Demystifying Abortion Doula Support

Saturday, April 15, 2023
10 AM-11:30 AM (PT) • 11 AM-12:30 PM (MT) • Noon-1:30 PM (CT) • 1 PM-2:30 PM (ET) • 2 PM-3:30 PM (AT) • 2:30 PM-4 PM (NT)

Are you interested in providing practical abortion support?

This workshop will demystify abortion doula support by exploring what abortion doulas are, how they help navigate various barriers to abortion access, and how anyone can start supporting people who are having abortions. Whether you know a lot about abortion already or you’re just starting to get curious, the tips and resources shared will help you support abortion access in your community.  

Note: This is not abortion doula training but can be a step for those who are interested in pursuing further abortion training.

Speaker

Melissa Fuller (she/her) is an abortion doula and educator based in Toronto. Her work focuses on navigating the barriers and bridging the gaps that make abortion inaccessible. She currently coordinates an abortion support program and offers an abortion doula training at Birth Mark. Melissa has been sharing her passion for sexual and reproductive health for over a decade through her writing, workshops, and individual support. While completing her master’s in sexology at l’Université du Québec à Montréal, she became interested in social stigma as a barrier to accessing support. Using a qualitative approach to her thesis research, she witnessed the impact of holding a kind, non-directive space for participants to share their experiences and needs. Inspired to deepen her ability to hold this space, Melissa trained as a birth and abortion doula. She co-founded the Montreal Abortion Access Project (MAAP) and has since expanded her skills with training in pregnancy options counselling, sex & pregnancy support, pregnancy loss support, and grief literacy.