Annual Perinatal Professionals Retreat

June 1-3, 2027

Essex Woods Retreat Center

Essex, MA

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Our “Why”

For so many of us, being a birthworker isn't simply profession - it's a fundamental part of who we are, our identity, our lens and how we move through many of our relationships even in our personal lives.

And that's why it is so important we tend to our ourselves - our "client care, our self-care, our business care".

This retreat is just a few days, and we know that what's best for ourselves, our clients, our communities is to be protective of our sustainability year 'round. But in the company of community, in the clarity & freedom of nature, we can thoughtfully consider how we prioritize finding & reassessing balance in the midst of growth.

Why should you attend the Annual Perinatal Professionals Retreat hosted by The Lemon Grove?

Client Care

Spend 3 days in an idyllic setting, surrounded by other birthworkers. Together you will learn, grow, reflect, and relax.

Breakout sessions aim to enrich your experience as a perinatal professional. Sessions will focus on various aspects of birth work including prenatal and fertility care, birth support, postpartum care, and beyond.

At the conclusion of this retreat, you will feel re-invigorated in your practice as a perinatal professional, ready to support clients and families with renewed passion for birth work.

Self Care

Hot tubs. Fire circles. Nourishing meals. Forest bathing. Restorative yoga. Need we say more?

To best serve your clients, you need to serve yourself too. Fill your cup alongside other passionate birthworkers as you engage in restorative, reflective, and relaxing practices to give back to yourself.

Birthwork is not without its challenges. Surround yourself with other perinatal professionals who understand. Self-care sessions at the retreat aim to help birthworkers reduce burnout and create sustainable practices in our community.

Business Care

Birthworkers are SO passionate about helping our clients. But let’s be honest, how passionate are you about health of your business?

Marketing, taxes, SEO, websites, interviewing, client acquisition, contracts, third-party payors, insurance, client management systems, oh my!

There is so much to learn when launching your own business as a perinatal professional. Let us help guide you in breakout sessions focusing on business health, growth, and sustainability.

Breakout Session Topics

This 3-day retreat will feature breakout sessions focusing on a variety of topics focusing on perinatal work, business, and self-care.

Examples of topics (past and present) include:

Financial Planning & Money Management
Babywearing
Supporting Lactation
Sustainable Caring for the Doula’s Body
Goal Setting & Vision Boarding
SEO, Marketing, & Systems
Yoga & Mindfulness
Massage and Bodywork
Interviewing & Onboarding

Meet the Speakers & Workshop Hosts

More amazing speakers to be announced soon!
Beth Castantini

“Rainy Day” Financial Planning
Kerry Rondeau

Fire Circle Guide
Marissa Hathaway

FOUNDER & OWNER - The Lemon Grove
Full Spectrum Doula, Doula Instructor, Childbirth Educator, Spinning Babies Parent Educator, & Photographer
Tia Middleton

Finding, Following, & Protecting Your Activism

Frequently Asked Questions

All breakout sessions, food, parking, self-care treatments, and lodging, as well as a vibrant WhatsApp community thread.
The Lemon Grove strives to make this retreat accessible and offers payment plans and Afterpay.
Our retreat is intentionally curated to focus on supporting the perinatal professional. Focus is on all facets of this important work including birthworker education, business health, self-care.

We welcome all perinatal professionals! Including - birth & postpartum doulas, perinatal mental health counselors & therapists, pelvic floor therapists, childbirth educators, parent coaches, midwives, obstetricians, RNs, and more.
We would love that! If you’re interested in sharing a room with your birthworker bestie, send us a message and we’ll make it happen!
Comfortable clothing, bathing suit, sneakers, yoga mat and accessories (blocks, straps, etc.), and an outfit for new professional headshots.
We also recommend packing a curious mind, open heart, and adventurous spirit!

What People Are Saying

“I attended the doula retreat that The Lemon Grove hosted at Essex Woods and it was everything I needed to fill my cup and feel inspired about my business. Though I’m an IBCLC and not a doula, all the topics covered were so helpful for my own practice. The team at The Lemon Grove created such a nurturing environment to share, learn and explore ways to enhance our offerings and business practices. The retreat had the perfect balance of education, relaxation and bonding. Highly recommend to any perinatal practitioners craving a space to recharge and reinvigorate their professional goals!”

— Aarani, IBCLC

“I had the honor of speaking at the 2026 Doula Retreat hosted by The Lemon Grove. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how beautiful and peaceful the location was. It created the perfect environment for connection, learning, and reflection.

I also had the opportunity to connect with fellow perinatal professionals from all across New England. Being from southwestern New Hampshire, many of these individuals were people I had previously only connected with through social media, so putting faces to names was incredibly rewarding.

The retreat was thoughtfully planned, with each topic offering valuable knowledge and meaningful lived experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share education around doula support and feeding support for families with multiples. It was truly an inspiring experience, and I left feeling thankful for the connections made and the knowledge shared.”

— Ashley, doula, IBCLC, placenta specialist

“I'm a doula at The Lemon Grove and recently attended the retreat as Essex Woods. I wanted to come on here to rave about the speakers and experiences!

Something I have always valued is being a "lifelong learner" and this retreat allowed for just that! It was so nice to partner and network with other doulas and perinatal professionals about goals and sustainability. It was interesting to hear about others' experiences and how they approach them differently and sharing how I have gone about similar things.

I also want to put some emphasis on how great it was to hear from others in the perinatal realm such as IBCLCs and a physical therapist. This allowed me to both feel confident in my current knowledge and opened doors to other skills and techniques I can use in birth/postpartum support for me AND my clients!

In addition to learning, we got some R&R time which was just lovely. I feel so lucky to have found The Lemon Grove and can't wait to be a part of the next great thing!”

— Sarah, birth & postpartum doula

“The perinatal professionals retreat hosted by The Lemon Grove was everything I hoped it would be. I really enjoyed the various breakout sessions on so many relevant topics from enhancing my doula skills, to self-care and self-connection, to financial literacy, and more. I love to learn, and this retreat was the perfect balance of education and relaxation. Marissa H at The Lemon Grove thoughtfully planned and curated a fantastic experience, complete with really special touches like fireside s’mores, gorgeous floral arrangements, and epic swag bags!

I loved the opportunity to connect and engage with other doulas and perinatal professionals in a relaxing, nature-filled setting. Even in the times outside of structured breakout sessions, I found that being around other birthworkers and engaging in conversations was so stimulating and helped to reinvigorate me in my work.

I also had the unique experience of being both an attendee and a presenter! It was so much fun to share my knowledge about cloth diapering and babywearing with such an engaged group of birthworkers. I am so grateful to have been part of this amazing retreat experience! I can’t wait to attend again next year.”

— Alyssa, doula & babywearing educator