Our mission is to assure that all families are given the opportunity to receive the highest quality doula support and education regarding childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting.

Steps to join us

All Shiphrah’s Circle doulas are required to have received foundational doula training via SMC consulting vist their web site www.shafiamonroe.com for emails on the next oakland training and registration information.

You are free to begin meeting with us at our weekly gatherings on Tuesday nights 7-9pm. We met at the Oakland Peace Center , 111 Fairmount avenue, Oakland, CA in the patio room.

At our meetings you will meet our fantastic team of doulas and have the opportunity to begin practical training , you can begin to see clients , along with a senior doula and begin to learn #doulalife!

You must commit to taking the SMC Full Circle Birth Companion Doula training within 2 years of joining us.

Your participation in the circle will assist you in meeting the requirements for SMC Certification.

Need help paying for your training? Talk to director Samsarah Morgan regarding possible fundraising 

Support.

In exchange for your work with our circle you will receive training and mentorship. All trainings directly taught by founder, Samsarah Morgan are offered free of charge to Shiphrah’s Circle Doulas. Trainings offered by other instructors may be offered on a sliding scale sliding scale - this is on a class by class basis.

Upon completion of 2 years of service and completion of all required classes , passing the required examination, and serving 10 birth clients you will be eligible to the certification as a Certified Community Birthworker by Oakland Better Birth Foundation (info on certified community Birthworker program). You are welcome to continue to work as part of the circle as long as you wish and as long as you fulfill the requirements of membership .

Certified through another organization?

It will be our pleasure to assist you in meeting the requirements for any other doula program. It is still highly recommended that you take SMC Full Circle birth companion doula training within 2 years of joining us. This is recommended because SMC offers the most culturally competent Bithworker education in this and honors the memory of the 20th century African American Gramidwives whose skill delivered safely children of the American south, both white and black until their care was outlawed.

These skills and connection to ancestral healing are more important todays than ever before !

Circle member obligations:

• Attend Tuesday night practice meetings .
• Table at community events produced by Oakland Better Birth Foundation and other community events which promote doula care and holistic birth.
• Complete SMC Full Circle Birth Companion Doula Training within 2 years.
• Attend all the training offered through the Certified a Community Birthworker Program and complete those requirements.
• Represent at all times the honorable birth worker profession and honor the memory of the Grand Midwives in every moment of your professional life and your life as a community member . We walk in mighty footsteps !

Shiphrah and her assistant Puah served women during the time of the Old Testament . The Bible says that Shiphrah’s was commanded to tell pharaoh when the Hebrew babies were born - so that he could have them killed, they artfully refused! We honor them !