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About Sierra Childbirth Institute
SCI
30+ Years of Educating Birth Professionals
Sierra Childbirth Institute
Blending Modern Science with Instinctual Wisdom
Sierra Childbirth Institute was founded in 2002 by seasoned birth professional Janine Maitri. Named after the stunning Sierra mountains, where Janine relocated from the California Bay Area, SCI is a continuation of the Peninsula Birth Connection, an education and resource center she established in Palo Alto, CA, in 1994. The center, now known as Blossom Birth & Family Services, still serves Bay Area communities today.
Since beginning her career in 1982, Janine has been passionate about transforming the experience of childbirth in the U.S. She started as a childbirth educator, birth assistant, and advocate, actively contributing to the evolution of the doula profession from its inception. For 40 years, Janine has been on a mission to raise awareness about the instinctual nature of birth.
After two decades of training doulas across various locations, Janine moved to Sacramento, CA, in 2019 to establish a permanent school for birth professionals. With a dedicated team of instructors and supportive staff, Sierra Childbirth Institute offers doula training workshops and continuing education to aspiring and established birth professionals worldwide.
Reach out to Sierra Childbirth Institute
Do you have questions about becoming a birth professional? Are you looking for a doula or childbirth educator? Send us a message. We look forward to hearing from you.
Meet Your Instructors
The instructors at Sierra Childbirth Institute bring decades of expertise to their teaching, covering essential topics such as doula support, childbirth education, postpartum care, breastfeeding, and business development. Our birth and postpartum doula workshops, along with many of our continuing education classes, are approved for DONA International doula certification and offer continuing education credits.
Click on our names for full bios.
Janine Maitri
Founding Director at SCI | DONA-approved Birth Doula Trainer
Brooklyn Gonzales
RN, BSN, IBCLC
Kavisa Wood
BS, IBCLC
Sierra Childbirth Institute is Different
Evidence Based Doula Training
DONA Approved Doula Workshop
Our in-person and online doula workshops meet all the requirements to become a DONA certified Doula.
In-Person & Online Doula Training
Varying options to meet the needs of busy schedules! 3 days, 5 days or 10 week online programs.
Holistic & Evidence Based
We combine modern sciences with ancient wisdom to offer a uniquely holistic experience.
Doula Mentoring & Coaching
Mentoring and support to birth and postpartum doulas at any stage of their journey.
