Conference Registration & Welcome Package

Your journey at the conference begins here! Check in at the registration desk to receive your conference badge, schedule, and exclusive swag bag—packed with thoughtfully curated gifts and goodies from our amazing sponsors and community partners.

What’s Included?

Your conference pass & event schedule

A specially curated swag bag filled with surprises

A welcome gift to celebrate your role in this incredible community

We can’t wait to welcome you and kick off an unforgettable experience together! See you at registration!

Have you ever wondered exactly what is taking place for you and your clients during a traumatic birth experience? Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn and several other trauma responses often leave us wondering what the "F" just happened. This keynote will help you not only identify what "F" is taking place within your client but also yourself better-quipping everyone in the space to navigate the unexpected during childbirth. 

How birth and death doulas can learn from each other - exploring the parallels between birth and death work, shared skills, and collaborative care.

In this heartfelt and motivational keynote, Cole Imperi shares a deeply personal journey through trauma and recovery, weaving together powerful storytelling alongside current grief science. Through the lenses of compassion and curiosity, Imperi highlights how there’s no way to prevent loss and grief—but there are ways to be prepared for them. Birth and death doulas are uniquely positioned to utilize both clinical and non-clinical tools in assisting their clients through losses. Increasing understanding around one of the most valuable non-clinical tools—our homes—can make the path towards resilience and healing less bumpy. Attendees will learn the science behind long-term mental and physical well-being, gain a deeper context for life's transitions, and discover meaningful connections to the roles of birth and death doulas. This talk offers a transformative experience, leaving audiences inspired, empowered, and with a renewed sense of purpose in their work at the threshold of life's inevitable changes.

Network & Connect

Feeding a baby is about so much more than just lactation. Every family’s journey is unique, shaped by a variety of factors, including personal choice, medical needs, societal pressures, and systemic barriers. This panel takes a broad and inclusive look at infant feeding, exploring not only lactation but also formula feeding, pumping, donor milk, and alternative feeding methods.

We’ll discuss common challenges such as oral ties, low supply, sensory differences, medical conditions, and trauma, as well as ways to provide compassionate, evidence-based support. By shifting the focus from one "right" way to feed to an approach centered on informed choice, accessibility, and family well-being, we can ensure that all parents feel empowered in nourishing their babies—however that may look.

This essential workshop explores the impact of historic and systemic inequities on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences, offering strategies to improve outcomes and foster more positive experiences. Participants will learn how to recognize and address stigma and judgment around the diverse choices parents make, ensuring they receive support without bias. Through guided personal reflection, we will explore ways to intentionally build inclusive and supportive birth teams that truly center the needs of clients. Additionally, we will discuss how to navigate decision-making with compassion while holding providers and facilities accountable for client experiences and outcomes. Join us in creating a future where every birth is met with dignity, respect, and equity.

Doula work can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be emotionally intense and isolating. Having a strong network of peer support can make all the difference—not just in sustaining your work but in strengthening the care you provide. This workshop explores the vital role of peer support in doula work, emphasizing collaboration over competition and the power of community.

We’ll dive into how doulas can build supportive relationships, debrief difficult experiences, prevent burnout, and create networks of care that uplift both clients and doulas alike. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned doula, this session will leave you with tangible strategies for fostering meaningful connections, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that no doula has to do this work alone.

Passion brought you to this work—but how do you build a sustainable doula business without compromising your values, boundaries, or well-being? This panel dives into the realities of running a heart-centered practice while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

From ethical pricing and avoiding burnout to setting boundaries and staying true to your mission, our panelists will share real talk on balancing business and service. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to realign with your purpose, this discussion will offer insight, strategies, and reassurance that you can grow a thriving practice without losing the heart of why you started.

Neurodivergent doulas and clients bring unique perspectives, strengths, and approaches to the full spectrum of doula work—from birth and postpartum to grief, loss, and end-of-life care. This panel explores how neurodivergence influences the ways doulas support clients, and how neurodivergent clients experience these pivotal moments in their lives.

We’ll dive into the challenges and gifts of neurodivergence in both doula and client roles, discussing sensory sensitivities, communication styles, emotional regulation, and executive function. Panelists will share insights on how to create inclusive and accessible spaces for neurodivergent clients, address barriers in care, and develop strategies for maintaining boundaries and preventing burnout while supporting families through moments of joy and sorrow.

This conversation is for neurodivergent doulas, those supporting neurodivergent clients, and anyone interested in understanding how to foster more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible care for all families navigating birth, loss, and end-of-life transitions. Whether supporting families welcoming life or saying goodbye, this panel will explore how we can better serve neurodivergent families with deep understanding, compassion, and flexibility.

