Do you have a passion for helping birthing women and their families? Our next Labor Support Course for Birth Doulas begins August 4. Read more>

Course schedule

Birth Doula Training

Postpartum Doula Training

Childbirth Educator Training

Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation

Birth Doula Trainer Course

Other Simkin School Courses

Registration Policies

Financial Assistance

Lodging/Visitor Info

Simkin School Faculty

Home > The Simkin School

The Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations

With the first Labor Support Course in 1988, Seattle Midwifery School began offering premiere programs to train birth doulas, postpartum doulas, and lactation and childbirth educators. More than 5,400 birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth educators and lactation educators have received training and inspiration through these programs.

The Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations was named in honor of Penny Simkin in 2008 and celebrates her 40 years in the field of childbirth.

In line with the mission of educating leaders, our early Labor Support Course graduates founded PALS Doulas, a professional organization providing peer support, continuing education, doula certification, and referrals. Following PALS’ success, doulas around the country joined together to found DONA International. SMS was the first organization to be granted DONA institutional approval for our curriculum and faculty.

If you dream of serving women and families through any of these key childbirth professions, the Simkin Center will give you the training you need to make your dream a reality!

NOTE: All courses are held at Seattle Midwifery School on the Talaris campus unless otherwise noted. Directions.