Doula UK Approved Courses

“I have had the most amazing time on the Developing Doulas course. I definitely think my soul needed this. I can see that this will truly change my life and how I interact with others. I have left this course feeling informed and supported and with a team of women that I can confide in. You are amazing and I feel very fortunate to have met you.”

The Course and the Community

The Developing Doulas course was born in 2008 out of a passionate desire to provide nurturing, community-based support through the transition to doula work. We are called Developing Doulas because we recognise that this role is one of lifelong learning. When we relish this ongoing development we prevent ego getting in the way of our belief that it is our clients who are the experts.

A wealth of research supports the beneficial effects of doula support and so we are committed to increasing the number of doulas in the world and by that, changing the lives of countless families.

But we also know that many doulas do not continue this work. It can be hard, emotional and lonely. So we strive to provide a safe, brave space for Developing Doulas to grow within a nurturing community. Regular online coffee mornings, Companionship (our in-house mentoring system) and dedicated, private online spaces to build friendships and collaborations providing you with the knowledge that there is always someone there to support you.

Our community is supported by our guiding principles, that we call The 7 Cs and our panel of patrons.

The quickest way to get a sense of how it feels to become a doula and join our community is to watch our short film. 

Our Founders, Facilitators and Curriculum

Developing Doulas was founded by Maddie McMahon – experienced doula, doula mentor, breastfeeding counsellor and author of ‘Why Doulas Matter’ and ‘Why Mothering Matters’ With a background in teaching and then two decades of doula experience, Maddie has written a course and gathered together a team of facilitators that share her ethos and who are all extremely experienced doulas. We have a proven track record helping hundreds of people follow their dream to become a doula.

❁ Five full days or the online courses with shorter zoom sessions spread over a month.

✾ Three full days if you choose our Specialist Postpartum Doula Course

❁A loving, informal atmosphere designed to help you ‘find the doula within’ in a small, intimate group of maximum 12 participants

✾ Courses round the UK facilitated by experienced doulas and Breastfeeding Counsellors

❁ All course participants get lifetime access to our substantial online course manual consisting of written materials, videos and audio recordings

✾Practical skills for birth and postpartum doulas – learning to ‘mother the mother’ by listening, holding the space and supporting informed decision-making

❁ Time to debrief and explore your own experiences, share and give and receive support within the group

✾ Explore the role of the doula and what it means to you, your family and the wider community

❁ Support and information on setting up and getting going as a doula.

✾ One to one sessions at the end of the course to reflect on the course and your future as a doula

❁ A set of guiding principles - our '7Cs' to support you on your journey

✾ Extend your learning and personal growth and benefit your community with the post-course project and our varied opportunities for additional learning.

❁ Certificate of completion

✾ Opportunities for ongoing learning and development of knowledge and skills through Developing Doulas workshops and work-from-home courses

❁ Cut price business, marketing and website support available to DD members and discounted access to our Doulavation course which widens and deepens the learning from your preparation course

✾ Our own Patreon platform where we can gather away from the noise of social media to share information, learn and develop our skills

❁ The Pam Lacey Award is for women who aspire to support breastfeeding mothers in their community. This awards 15% off the course fees.

✾ If you come from a marginalised group and wish to become a doula to support your community and need help to finance the course, please do talk to us.

❁ Payment in instalments welcome.

✾ Book a call to ask questions: developingdoulas.co.uk/book-call

Red Tent Doulas offers a comprehensive, trauma-informed doula training grounded in traditional midwifery, birth education, and postpartum care. Led by Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall (click the link to check out her adventures on instagram) and the Red Tent family team the course blends ancient wisdom with modern practices, covering birth support, breastfeeding, menstrual health, and emotional well-being. The program includes deep trauma work and emphasizes culturally sensitive and non-clinical care. Graduates join a supportive, global network of doulas working to empower women and improve birth outcomes. Changing the environment the families live in with activism, learning from elders, falling in love. Flexible learning options and post-course mentoring available.

Click through and read more about us on our website - even better check out our instagram @redtentdoulacollective

Our mission: To nourish and empower the local community by training a new generation of confident and mindful doulas.

Doulas NI are committed to promoting and supporting equality, diversity and inclusivity.
We believe the doula world should be as rich and varied as society is, and as our potential
clients and the families we work with are.

Join our comprehensive doula 6-month training program designed to create trauma-informed doulas capable of providing culturally safe care.