# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 08:45 am – Fri, 18 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Join us in 2026 for Doula Symposium: A Labor of Love, connecting hearts and hands in our community!About this EventSymposium8:45a-4:30pJoin doulas, healthcare professionals, community organizations, public health leaders, and advocates for two days of learning, collaboration, and connection focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes.What to ExpectInspiring keynote presentationsInteractive breakout sessionsDiscussions on maternal and infant health, birth equity, & family supportCommunity resource sharingProfessional networking opportunitiesWho Should AttendDoulas who are interested in learning about the process of becoming Medicaid contracted.TicketsPlease ONLY SELECT TWO SESSIONS PER DAY.Day 1 - 1 1:00am & 2:30pm sessionDay 2 - 1 1:00am & 1:15pm sessionAgendaComfort Measures for DoulasHost: Jodi Cunningham, PhDInfo: Presented by Jodi Cunningham, PhD, Certified Birth Doula, and Evidence Based Birth® Instructor This interactive and engaging 1-hour breakout session combines the latest evidence with hands-on practice to help doulas confidently use comfort measures during pregnancy and labor. Participants will explore the research, practice effective techniques, and discuss strategies for overcoming common barriers to providing comfort measures in a variety of birth settings.Implementing Trauma - Informed Care in Perinatal PracticeHost: Amy Rebekah (Chavez) BurkettInfo: This session will describe the six trauma informed care principles and unpack how to put them into practice in working with pregnancy, labor and birth support, and immediate postpartum. We will explore the science behind semantics and how to optimize safety and support for all birthing people, newborns, and care professionals. There will be time for Q &A discussion.Cultural HumilityHost: Dr. Meredith Shockley-SmithInfo: What would change if every Black woman and birthing person were treated as an expert on their own body? Cultural humility in maternal and infant health is not a checklist. It is an ongoing commitment to listen, examine power and bias, protect dignity, share decision-making, and remain accountable for both experiences and outcomes. In this keynote, Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith challenges healthcare leaders, clinicians, and community partners to stop treating Black identity as the risk factor and confront the systems and behaviors that produce inequity. The question is not, “What is wrong with this patient or community?” The question is, “What must we learn, change, and repair so that this family receives respectful, responsive, and safe care?” #CulturalHumility #BlackMaternalHealth #InfantHealth #HealthEquity #MaternalHealth #RespectfulCareHoney in the Birth Room: How to Effectively AdvocateHost: April KlineInfo: Advocacy in the birth room isn't about showing up ready for a fight it's about understanding the system, building relationships, and helping your clients be heard. In this session, we'll take an honest look at the realities of hospital-based maternity care: the layers of policies, protocols, supervisors, liability concerns, and competing priorities that shape the decisions of nurses, physicians, and other care providers. We'll explore why most clinicians aren't the enemy—they're often overworked, under-supported, and navigating a system that rarely rewards individualized care. We'll also discuss why the most effective advocacy often begins long before labor. By working upstream to prepare clients, build trust, encourage healthy pregnancies, and normalize the birth process, we can help more families have uncomplicated, "boring" births that require less crisis intervention and less confrontation.All Things Lactation: A Practical Guide for DoulasHost: Kim Kokladas NDTR, CLSInfo: This breakout session will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of lactation, combining foundational knowledge with practical, real-world application. Emphasis will be placed on supporting the whole individual, using effective counseling techniques, and navigating common breastfeeding challenges. The session is designed to equip doulas with the skills and confidence to support breastfeeding families, particularly those in high-risk communities, and aligns with the overall goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Learning Objectives · Identify common breastfeeding practices and trends, including misinformation seen on social media. · Apply client-centered counseling techniques to support breastfeeding individuals. · Recognize appropriate pumping practices and when to refer for additional lactation support. · Explain the role of WIC in breastfeeding support and community care.Doula Depletion: Recognizing, Preventing and Recovering from BurnoutHost: Denise Hayes-ThomasInfo: s doulas, we hold space for others through some of life's most vulnerable and transformative moments. While this work is deeply rewarding, the emotional, physical, and mental demands can lead to stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout if left unaddressed. This breakout session explores the signs and symptoms of doula depletion, the factors that contribute to burnout, and practical strategies for maintaining personal well-being while providing exceptional client care. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/dayton/2026-doula-symposium-a-labor-of-love/100001997484001419 - **Event Categories**: health-wellness, nonprofit, science-fair - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 7 hours 45 minutes - Location: 840 Germantown St - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Dayton - **state**: OH - **country**: United States - **location**: 840 Germantown St - **lat**: 39.7500631 - **long**: -84.20786989999999 - **full address**: 840 Germantown St, 840 Germantown Street, Dayton, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/906d7ce77b6cca1298f98bc1da6c9a07e039b0e970f903a62b8bf94ca3170575-rimg-w1200-h600-dcf8f8e8-gmir.jpg?v=1787164637 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love being held? - **A:** 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love takes place on Thu, 17 Sep, 2026 at 08:45 am to Fri, 18 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm at 840 Germantown St, 840 Germantown Street, Dayton, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love? - **A:** 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love is organized by Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 2026 Doula Symposium - A Labor of Love is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Dayton, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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