BADT’s 2020 Year End Wrap-Up

Rituals of reflection and celebration are an important part of birthwork AND a crucial part of community. After a birth, we sit with the birthing family and hold space as they reflect on their experience. After supporting someone through loss, we connect with another birthworker to process. After we connect a family with resources, we check in to see how things are going.  After working on a big project or training together (we see y’all getting SO close to certification!), we pause to give ourselves credit. And so on.

The end of the calendar year offers an opportunity to review the growth and change of this past year, as well as plant seeds for continued transformation. In this difficult and intense year, BADT has created and contributed to the vision we hold for our future-- one that centers reproductive justice for all birthing people and their families. All of this work we have done together as the BADT community deserves to be reflected on and celebrated.

Hi yes hello… also - YES - 2020 was a Y-E-A-R.

2020 At A Glance

  • Full-Spectrum Doula Training: We had the honor of working with 617 of students, in 3 cohorts, in our Full-Spectrum Doula Training during 2020. This expansive, 12-week online training provides doula education for all stages of a birthing person's life. This training is a good fit for both new and experienced doulas, and it offers a deep dive into the vast topics under the reproductive justice umbrella. 

  • Childbirth Educator Training: 249 students joined us in our first cohort of Childbirth Education Training. The BADT 12-week online Childbirth Educator Training gives doulas and educators the knowledge and tools necessary to provide inclusive, trauma-informed, comprehensive, and evidence-based education to birthing people in their communities.

Of our 866 students in our 2020 12-week training programs, 322 were scholarship students!

  • Racism & Privilege in Birth Work Part I: 154 students took this prerecorded training in 2020. Additionally, Sabia, our Founder, taught private, live trainings in hospitals and other organizational settings. This 4-week online course supports birth professionals in any role in understanding racism and privilege and its effects in birth work. Students learn several tools and processes to create change in the birth community.

  • Doula Business Essentials: In 2020, 44 students joined us for this prerecorded course, and ALL of our Full-Spectrum Doula and Childbirth Education students benefitted from this extended business offering.  Our 6-week online course equips doulas with six essentials to building a successful doula business - Mindset, Clarity, Research, Community, Marketing, and Action, and supports doulas in building sustainable offerings for their communities. 

  • The BADT Blog: We launch our blog as a place for learning, growing, and expanding our mission.

  • BADT apparel: Birth workers near and far are sporting our values when they show up to support clients and serve in their communities. Check out our t-shirts, hoodies, fanny packs, and more!

  • BADT forms: Doulas can start or shift their birth practice with confidence using our Birth Doula Forms. These forms are inclusive, trauma informed, easy to download and personalize with your own logo, if you'd like. Additionally, our Birth Basics Forms Package includes 16 educational PDFs to assist you and your clients in understanding the basics of birth.

Looking Forward to 2021

Reclaiming Our Bodies Virtual Retreat

We are starting 2021 with deep intention. Our Reclaiming Our Bodies Virtual Retreat is a unique way for students and community members near and far to connect and BE together on January 9th and 10th. This is for EVERY BODY, not just doulas and birthworkers. 

Sessions include healing breathwork and movement and discussions on topics like lifestyle design, purity culture, sex, and gender - all through the lens of our theme, “Reclaiming Our Bodies.”

Tickets are available at three price tiers, including a FREE access pass. Find out more and grab your ticket here.


Birth and Disability

This upcoming course is taught through the lens of Disability Justice by Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, of Project LETS. In alignment with BADT’s core value of accessibility, this offering will explore abelism, models of disability, visible and invisible disabilities, concerns of disabled pregnant people, and so many other rich and necessary aspects at the intersection of disability and reproductive justices. 

Birth and Disability starts in February and features 4 weeks of live lessons + pre-recorded videos, written materials, and resource lists Learn more and sign up here!

Racism & Privilege in Birthwork Part II

In January, birth professionals in any role can join us for a continuation of Racism & Privilege in Birthwork. It is recommended, but not required, that you have taken Racism & Privilege in Birthwork Part I prior to enrolling; however, we do recommend this course for folks who are somewhat familiar with the intersections of race and birthwork. Enrollment is included in the All-Access Pass for Reclaiming Our Bodies: An Inclusive Digital Experience. The All-Access Retreat Pass is only $129, and Racism & Privilege Part II is $199 on its own, which you can learn more about and purchase here

BADT Directory

We are so excited to support pregnant and birthing people (as well as folks moving through conception and loss) in connecting with full-spectrum doulas through our BADT Directory! “Find a doula” here!

BADT Blog

In 2021, we look forward to growing our blog resources. We’ll feature BADT teachers and guest writers and cover a wide range of reproductive justice-focused topics. Stay tuned!

Literally… So Much More

In 2021 we are looking forward to launching our BADT Membership (and our own app!). We have SIX new courses planned for 2021, and tons of opportunities for workshops and webinars in addition to those courses. Want to be the first to know what we are up to and when enrollment opens for our new offerings? Retreat attendees will get access to our 2021 course catalog and know all the deets before anyone else!

Join Us in Advocacy Work

Thank you for joining us in reflecting on this year and for helping us nurture the seeds we are planting for 2021. BADT is emerging and transforming in community and because of all of the beautiful and special ways you all show up. We would be honored to share space and continue advocacy work with you in 2021 and beyond. 


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Reclaiming Our Bodies, Retreat Wrap Up and Celebration: Coming Together in Community

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