circle
  • Having your learning needs met and catered to

And having the added benefit of learning from someone who has over a decade in birth education, doula and small business experience?

Meet your Doula Training Facilitator - Jo Spies.

Heya, I'm Jo.
Thank you for stopping by and for your interest in my Holistic Doula Training Retreats!

My journey into birth work began nearly 20 years ago and in that time, I've supported many women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a doula.

I've gained a lot of experience attending a range of difficult births including VBACs, breeched, high risk hospital and home births.

Several years ago, I was asked to facilitate doula courses and since then, have created the Holistic Doula Training Retreat weekends.

My goal as the training facilitator, is to empower you with knowledge, skills and practical support within a nurturing and comfortable environment.

You will be given plenty of time to relax between sessions, allowing you to stay focused and go home feeling inspired, motivated and refreshed. You will also receive ongoing support from me via phone or email, before and after your four supervised births.

Course Curriculum

Pregnancy

  • Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy
  • Pregnancy complication
  • Optimal foetal positioning
  • Nutrition and supplementation in pregnancy
  • Medical tests in pregnancy

Labour and Birth

  • Place of birth - Birthing options
  • Stages of labour
  • Role of a doula
  • Role of a partner
  • Self-help techniques
  • Interventions in labour – cascade of interventions
  • Hormones in labour
  • The golden hour
  • The Umbilical cord – all the options
  • Vitamin K

Breastfeeding

  • Establishing breastfeeding
  • Breast crawl
  • Supporting a breastfeeding mother
  • Understanding the mechanics of breastfeeding
  • Trouble shooting for breastfeeding

Postpartum

  • Care for new mother – emotional
  • Perineum care
  • Postpartum changes -physical
  • Baby care

Extra skills

  • Rebozo
  • Homeopathy for pregnancy, labour and postpartum
  • Acupressure for Pregnancy and Labour
  • Massage in Labour
  • Starting a new business

A retreat-style doula training experience on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

You're busy and believe me, I TOTALLY get it! That's exactly why this Sunshine Coast & Brisbane doula training is delivered in a retreat format.

Instead of spending weeks or months completing the course with competing priorities like work and family life, you have the option to step into a dedicated weekend where your needs are completely taken care of.

Between sessions, you'll have time to integrate, rest and connect, so that you go home feeling inspired, grounded and ready to begin.

And the support doesn't end there.

You'll receive phone and email mentoring before and after completing your four supervised births.

Time Investment

IIn addition to attending our in-person doula training retreat, you will need to complete the following:

  • Approximately 15 hours of work completing your Doula Training workbook sent one month prior to the course
  • Attend 4 supervised births and complete the written report with reflections

Create a life and a career that suits you

For many women, birth work begins with their own story.

That was true for me.

After experiencing a difficult birth with my first child, my path shifted into birth work and later into homeopathy, lactation consultancy and kinesiology.

Becoming a doula was the foundation of a career that reflects my values, strengths and desire to support women in powerful life transitions.

As a trained doula, you too can:

  • Build a flexible business
  • Support women through pregnancy, birth and postpartum
  • Create meaningful income aligned with your lifestyle
  • Expand into related modalities over time

This is more than training.

It’s the beginning of something transformational.

Financial Investment

Let's chat investment & inclusions

Investment: $4500 ex GST

As part of my mission to lead impact in the birth space, I aim to make the retreat weekends as financially accessible as possible.

I also offer flexible payment plans and I'm fairly relaxed about how this happens as long as payment has been received before the weekend.

Inclusions:

  • Holistic Doula Training Course
  • Email & phone support before & after four birth practicals
  • Accommodation for the retreat weekend
  • Nourishing & nutritious meals
  • Retreat activities including yoga, sound bowl healing, meditation, breathwork & more

We are currently accepting Expressions of interest for our 2026 Doula Training Retreat.

Ready to take the next step?

Woohoo, I'm so glad to hear that! Please complete the Expression of Interest form below to receive an information pack and registration form.

Once your registration form has been submitted, Jo will be in contact via phone to finalise the enrolment process.

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