Update on 2024 Workshops!
If you've been involved with birth work in recent years, no doubt you have encountered the peanut ball or, at the very least, the round "birth ball" also known as a gymnastic or yoga ball. Both are used to encourage active movement during labor and birth, supporting a wide variety of positions.
As Featured on VBAC Facts
Upcoming Workshops
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Memphis, TN (Collierville)
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Nashville, TN (Belle Meade)
Friday, March 8, 2024
Birmingham, AL
Rescheduled for Fall 2024 - Date TBA
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Montgomery, AL
Friday, March 15, 2024
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Register through the Doula Association of Alberta
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Register through the Doula Association of Alberta
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
New Orleans, LA (Metairie)
Super Early Bird discount window closes 4/30
TBA
Chattanooga, TN
Atlanta, GA
Long Beach, CA
Interested in bringing this workshop to your area? Contact me today and we'll start planning!
As an Authorized Peanut Ball Trainer, I bring comprehensive Peanut Ball Skills workshops to birth professionals everywhere, from Tennessee to Canada and beyond.
Birth Doulas, Childbirth Educators, Nurses, Midwives, and OBs will benefit from attending this continuing education event. Contact me today about hosting a training for your team. Private group and travel rates are available upon request.
This event is approved for 6 continuing education contact hours through DONA International, approval code #940.
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I recently attended Heidi's peanut ball workshop in Nashville, and I must say, my initial skepticism was quickly replaced with genuine enthusiasm. Being quite familiar with various peanut ball positions and pelvic biomechanics, I questioned how much more I could gain from the workshop.
However, from the moment I stepped in, it became evident that this was a worthwhile investment. Not only did I acquire new insights into the versatile uses of the peanut ball, but the real gem was being in the presence of Heidi and soaking in her wealth of birth wisdom.
Learning from someone with her depth of experience was truly priceless. Even if you think you know it all, Heidi's workshop proves there's always more to glean and discover. Highly recommended!
Amanda G.
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Heidi’s Positioning for Success: Unlocking the Potential of the Peanut Ball class was so eye opening! I learned basic positioning in my doula certification that was foundational and has certainly served me well. However, this class totally took it up a notch!
The Peanut Ball has a never ending amount of party tricks and knowing how to use it correctly - is the confidence I needed. I feel more than prepared, confident, and excited to take the information I learned into future birth settings and help my clients achieve the best birth outcomes possible.
I am so thankful to Heidi for hosting this class and for her inviting teaching style. I will definitely be joining her again for future teachings on other topics!
Brittany W.
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I was so excited to finally attend the Peanut Ball Workshop! I had signed up before and then the Pandemic happened, so I was not able to attend. The training that I received was way more extensive and detailed than I imagined.
I was thinking, "How can we learn so much about a peanut ball to need 6 hours?!" Boy, was I wrong! We needed all of that time and maybe could have used even more.
Heidi is very skilled and brought so much knowledge that I left fully equipped and eager to put my training to use immediately!!
Kimathi C.
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I just had to come and let you all know what amazing person Heidi Duncan is. I went to her peanut ball workshop call on June 10, 2023. This is a must class for all doulas and birth workers. You should not miss this class it's very hands on and she teaches so much about the peanut ball.
I definitely loved when she let us try how the different techniques feel on the ball. I never thought to try the different exercise out myself. Heidi, definitely made me look at every position different now. I will look for more of her classes in the future for refreshers as I am a birth doula and postpartum doula.
Nakishia F.
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Took the Peanut Ball Workshop with Heidi this weekend in Nashville. Incredibly informational, every bit of what she taught can be used in every single setting as a Labor Doula.
Heidi was very sweet and accommodating to me since I flew in from Atlanta. Definitely worth the trip. I’d take a class with her anytime.
Lauren S.
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I met Heidi professionally almost five years ago. I’ve learned in that time frame that her knowledge and passion for birth is endless! When I discovered she was teaching workshops to other birth professionals, I knew I had to enroll in a class.
I attended her Peanut Ball Workshop at the beginning of the year and was not disappointed! I left more knowledgeable and confident in using the Peanut ball with my own clients. Heidi presents the information and demonstrates techniques in a way that makes it easy to understand and remember.
If you’re thinking about attending one of her workshops, quit thinking about it and go for it!! You won’t be disappointed.
Kim W.
What if I told you there was a nursing intervention that was affordable and easy-to-implement that would improve patient satisfaction and improve labor outcomes, including reducing cesarean rates? Too good to be true? Not at all.
Enter the peanut ball.
This uniquely shaped physical therapy ball has become a favorite tool among labor support professionals in recent years. You may already have peanut balls available in your L&D unit, but have your staff been trained in how to properly select a peanut ball size according to patient needs? Have they done more than watch videos to learn positions, even the best of which fail to fully convey the body mechanics at work?
Bring your team up to speed in 2024 by bringing the Peanut Ball Skills training to your hospital, birth center, nursing staff, midwifery team or doula group!
Positioning for Success: Unlocking the Potential of the Peanut Ball
Presented by Heidi Duncan, Authorized Peanut Ball Trainer
IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS HAVE RETURNED!
Peanut balls originated in physical therapy settings but are now widely used as a birth support tool.
How many peanut ball positions do you think there are? Do you know why and when to use them?
New content and expanded format for 2023-2024! Get beyond simple side-lying and "the pretzel" during this workshop. Learn the many uses without an epidural as well as with one. (Yes, it's useful for home birth, too!) Understand how to select the proper size ball for the person and position. And much more!
This is an interactive learning experience with opportunities for return demonstration and skills check-off throughout the event. You'll leave with both physical practice and logical principles to guide your future use of the ball in every situation.
Overview
In the 6-hour Comprehensive Workshop, you will learn when and why to use the peanut ball, safety guidelines, Essential positions for laboring in and out of bed, posture cues, and keys for remembering the positions. You will then build upon the Essentials with another 15-20 Advanced positions for your toolkit, including those based on birth biomechanics principles working with fetal station and positions. AND SO MUCH MORE!
- Recall essential factors of safe peanut ball use
- Determine the appropriate size of peanut ball to use relative to the birthing person’s body proportions
- Choose the appropriate size of peanut ball to use relative to the position
- Differentiate peanut ball positions to use for each level of fetal descent (inlet, mid-pelvis, outlet)
- Discuss ways to add movement to otherwise stationary peanut ball positions
- Identify peanut ball positions useful for special circumstances such as asynclitism, OP, breech
- Discuss strategies for energy conservation using the peanut ball in labor and postpartum
FAQs
- This event is approved for 6 continuing education contact hours through DONA International, approval code #940
- A limited number of equity seats will be available for BIPOC birth workers. Contact me for details.
- If you select WAITLIST for an event, I'll be in touch when registration opens and you can pay your fee at that time. Please be sure your email is correct!
- If you have questions, contact me at info@expectingnewlife.com.
Refund policy:
Full refunds will be available for up to 14 days before the event. Requests made fewer than 14 days prior to the event will be subject to a $50 non-refundable processing fee. Tickets may be transferred to other attendees or to future workshops. Eligible refunds will be processed within 30 days of the scheduled event date. If the event is canceled, registrants will be contacted via the email address and phone numbers they provided when paying the workshop fee online and will be issued a full refund.