PROFESSIONAL TRAINING · ONLINE & SELF-PACED · 4 DONA CEUS
Applied Polyvagal Theory in Childbirth
Aligning the mind and body for birth™
A professional training for doulas, childbirth educators, prenatal yoga teachers, and perinatal clinicians. 4 hours of on-demand video with Erica Kroll, LPC, approved for 4 DONA International CEUs. Start anytime.
The course at a glance
Birth is an autonomic process. It unfolds through systems that work largely outside of conscious control.
Applied Polyvagal Theory in Childbirth is a professional training for doulas, childbirth educators, prenatal yoga teachers, and perinatal clinicians who want a clear, clinically grounded understanding of how nervous system regulation shapes birth.
The course translates polyvagal theory into practical, observable, and applicable skills for the birth room and classroom. The focus is on how autonomic state influences coping behaviors, labor progress, communication, and co-regulation. Participants learn to recognize nervous system patterns during labor, respond with appropriate support, and apply regulation strategies in ways that align with physiology.
THE LENS BEHIND THIS COURSE
Polyvagal theory in the birth room
Safety isn't just a feeling, it's a physiological state that changes how birth unfolds.
Polyvagal theory offers a framework for understanding how perceived safety and threat influence autonomic state, and how autonomic state influences behavior, connection, muscle tone, breath, and hormonal coordination.
When nervous system regulation supports connection and flexibility, labor often unfolds with greater coordination and adaptability. When stress responses dominate, people may experience increased tension, vigilance, disorganization, or difficulty accessing coping tools.
ORIGINAL NONA MODEL
Recognize, Respond, Regulate™
A structure for reading nervous system states during labor and choosing support that meets them.
ORIGINAL NONA MODEL
Rhythm, Receive, Rest™
An organizing structure for applying regulation strategies across the arc of labor.
Who this course is for
Doulas
Who want a neuroscience-informed lens for interpreting coping behaviors and supporting labor progress.
Childbirth educators
Seeking to integrate nervous system science into their curriculum.
Prenatal yoga teachers
Who want to deepen their understanding of regulation and co-regulation.
Perinatal mental health professionals
Working at the intersection of trauma and childbirth.
Birth professionals in complex settings
Interested in refining presence, pacing, and relational attunement in high-intensity situations.
The course assumes professional responsibility and critical thinking. No prior academic training in psychology or nervous system science is required; it is designed for professionals ready to engage theory in applied practice.
What this training covers
A structured, clinically responsible application of polyvagal theory to childbirth.
- Foundations of the autonomic nervous system and polyvagal theory
- Understanding resilience and adaptability
- Recognizing nervous system states during labor
- Mapping coping behaviors to autonomic patterns
- Co-regulation in the birth room
- Environmental and relational influences on perceived safety
- Trauma-informed and nervous system–informed communication
- Applying regulation strategies in real time
- Supporting recovery and postpartum integration
The course integrates original Nona models, including Recognize, Respond, Regulate™ and Rhythm, Receive, Rest™, as organizing structures for application.
How the course is structured
Eight learning modules, each building on the last, moving from foundational understanding to real-world application.
01
Foundations of polyvagal theory and autonomic regulation
02
Nervous system states and behavioral interpretation
03
Adaptability and resilience
04
Mixed states and complexity in labor
05
Co-regulation and support dynamics
06
Mind-body physiology in childbirth
07
Application to labor support skills
08
Integration into childbirth education and professional practice
What you will gain
A usable framework
A clear understanding of polyvagal theory as it relates to childbirth.
Sharper observation
The ability to observe and interpret nervous system patterns during labor.
Language for clients
Words for explaining regulation and co-regulation to clients and students.
Clarity on timing
When to intervene, when to reduce stimulation, and when to support rhythm and rest.
Confidence in complexity
Support for both physiologic birth and complex or dysregulated birth environments.
Integration
Nervous system science and relational birth support brought into one framework.
This course refines perception, timing, communication, and decision-making in support roles.
A NOTE ON HOW I USE POLYVAGAL THEORY
Evidence-based and professionally responsible
Polyvagal theory continues to be discussed and debated within neuroscience, particularly regarding its specific anatomical and evolutionary claims. Some recent critiques argue that overstating its mechanistic precision may be misleading. I take these discussions seriously.
In my work, polyvagal theory is used as an organizing framework rather than a definitive neuroanatomical map. It provides a vocabulary and structured way to organize and observe patterns of autonomic state, understand how cues of safety and threat influence physiology and behavior, and apply practical regulation skills in childbirth education and clinical settings.
I do not present the theory as a settled or exhaustive account of autonomic anatomy. Instead, I integrate it with broader research in psychophysiology, stress science, and interpersonal neurobiology. Its value in this context lies in its functional clarity: it helps learners recognize state shifts, build regulation skills, and support adaptive responses during birth.
Meet your instructor
ERICA KROLL, M.ED, LPC · E-RYT 200 · RPYT
Licensed perinatal therapist · prenatal yoga teacher trainer · retired doula
Erica Kroll is a licensed perinatal therapist, prenatal yoga teacher trainer, and retired doula with over 25 years of experience. Her work blends neuroscience, mindfulness, and mind-body birth education to equip professionals with tools that support safer, more connected birth experiences.
Press play to hear Erica introduce the course in her own words.
Tuition
One payment covers the full course, a year of community access, and your continuing education credits.
- 4 hours of on-demand video with Erica
- Downloadable notes, visual guides, and original models
- One year of community access and quarterly live Q&A calls
- Certificate of Completion plus 4 DONA International CEUs
FOR HOSPITALS, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND DOULA PROGRAMS
Applied Polyvagal Theory training for organizations
Hospitals, health departments, doula programs, and community organizations can enroll a team in Applied Polyvagal Theory in Childbirth together. When a group enrolls, the training runs as a cohort: your team moves through the material on a shared schedule, with live discussion sessions taught for your group. Group rates are available and depend on the size of your team.
Nona professional training has been provided for University of Missouri Women's & Children's Hospital, Burrell Behavioral Health, and the Boone and Callaway County Health Departments.
A 1 to 2 day in-person training can also be added for your group.
To explore training for your organization, email [email protected]. I'm happy to talk through what would fit your team.
Common questions
Do I need prior knowledge of polyvagal theory?
No prior knowledge is needed. The course provides detailed, easy to understand content about polyvagal theory and its main principles.
Can I get CEUs?
The course is eligible for 4 contact hours through DONA International. Many certifying organizations will translate DONA eligible contact hours for their recertification. Check yours!
How long do I have access?
You have access to the course, community forums, and quarterly Q&A calls with Erica for a full year, with the option to renew.
Are there downloads I can keep?
Yes! PDFs of lecture slides and models are available for you to download and keep.
Is the instructor available for support?
Yes! Erica offers group Q&A calls every 3 months, actively monitors the community for questions, and is available by email.
SELF-PACED · START TODAY
Bring the nervous system into your birth work
$225 · 4 DONA International CEUs · one year of community access
