Common Questions
You do not have to have a professional background to take the Eat Pray Doula Retreat, but should have the following: fascination with pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn babies; a desire to work with women or couples during this most meaningful and demanding time in their lives; emotional maturity, stamina, and reliability.
There are no DONA Doula Trainings that will provide you with certification at the end of the workshop/retreat. Our DONA Gentle Birth Doula retreat fulfills 2 of the requirements of certification – an Introduction to Childbirth, DONA Doula Workshop. Beyond those, you will need to take an online breastfeeding course, additional reading, attend births, do some writing and create a resource list. Only our Birth Doula Retreat is a pathway to certification though, so please keep that in mind as you decide between our Advanced Retreat and Birth Doula Retreat.
After the retreat, you will begin doing independent/self-study to finalize your certification, including attending births. A requirement of DONA Doula Certification is that you attend at least 3 births as a doula and document those experiences for certification.
From experience we’ve found that doula trainings are incredible – inspirational, educational and full of sisterhood. BUT they are short! 3 days just feels too quick, and most of the time everyone wishes it could be longer and more immersive. You do learn so much in a “typical” workshop, and we encourage you to take one if you can’t attend Eat Pray Doula – but the retreat atmosphere is something that just can’t be replicated.Sisterhood – replenishment – self-care – connection – deep immersion – delicious food – daily yoga – gorgeous scenery – culture – love.
Each day you’ll have the opportunity for morning yoga and breakfast, the workshop, lunch together, opportunities for swimming at the retreat center pool, evenings together connecting with your new found sisterhood, time to take walks, explore and grab dinner together – it’s like nothing else.
Absolutely! You are welcome to book your own accommodations and have your family join you in Bali. The retreat is less if you stay offsite, and your welcome to include your family in the Welcome Dinner and Celebration Dinner for a small additional fee. Non-mobile babies can join you at the retreat each day, but mobile children will need a care-taker so that you can fully engage in the retreat. Small children are welcome to come by during the training to snuggle and nurse as needed.
When purchasing your flight to Bali, you will be flying into Denpasar airport (country code DPS).
Once you book your retreat, you’ll receive a number of forms to fill out letting us know when you’ll be arriving in Bali. We are happy to arrange aiport pick up for you. You will pay the driver directly, and they will bring you to Peace Kitchen or the location of your choosing.
Please check here to determine if you live in a country which requires a visa upon arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months Indonesia will NOT allow you into the country and your airline will NOT let you on the plane. If your passport is due to expire in 6 months or less, please have it renewed before coming
If you are traveling from outside Indonesia, you will require a passport. Please be sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your departure date. Indonesia will not allow you into the country and your airline will not let you on the plane, if your passport is due to expire in 6 months or less, please check and have it renewed before coming if necessary.
There are currently no travel warnings for Bali, but you can check for current travel warnings. Bali is a small island province of Indonesia and the country’s most popular tourist destination. The Balinese tend to be kind and helpful people. As for safety in the streets, there is very little violent crime in Bali, especially in Ubud. As a traveler you must take common sense precautions against petty crime, just as you would in any tourist resort.
Our welcome dinner takes place on the first day of the retreat in the evening. You are welcome to check in to Peace Kitchen anytime after 2PM, or let us know when you will be arriving so that we can make early arrival arrangements.
You may want to arrive a day or so early, so you can adjust to the time difference. We welcome early arrivals at Peace Kitchen for an additional fee, or you can stay locally at Villa Sonia, Bali Spirit or search for an Air B&B in Nyuh Kuning.
If you prefer to stay near the beach, the Village of Sanur is lovely and not far from the airport.
The last evening of our retreat is our celebration dinner – we’d love to have you join us! Many leave the retreat after the dinner, or the next morning depending on flight times. If you choose to stay in the area to site see, there are many wonderful things to do with your new doula sisters or your family.
If you book the retreat with accommodations, you’ll be staying at the retreat hOMe, Peace Kitchen. Peace Kitchen is located in Nyuh Kuning. The exact location will be sent after registration.
Once our retreat rooms fill, we will recommend our overflow participants book at Villa Sonia, located within walking distance.
Be prepared to be hot! The average temperature during the day is 84 with occasional brief rainstorms.
Bumi Sehat appreciates your wishes to volunteer as a doula. Unfortunately, the county has restrictions on foreign volunteer doulas. Bumi Sehat does have a non-doula volunteer program. Learn more HERE.
Want to help in another way? More than anything, the birth center is in need of financial support. If you are an organizer and can put together a fundraiser in your local community to raise funds for Bumi Sehat, that would be amazing!
It is hot outside during the day and a bit cooler in the evening. Bring light clothing in natural breathable materials and layers. When you arrive in Bali, you will have ample opportunities to shop for any clothes which you may need/want in order to help acclimate to the difference in climate. There is GREAT shopping in Bali!
Be advised that if you want to go to a temple you will need a blouse or shirt to cover your shoulders and a sash and sarong, which you can purchase in Bali. The Balinese welcome you to their temple festivals but you must dress properly.
Summer clothing is perfectly appropriate for classes.
You will need an electrical converter available at drug stores or office supply shops.
Please bring a reusable water bottle and refill with filtered water. The water in Bali is unsafe for tourists to drink or brush teeth unfiltered.
Most restaurants catering to westerners use bottled water for all cooking purposes. There is ample bottled water available all over the island and at all small food shops and convenience stores.
You will be traveling in a civilized, built up area. Your doctor may suggest all kinds of vaccinations for traveling in the jungle. Please impress upon your provider that you are staying in nice resorts and eating at good restaurants and discuss the question.
There are plenty of international medical clinics near the clinic. These clinics usually do not accept health insurance, but they do not cost much. Should you need specialized care in an emergency, you would be evacuated to Singapore. We require you purchase travel insurance.
There are pharmacies in Bali that have most common drugs, such as antibiotics, anti diarrhea, cold and flu remedies. If you are on a prescription, you need to bring enough for your trip. Make sure they are in pharmacy bottles with your doctor’s name on the label. Be sure to bring any and all natural remedies you like to have on hand.
The easiest way to access money in Ubud is via the ATM or to bring cash (large bills have better exchange rates) and exchange it at the airport, bank or authorized money exchangers. Banking hours are usually from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Friday and until 1:00 pm Saturday.
Please be sure to exchange enough money to pay your driver upon arrival as you will be responsible for their fee + gratuity.
Prior to your trip, please tell your bank and credit card companies the dates that you will be in Bali, as they may cut off your funds for fraud protection if they don’t know you are using your cards in a foreign country.
PLEASE NOTE:
Using a credit card or traveler’s checks for purchases is almost impossible anywhere in the village or in Ubud except in hotels and larger establishments. Be sure you travel with sufficient funds in your bank account to be able to access them via ATM. Your other alternative is to have money sent via Western Union to numerous locations in Ubud.
You can easily stay for about $100 per day. This includes housing, meals, local transportation, and some spending money.
During the retreat, breakfast and lunch is included each day, so you will only need money for dinner, shopping and attractions.