A Doula's Guide to Understanding Every Trimester of Pregnancy: Anatomical & Physiological Changes
COMING IN 2023
Proudly offered by the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy
If you are a Doula or Midwife in training and would like to understand the mechanics and physiology of the bodily changes in your clients throughout all the trimesters of Pregnancy ... this online course is for you!
Each stage of Pregnancy creates its own challenges within the body of the future Birthmother. Learning what these adaptive changes are from a Biomechanical as well as Physiological perspective, knowing what to expect, and how Manual Therapists treat them is the key to offering well informed Post Partum Doula Services.
Why is this course valuable to PostPartum Doulas & Midwives?
By learning about the anatomical and physiological changes that take place within the body of pregnant client, you can better accompany her throughout each trimester of her pregnancy and even advise her when to consult with a Manual Therapist or Bodyworker to help minimize uncomfortable symptoms and help her progress into an easier, safer delivery.
Learning to work with your future Birthmother throughout her pregnancy, instead of waiting until after the Delivery to try to help her "fix" her symptoms is key to promoting and ensuring a healthier and safer natural delivery!
How the course works:
This is the first course in our new Doula & Midwife Training Series.
This course includes 10 hours of on-line learning with teaching in audio format, five twenty minute demonstration videos of manual therapy used during every trimester of pregnancy, valuable downloads to use in your Doula or Midwife practice in the future, and a quiz at the end of each chapter. Once you complete the course you are eligible to apply for a Certificate of Completion awarded by the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy for 15 CPD/CEU hours. If you are a manual therapist as well as a Doula or Midwife, this Certificate might be eligible for you to fulfill your annual CPDs/CEUs, or you might simply include it in your list of professional accomplishments and knowledge base when explaining your services to a potential client.
There are six chapters in total which discuss important considerations for every trimester of pregnancy, including post-partum. A new chapter is released each week but there is no deadline to complete this course. You can log in from anywhere at any time and learn.
Access the course for one full year
This course enrollment fee gives you complete access to this course for one full year, 365 days. That includes all of the demonstration videos that you can watch as many times as you like, listen to the audio lessons over and over, and downloads that you can use to enhance your Doula or Midwife practice!
Certificates of Completion:
This course is Part 1 of the five part course series and counts towards Certification offered by the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy
Have a question?
Email the Instructor or Registration Coordinator at
That's me, Maureen Hannah Maher, BA, DO I am an Osteopath with over fifteen years of clinical experience and I am the Educational Director for the Center for Continuing Education of Osteopathy . I have been priviledged to treat so many pregnant women throughout my career, as well as teach young emerging Osteopaths my unique treatment protocols for how to treat pregnant women throughout every trimester of pregnancy.
I created this series so that I might share my knowledge from a Biomechanical Perspective with Doulas & Midwives as well, since we are all working together to help our clients not just survive, but also thrive throughout this wondrous time ... Pregnancy!
Here are some of the eager feedback that we have received about this course series:
"As a massage therapist expanding into CST blending with doula this is a phenomenal opportunity for a training!! Just think of the opportunities of educating, fertility, postpartum, nervous system, deep vein thrombosis, pelvic pain, delivery!! Wow!! Osteopath is an amazing modality. My OB that delivered my surro-twins was an Osteopath, I loved discussing and learning from her just during my OB appointments!!"
"I have been actively doing research in this area to deepen my understanding of the physiological/mechanical changes that occur during pregnancy and during birth itself, as I agree that this knowledge would strengthen my capacity to support clients. I would value the opportunity to participate in the pilot launch of your online course and would be happy to provide feedback on my learning experience."
"I’m a new Doula I would like to start off on the right foot with the best education behind me:)"
"I'm looking forward to studying through your programs, it blends perfectly with my modalities and what I do. "
1st Trimester Introduction "The Initial Stage" of Pregnancy
Thinking preventatively during the 1st Trimester of Pregnancy
Reviewing Your Client's Health History during your 1st Interview
Explaining the Benefits of Bodywork to Your Client
Why learn about physical assessments of your 1st Trimester clients?
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Let look at a Physical Assessment of a Pregnant Woman
Summary after watching demonstration video
Are you ready to take the quiz?
QUIZ 1st Trimester "The Initial Phase"
2nd Trimester INTRODUCTION
How Hormonal Changes affect Body Alignment
The Structural Stage of Pregnancy from a Mechanical Perspective
Structural Changes of the Lumbar Spine
Structural Changes of the Thoracic Spine
The Structural Changes of the Head and Cervical Spine
Classic Pain Patterns you will find during the 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy
Patterns of Myofascial De-Compensation During the 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy
Introduction to Structural Treatment Demonstration Video
Summary after watching Video
Are you ready to take the quiz?
QUIZ Supporting your Client during her 2nd Trimester "The Structural Stage" NEW QUIZ
Maureen Hannah Maher