about the course

The course is hosted in a private proprietary network that is free from observation and censorship. You can access the course through the website on your computer or by accessing it through an app on your devices. You can study anywhere, anytime.

This course takes a deep dive into the causes and the solutions of birth-related trauma offering 65 professional education hours. You’ll learn from 93 topics taught over 9 learning modules backed by over 430 academic references.In addition to extensive fully researched content, there are 

• monthly live tutorials hosted right in the course
• monthly live study halls where participants connect on zoom to discuss tutorials, course content, and experiences in trauma-informed care
• 40 additional learning videos and podcasts
• 50 additional online reading resources
• downloads for your personal and professional use
• 16 self-care breaks
• 25 opportunities for reflection and professional growth
• 15 exercises to build your resources library for use with clients

You'll learn the different categories of trauma along with the signs and symptoms that your client or loved one may be suffering. You'll learn why 'mal-adaptive' behaviours are actually 'adaptive' behaviours and how to approach your client or loved one from a resilience-based perspective that affirms their coping strategies and builds on their ability to navigate and survive with growing wellness.You'll learn what defines a traumatic birth and those specific elements that contribute to it so you know exactly what you're looking for, what you're avoiding, and how you'll be approaching your clients.You'll learn specific trauma-informed practices that not only protect your client, but protect YOU. You will experience greater clinical accuracy, greater client participation in their health programme, and greater job satisfaction with less burnout.You will be introduced to several evidence-based healing modalities that can help you to recover from primary or secondary trauma, as well as to help guide your clients or loved ones onto a more effective path of recovery.

Fortunately, we don’t need to guess about birth-related trauma and trauma-informed care. There is a tremendous amount of research that has informed and shaped this course. This course is backed by over 430 academic references that come from multiple disciplines, including:

• medical, nursing, and midwifery research
• psychology
• sociology
• nutrition science
• military research
• genetics and epigenetics
• epidemeology
• complementary and alternative medicine

The course is offered in a sensitive and collaborative learning environment. Participants are invited to ask questions, share reflections, post their assignments for others to learn from, debrief experiences together, and engage in healing and wellness challenges. It’s a journey of learning new skills, letting go of old perspectives, and finding a new supportive community that cares about your success and wellbeing.

You can get started as soon as you register! Log in, set up your profile, perhaps introduce yourself, and get started. From there, it’s up to you how many hours a week you have to devote to this learning. You can go full-on, take a break, pace yourself, or work with a study-buddy. There are calendars to download to help keep you on track to complete the course within the time frame you set for yourself: 4 months, 6 months, or a year. 

All throughout the course there are numerous opportunities to connect with fellow learners to ask questions, share new insights, offer tips that are working for you, and support one another. You can initiate or join a discussion that is specific to your role, unpack a traumatic experience, or look for support or mentoring through a challenging situation, or share what's working for you as you recover from primary or vicarious trauma.

This is a research based approach to understanding the causes and cures for birth-related trauma wrapped inside a collaborative, interactive, and supportive community that cares about you and getting you the results you need.

“I feel this course offered flexibility with assignments and working at your own pace. It was very informative and something everyone would benefit in taking. This course will enhance one’s skills when interacting with clients.” — CINDY, GRADUATE

• Content Caution 
• Course Goals 
• Language 
• Keeping a Reflective Journal 
• Preparing a Resources Folder 
• Historical Perspective 
• Trauma: A Matter of Perception

• Trauma and the DSM-V 
• Symptoms of Trauma 
• Triggers 
• Partner Trauma 
• Defining the Mother's Experience 
• Secondary Wounding 
• Screening Tools

• Loss of Identity 
• Loss of Skills 
• Loss of Trust 
• Relationship Problems and Effects on Partners 
• Child Abuse and Neglect 
• Breastfeeding Failure or Success 
• Loss of Sexual Interest 
• Sleep Disturbances 
• Health Problems 
• Changes in Brain Structure and Function 
• Future Obstetric Problems 
• Suicide