Being on call doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your well-being. As doulas, unpredictable hours and overnight shifts can take a toll on our bodies, minds, and overall resilience. This workshop is designed to help you navigate sleep challenges while on call, so you can show up rested, present, and ready to support your clients.

We’ll explore how to identify your sleep type, overcome common barriers to rest, and make intentional choices that improve sleep quality—even in the midst of an unpredictable schedule. You'll also learn about foods and drinks that can either support or disrupt your sleep, helping you create a personalized strategy to feel more refreshed and balanced. Join us for this essential session to ensure your own well-being while continuing to provide the best care possible.

Self Care & Safety for Doulas

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Sleep is one of the biggest challenges for new parents, but with the right foundation, families can navigate newborn sleep with more confidence and ease. This workshop dives into the essentials of newborn sleep, equipping doulas with the knowledge and tools to support families in creating healthy sleep habits from the start.

We’ll explore safe sleep practices, newborn sleep patterns, and how to set realistic expectations for rest in those early months. You'll also learn strategies for managing newborn sleep with older siblings in the home, the critical link between sleep and postpartum mental health, and ways to support parents experiencing sleep deprivation and PPD. Plus, we’ll cover common newborn sleep struggles and how to prevent or address them before they become overwhelming.

Join us to strengthen your ability to guide families through the ever-evolving world of newborn sleep with confidence, compassion, and practical solutions.

Mental health is a key part of the doula’s role, whether supporting families in the joy and challenges of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, or guiding individuals and families through grief, loss, and end-of-life transitions. This panel will explore the spectrum of mental health challenges doulas may encounter across different stages of life, focusing on how to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to those experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health struggles.

From postpartum mental health to supporting those navigating the grief of loss or the process of dying, panelists will share their expertise on identifying mental health concerns, creating safe spaces for emotional expression, and utilizing strategies to empower clients through their journey. We will also discuss how doulas can navigate the complexities of mental health in their own lives, ensuring they provide the best support to clients without compromising their own well-being.

This panel is for doulas who wish to deepen their understanding of mental health, learn practical tools for supporting clients through mental health challenges, and explore ways to integrate mental health awareness into every stage of the doula care spectrum. Whether you are working with expectant parents, grieving families, or those at the end of life, understanding and supporting mental health is at the core of compassionate, holistic care.

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This workshop will focus on the balance doulas strive to maintain in their practice, while also acknowledging the importance of neutrality in supporting families without judgment or bias. We will explore neutrality, self worth, imposter syndrome, authenticity.

Doulas are an incredible role, one that can make such a difference in someone's birth experience before, during and after. However, as caregivers in such an impactful space, Doula's are like little sponges, taking in not only the energy of the space but often trauma. For many, they leave the birth having soaked up so much, sometimes not even knowing it or having the tools to drain it all out and go on to the next birth. This begins to compound and can lead to Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burnout symptoms. Attend the workshop to learn how to identify the difference between the three and create a plan to take good care of yourself because, as we know, the birthing community needs you! 

Disability is one of the most hidden forms of marginalization; it's easy for most of us who are able-bodied to overlook the privilege we have in how we move or how we relate to our bodies, and as such we live in a world that isn't always accessible to everyone. The same is true of neurodivergence - when considering conditions like Autism and ADHD, in what ways are birth practices and birth support frameworks inaccessible or exclusive to neurodivergent people, and why does this matter? 

Doula and midwifery care embraces the belief that how we give birth matters - from our experience during labour to early bonding, our relationship to our bodies, our bellies, and our babies changes how we see ourselves as parents. But what about the relationship to our brains? Autism and ADHD affect every aspect of a neurodivergent person's experience - from what and how they feed themselves to what situation create stress and fear. In this workshop, we will learn about common areas that we as care providers may overlook as being 'neuro-exclusive' and discuss ways to create a safer and more inclusive environment for neurodivergent birthers. 

Birth and death are sacred transitions, deeply rooted in ancestral knowledge and cultural traditions. This panel brings together Indigenous doulas and caregivers to share how they are reclaiming traditional practices in birth, death, and everything in between. Through storytelling and lived experience, we will explore the importance of ceremony, language, and community-centered care in supporting individuals and families. We’ll also discuss the impact of colonial systems on these sacred life events and how doulas are working to restore autonomy, connection, and healing through culturally grounded care.

