[color=green]I took part in the May 2008 workshop. It was a very intense weekend! [/color]

[color=green]It was very well organized. They kept to the schedule as best as possible with the tons of questions from us eager doula trainees.[/color]

[color=green]Elaine has been a doula for many years and has been the trainer for most of the doulas in the Calgary area and is a like a mother doula to all of her trainees. She was joined by two of her former trainees who are now doula trainers, Jennifer McGuire and Shari Gorman. [/color]

[color=green]Jennifer has been a practicing doula since 2002 and is a partner in Hip Mamas Doula services.[/color]

[color=green]Shari has been a practicing doula since 2000 and is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in Prenatal and Postpartum massage therapy care and owner of Calgary Family Safety and Wellness Inc. [/color]

[color=green]All three women have a passionate about birth and this passion is infectious. [/color]

[color=green]With their combined birth experience and additional complementary knowledge, these three women presented a very informative and educational workshop. We had a lot of information to cover in a short period of time but the trainers did an excellent job of keeping us all on topic while answering every ones questions. They played some very enjoyable and informative videos. I wish there had been more time to discuss the business side of the doula business but with so much to cover it just was not possible. Each trainee received a very well put together binder to keep that contains a ton of information on all aspects of the doula life and business. All three of the trainers were very approachable and welcomed any questions not only during the workshop but also during the breaks and before and after each morning. An added bonus was the option to attend a diner out on the Saturday evening. Everyone enjoyed networking during the breaks and the evening diner out and we received a contact list with all of the workshop attendee’s information on it the last day.[/color]

[color=green]Overall, I would highly recommend taking an Elmont Birth Services workshop if you are in the area. I felt really empowered and bursting with ideas after the course! Oh, I also love how they tried to instill in us a trust in ourselves that we will know what to do in the moment and that the skills and knowledge we have will have a positive effect on the mother and the new family.[/color]

[color=green][color=black][color=green]The conference facility ([/color]FCJ CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE)[/color][color=green] where the workshop was held is an excellent intimate facility where the food service is always excellent and the staffs are friendly. [/color][/color]

[color=green]Oh and the only reason I did not give the workshop perfect 10s is because I feel no matter how great there is always some room for improvement.[/color]

It sounds like you had an awesome training experience that opened wonderful networking opportunities for you! Thanks for sharing your review with us!

I trained with Elaine and Jennifer as well. They really are awesome. What I found most valuable is how approachable they both are, and that they have no problem with me calling them with any questions after the workshop! Their experience and reassurance is invaluable!