meet the instructors

Another way that our training is set apart from others is the invaluable opportunity to learn from FIVE phenomenal birth professionals! We believe in providing our trainees with a diverse and comprehensive learning experience. By having access to this wide array of experts, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge, insights, and techniques that are industry-leading, ensuring that you are prepared for any situation that may arise while supporting clients.

The Labor Doula Training is the brainchild of BDS owner Jennifer Lombardo and much of it will be instructed by Jen herself. Jen has been a labor and postpartum doula, educator, and birth photographer for 10 years and has created a successful, sustainable business while building a solid reputation within the birth community for the professionalism, compassion, and quality BDS offers. Jen’s extensive experience attending over 200 births of all sorts at every birth location in Buffalo is where the bulk of her knowledge stems from. Aside from running BDS, she is currently focusing on her birth photography and community education. She’s beyond excited to help educate and guide new doulas as they begin their new careers!

You’ll be delighted by labor doula extraordinaire, Meghan Warner, who is leading a hands-on lesson on physical comfort measures you can offer your clients during labor and the beauty of holding space with calm, quiet affirmations and emotional support. Meghan Warner is a DONA certified birth doula, ProDoula certified VBAC Specialist, and a Certified Lactation Counselor through Healthy Children Project. After an early retirement from her corporate job to stay home with her first born, Meghan fell in love with all things birth and supporting families in navigating the transformative experience of childbirth. Her approach to comfort measures and emotional support during labor seeks to support birthing people in all scenarios and birth goals in achieving a confident and calm birthing experience.

You should know that we’ll be covering some heavier topics such as supporting people through pregnancy and infant loss and abortion, and can think of absolutely no one better to guide you through these topics knowledgeably and supportively than Mary Badame. As the Family Planning Coordinator at UBMD OBGYN, Mary helps people navigate the healthcare system and provides support throughout a variety of reproductive experiences. She has worked as a full-spectrum doula, with additional training in mental health support during pregnancy and new parenthood, and also holds several volunteer positions with organizations fighting for reproductive justice. Mary believes in improved education, autonomy, and accessible evidence-based care.

No doula should be without a solid understanding of perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) so we asked Rhiannon Needham to lead the discussion. Rhiannon is currently in a doctoral program to become a clinical psychologist, where she will focus on perinatal and postpartum mental health. She has been in birth work since 2019, but her passion for reproductive health has been present in her life for much longer. Working on projects and education opportunities surrounding sexual health and reproductive education, her goal has always been for people to feel in control of their own bodies. She has attended multiple trainings and done mentorships associated with birth work aside from the courses that contributed to her certification. These trainings focused on specific areas of birth work such as fertility, abortion, loss, and more.

Marissa Bierl will blow your mind with a lesson in lactation and infant feeding. Marissa is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), which is the highest credential for lactation support professionals. She specializes in complex feeding issues and completed Tethered Oral Tissue specialty training in 2022. She is locally known as an expert in infant oral function and as a compassionate, respectful lactation consultant. Marissa is a self-proclaimed extrovert turned introvert, but get her in front of a bunch of parents-to-be or anyone in the birth community and her passion for lactation and oral function shines through. Marissa will discuss basic information around lactation and breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and more so you feel confident supporting a new parent as they latch their baby for the first time or wonder why they’re only pumping one ounce at a time.

training details

Investment

$850.00

($300.00 nonrefundable deposit due at time of registration, remaining balance due prior to May 24th)

Training Includes

• Access to our intimate, unique, info-packed 20 hour training

• A training manual packed with information, tips, and more

• Up to 3 months of email support following the training

• Certificate of Completion

• Payment plans are available

testimonials

“I attended Buffalo Doula Service’s birth doula training in January of 2024. I was extremely happy with the breadth of education I received from Jen, Meghan, Mary, Marissa and Rhiannon. These women were all extremely knowledgeable and I walked away from the training feeling equipped and excited to pursue a career as a doula. I loved how intimate the setting was and that I was able to get to know the attendees. They were even able to pivot quickly as a snow storm rolled in and we finished day 3 virtually on zoom! I would highly recommend BDS for birth doula training, birth and breastfeeding education classes, and doula services.” - H.D.

“I truly can’t say enough about the awesome experience I had at the BDS labor doula training. All of the instructors were professional, knew their stuff, and made their topics fun to learn. A big plus is the three months of email support with Jen… I thought of lots of questions after the training as it sunk in, and it was so helpful to have someone there to reach out to. I feel excited to start working as a doula, and the business basics portion on the last day of the training gave me the best starting point. Buffalo is lucky to have Buffalo Doula Services and I would definitely recommend this training to anyone who is interested in working as a doula.” - M.S.

are you ready to learn from buffalo’s best birth educators?

Register below! We are so excited to meet you, and guide you through the start of this journey.