Comfort Positions, Tips & Interactive Demo

Palliative care is more than just medical intervention—it’s about honoring the full spectrum of a person’s experience as they approach the end of life. This panel will explore a holistic approach to palliative care, shifting the focus from solely treating illness to truly supporting comfort, dignity, and autonomy. We’ll discuss the importance of bridging gaps between medical systems, families, and community care providers, while addressing cultural considerations that shape end-of-life experiences. Through meaningful conversations, we aim to reframe how we view palliative care, ensuring that individuals receive the support they need in ways that align with their values and wishes.

Conscious Collective Care - Creating your Postpartum Care Village

Conscious Collective Care, a transformative model designed to support those looking to build community when they don’t have any. This framework has been featured in Impossible Parenting by Olivia Scobie and Conceivable by Laine Halpern Zisman.

In this workshop, we will explore how to integrate queer theory and inclusive practices into your birthwork. Whether you’re a doula, midwife, or reproductive professional, this session will provide you with tools and insights to create more affirming, supportive, and accessible care for LGBTQIA+ clients. Participants will engage in discussions around gender diversity, language inclusivity, and strategies to challenge traditional birthwork norms. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to actively embrace queerness and advocate for marginalized families in the reproductive space.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a deeply personal and complex choice, yet access, understanding, and support for those considering it remain inconsistent. This panel will explore the realities of MAiD, including the role of end-of-life doulas in providing compassionate, nonjudgmental care. We will discuss the ethical considerations surrounding assisted dying, the unique grief and loss experiences of loved ones, and the systemic barriers that impact who can access this option. Join us for an open and thoughtful conversation on how we can better support individuals navigating MAiD with dignity, autonomy, and care.

Integrating Death doulaship into the Doula Spectrum

Doulas don’t just hold space—we challenge systems. Whether supporting birth, death, or the many transitions in between, our work exists at the intersection of human rights, systemic injustice, and deeply personal experiences. From abortion access and reproductive justice to harm reduction, medical aid in dying, gender-based violence, and the impacts of racism in healthcare, doulas are often on the frontlines of advocacy.

This panel will explore the unavoidable realities of doula work—the political landscapes we navigate, the ethical dilemmas we face, and the ways we can show up for those most impacted by systemic harm. How do we support bodily autonomy at birth and in death? How do we hold space while also fighting for change?

Join us for a powerful conversation on why doula work is activism, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is more than just a birth option—it’s a journey of reclaiming autonomy, healing after a cesarean, and challenging systemic barriers. Often reduced to success or failure, the VBAC conversation overlooks the emotional layers of this experience. This workshop shifts the focus to what truly matters: informed choice, self-advocacy, and feeling truly supported.

As doulas, we play a vital role in guiding clients through the complexities of VBAC, from the logistics to the emotional hurdles. In this session, we’ll explore:

• Validation in VBAC: How validating the emotional impact of a previous cesarean can support healing and empower clients.

• Bravery in Choice: Helping clients find the courage to challenge medical norms, advocate for their birth plans, and trust their own power—no matter how their birth unfolds.

• Autonomous Decision-Making: Supporting clients in making informed decisions that align with their values, rather than fear or external pressure.

This workshop is for doulas looking to better support VBAC families through the emotional journey, build confidence in difficult conversations, and strengthen their ability to guide clients through processing their birth stories. Join us for a deeper look into the power of choice and healing in the VBAC journey.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on how photography can capture and support the profound transitions families experience, from birth to death and everything in between. This panel will explore the powerful role that photography can play in doula work, preserving not only moments but also emotions, connections, and stories. From documenting the beauty and rawness of birth and postpartum to honoring memories during grief, loss, and end-of-life transitions, we'll explore how photography can be a tool for healing, remembrance, and emotional connection. Learn how doulas can incorporate photography into their practices to offer families lasting gifts that deepen their journey through both joyous and challenging times. Whether you're a doula looking to integrate photography into your care or someone curious about the intersection of visual storytelling, birth, death, and loss, this panel will provide valuable insights into using photography as a powerful tool in supporting families through life’s most significant transitions.

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“Death Work is Life Work” explores the profound connection between end-of-life care and the way we live each day. In this talk, I’ll share how embracing death work invites us to show up more fully, love more deeply, and find purpose in the moments that matter most.

True support extends beyond individual care—it thrives in community. This panel explores the power of collaboration in doula work, highlighting how collective care models can strengthen support systems, improve accessibility, and create lasting change.

Join us for a conversation on breaking down silos, fostering relationships between birth and death workers, and reimagining how we show up for our communities. Panelists will share insights on mutual aid, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the importance of lifting each other up in this work. Whether you’re a doula, caregiver, or advocate, this discussion will inspire new ways to build sustainable, inclusive, and deeply rooted support networks.