MLD training for doulas and midwives
Manual Lymph Drainage techniques for the Pre- and Post-Natal periods
I have chosen to offer this workshop as most pregnant women experience swelling in the extremities, (i.e. hands/fingers and feet/ankles), especially from the beginning of the third trimester. In addition, most post-partum women will still have some swelling after the birth, up to about 6 weeks post-birth, or later.
Please note: the midwife or doula will only work within her Scope of Practice, and the abdomen is not touched at all.
What are the Advantages of this Workshop?
- The workshop furnishes you with the improved skills, knowledge, understanding and techniques necessary for using manual lymph drainage techniques on childbearing women. The workshop will cover the pre-natal and post-natal periods. The techniques will always be within the Scope of Practice of the doula. The abdomen is not touched at all.
- Imbues you with the necessary skills, and thereby confidence, to help you expand the delivery of exceptional, compassionate and client-orientated services you are offering your pre- and post-natal clients.
Certification
Manual Lymph Drainage Workshop – the broader perspective
Workshop Content
- Introduction to the educator
- The need for this specialized massage technique
- The role of the doula (this would take the form of a discussion between the trainer and the doula, where the trainer is given information about the doula’s role, based on the experience of the doula. In this way the trainer will be able to teach the doula the most appropriate techniques and the timing of using these techniques. This will thus help the doula to give her client the best possible care).
- Trends in pre-natal care (again this would be a discussion between the trainer and doula, in order to ascertain what the current trends are that the doula is dealing with). The purpose would, once again, be to ensure that the information passed between the trainer and doula are helpful in giving the client the most appropriate care.
- Indications and contra-indications
- Positioning and draping
- Alternative positions
- Focus for the three trimesters
- Post-natal MLD
- MLD techniques for the whole body excluding the abdomen. Note: The workshop is always tailored specifically to the needs of each particular group of students attending.
Dates
Duration
Class Size
Fees
Certification
Sunday 9 March 2025
4-6 hours
Minimum 2, maximum 4
2025 – R5800
A certificate of completion will be issued once the student has passed their written assignment and practical assessments (where applicable).
Designed to provide its students with a strong foundation of knowledge, insight and abilities as well as flexibility, this workshop covers the use of manual lymph drainage techniques used on both pregnant and post-partum women, who undergo structural, physiological and psychological changes.
The MLD method used is based on the Vodder (Manual Lymph Drainage) technique, with influences arising from the Casley-Smith Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) training in which the trainer is internationally certified. This has given the trainer a more in-depth and broader understanding of the lymphatic system.
The workshop will take approximately four hours to six hours. First, a theory lecture will be given as an introduction to the lymphatic system. Then, a demonstration by the trainer will be done, of certain, appropriate MLD techniques. Then each student will be supervised whilst doing these techniques on each other, or on the trainer, or assistant trainer. Each student will also get to experience some of the MLD techniques done on them by the trainer or assistant trainer.
What is the fee for this workshop?
The fee is R5800 per student, payable in full a month in advance of the training date. Full payment will secure the student’s place in the class.