• Being Female 
• A Mother with PTSD 
• Lacking a Support System 
• Cross Cultural Considerations 
• Adverse Childhood Experiences 
• Experiencing Intense or Long-Lasting Trauma 
• History of Abuse 
• Birth Anxiety 
• Other Medical Conditions 
• Nutritional Deficits

• Defining Obstetric Violence 
• Identifying Obstetric Violence 
• Medicalisation of Birth 
• Racism in Health Care Services 
• Informed Consent 
• Expecting a Negative Experience 
• Issues in Obstetric Violence 
• Trauma in Care Providers 
• Roadblocks to Change 
• Moral Courage 
• Agents of Change

• Fats 
• Carbohydrates 
• Proteins 
• Vitamins and Minerals 
• Gut Flora 
• Food Security and Social Disparities

• Options Available 
• Peer Support 
• Trauma Narratives and Narrative Therapy 
• Identifying Triggers 
• Redefining Boundaries 
• Oxytocin 
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing 
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 
• Cross Cultural Considerations 
• Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy 
• Improving Sleep 
• Yoga 
• Art Therapy 
• Music Therapy 
• Prayer and Meditation 
• Emerging From the Darkness

• Trauma Basics 
• Trauma Informed Principles 
• Applying Trauma Informed Principles in the Labour Ward 
• Safety 
• The Birth Plan 
• Arrival at the Delivery Ward 
• Consent & Declining Care 
• Trustworthiness & Transparency 
• Peer Support & Mutual Self-Help 
• Collaboration & Mutuality 
• Empowerment, Voice, & Choice 
• Cultural, Historical & Gender Issues 
• Physician Burnout 
• Midwife Burnout 
• Nurse Burnout 
• Organisational Strategies to Reduce Burnout 
• Doula Burnout 
• Resilience Training 
• Providing Empathetic Care 
• Trauma-Informed NICU 
• The Trauma-Informed Doula

• Unassisted Childbirth 
• Post-Traumatic Growth Through Childbirth 
• Preparing for Birth - The Reality 
• Conclusion

This course provides 65 professional education hours. Investing 5-10 hours a week on course content and assignments, you can expect to complete this course in 2-4 months. It’s entirely self-paced and up to you how much time you have to invest and when you would like to complete it. Our downloadable course calendars will help you meet your completion goals.

The cost includes everything with no additional or hidden fees: 

• $788 CAD
• $625 USD
• $856 AUD
• €550 EURO

There are no prerequisites. This course was written with the birth professional in mind. It may include technical language unfamiliar to the lay person but will not detract from the overall content and importance of this information. Any time you need help with a topic, just ask! It’s a collaborative learning environment where we’re all here to see each other succeed.

You can request a refund within 24 hours of registration. You will be removed from the course and your investment will be refunded less a $50 USD administrative fee. After 24 hours there is no refund. The course cannot be transferred to another person.

Yes. You’ll need to meet the course requirements for completion and when you’re ready, you can submit a request for a Certificate of Completion along with your final graduation assignment. Your final submission will be reviewed and if successful, you’ll be granted your Certificate and a badge you can display on your websites and other branding.

This course comprises 65 (60 minute) continuing professional development hours (CPD), sometimes called 'points' or 'credits'. Most midwifery, doula, and other professions' governing colleges or registration boards do not require that these hours be accredited by any particular organisation. Rather, the professional is required to record these educational hours and be able to provide proof of enrolment and completion. Please check with your profession's governing body in your country for information specific to you.

You’ll need to read through all the information as well as additional videos and links. It’s suggested that you participate in some of the discussions after assignments or post some of your completed assignments to get the most out of your learning experience. When you are ready, there is a Graduation Assignment to download and complete. This assignment consists of 4 questions that require thoughtful and reflective answers. Your answers will demonstrate your understanding of the course material and the skills you have developed as a result.

The course is hosted in a private network The Harrigan Hive. This network is free to join and hosts conversations about birth and trauma-informed care. The course is private and only accessible to those who have registered for the course. 

Yes! This course was written from an international perspective and has been taught to students on 4 continents (so far). It draws from research conducted in multiple countries, and considers cultural influences, disparities based on ethnicity, religion, and economics, and how the export of European-centric obstetrics has impacted birth outcomes worldwide.

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