Journey to Being a Doula

Since the formation of our network, there has been much discussion amongst doulas and those who run doula courses on the issues of how long a doula "training" course should take. The simple answer to that is, forever! The problem with the word and the concept of "training" gives rise to a sense that to become a doula one gets trained and then off we go. It is not like that; to be a doula is to be a traveller, to embark on a journey and along the road the doula meets up with other travellers who are mothers and they and the doula continue their life journey. The doula role, we believe, is a way of "being" not "doing". A "training" implies completion and it is not useful to believe that a woman can attend a weekend or a two or three day workshop or training course and believe that she is a doula. Doulas are learners, they are explorers, they are guides, friends, sharers, it goes on and on. Without an open approach to self development and human growth it is impossible to be available to help and empower others. Top of the list for any doula education must be a deep concentration and focus on self awareness and any woman entering the profession is required to spend a lot of time reflecting.

That said, as doulas we recognise that it is essential that we are in some way or another seen to be regulated. It is useful for doulas themselves to come under the umbrella of a professional body and that is why Doula UK came into being. For this reason over 2002/2003 we worked with the trainers of the courses listed on our site at that time, to introduce a "recognition process" for doulas in the UK, whereby they attain a certain level of "experience" as a doula in order to be "recognised doulas". This recognition process came into effect in January 2004.

This process involves doulas who are newly registered supplying documentation to support their experience as a doula and training (with one of Doula UK's recognised courses)and to undergo a 1-1 interview with an assessor. Records of 4 doula jobs are submitted for review by an assessor. Following "recognition", it is then understood by members of Doula UK that they should follow up with ongoing workshop attendance and self-learning.

The doula courses listed on the following pages are ones that share the Philosophy and core curriculum of Doula UK. However, we are also working with other trainers and assessing them for inclusion so that we can provide details of a wide range of doula courses available in the UK. The information in these pages is provided in good faith for those wishing to embark upon the journey to become a doula.

Our thanks to Pam Adams for the wonderful way she expresses what it is to be a doula and for her kind permission to reproduce some of her words above......