List of Doula UK Approved Courses

Younique Postnatal

Details:

• 3 day courses offered across the UK, facilitated by two experienced postnatal doulas in small groups
• Preparation work before and after the course to include reflection, reading and research
• Time to debrief and explore your own birth, postnatal and infant feeding experiences in a safe environment
• Lively and interactive learning, with visual aids, group work, hands on experience and practice exercises
• In depth exploration of the postnatal doula role and how best to support new families and new mothers
• Evidence based information on current guidelines and areas of research in postnatal care
• Supporting infant feeding as a postnatal doula run by a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor
• Establishing yourself as a business, marketing, networking and exploring how you might begin to get work
• Support and information on starting your doula journey, joining Doula UK, support services for doulas and the Doula UK Recognition Process
• Extensive manual supplied covering all course topics and up-to-date resource links, which you can add to and develop
• Certificate of Completion
• One to One follow up feedback call
• Opportunities for extra support from one of the course facilitators
• Closed Facebook group – a safe place to get support from other postnatal doulas
• Additional courses and workshops offered to develop your doula skills including Postnatal Development Courses, Understanding Newborns and Multiples Workshops

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Conscious Birthing

Details:

• Courses facilitated by traditional Doulas, each with over 20 years experience.
• Five day intensive courses in Cornwall, Glastonbury, London, Brighton and abroad, some with residential options. Groups can contact us directly for courses in their location.
• An invitation to join the Conscious Birthing Network and receive peer support online and personal support from one of our tutors.
• Fun, informative and multi-media, within a rich, relaxed learning environment.
• Small, confidential groups, creating a mutually supportive and in-depth approach.
• Highlighting the traditional role of birthkeeper/doula and reflecting on this grassroots path within a modern day context.
• Exploring the value of presence in a fast moving world, and developing tools for conscious, active listening.
• An opportunity to begin to reflect on our own pregnancy, birth and postpartum stories within a safe space, gently held by tutors and co-supported by each individual within the group: creating an opportunity to both practise the art of support during birth debriefing, an essential doula skill, to begin to lovingly unpack your own story and to experience the gift of being deeply heard.
• A truly holistic approach, including all medical and alternative models: waterbirth, homebirth, birth centre, hospital, assisted, freebirth and early parenting choices all covered, alongside the protocols and expectations within the institution of maternal care, with the focus on informed choice.
• Exploring human rights within the childbearing year: looking at ways in which to incorporate our human rights into a birth plan, to inform your families of these when making their informed choices and discussing ways in which to communicate human rights to midwives and consultants.
• Including a session on ‘Tools for Self-Reliance’: a fun, physical and informative journey, learning the practise of some ancient skills from around the world, to facilitate the empowerment of women during this sacred rite of passage.
• Integrated and in-depth inclusion of how to support and empower fathers/partners-to-be and to work alongside all potential companions during labour and birth.
• Guidance on working alongside healthcare professionals with grace whilst retaining clear boundaries as an advocate for your family-to-be.
• Looking at loss: a discussion on the many ways in which families can potentially experience loss, such as loss of expectation, or through miscarriage or stillbirth, and including signposting for us to pass on and peer support for us to lean on.
• Postnatal session: learn about breastfeeding, explore the essential need for postpartum care and discuss the notion of a postnatal plan.
• Experience a pop-up residential community of Birthworkers-to-be: a unique opportunity to spend time together in an informal setting, allowing for deeper reflection on the role, sharing questions, ideas and skills, alongside your tutors. Time for relaxation, massage from top practitioners, swimming and spending time in the sun (when abroad or in British Summertime) with the emphasis on connecting with nature and experiencing the power of self-nurture: initiating the value of ongoing self-care and peer support within our field. An invitation to delve more deeply into this lay tradition, whilst retreating from your everyday life.
• Advice and guidance for setting up and ethically marketing your Doula practice, including a step-by-step talk through the Doula UK recognition process, on finding a Mentor, the code of conduct, various schemes available and how both Doula UK’s and your own expectations might be met.
• Useful home research, networking and reflective reference pack, with guidance for signposting.
  Certificate of attendance upon completion.
• Home study post course work pack, with plenty of time to complete in your own time and with full tutor support.
  Online recommended reading list.
• Access to an extensive lending library (when courses held in Glastonbury).
• Options for further training. (This course is a foundation for Conscious Birthing’s Childbirth Educator/Antenatal teacher programme). Back to top

BirthBliss Aspiring Doula Foundation Course

Details:

BirthBliss is a forward-thinking organisation that strives to empower women, families and caregivers in the childbearing years, through education, support and inspiration. BirthBliss has a professional panel of advisers, is a member of the European Doula Network and is also registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP).

About the course:

• Four day course face-to-face plus access to further online learning
• Small groups for maximum support and learning
• Home study pre-course module
• Birth completion session to explore and understand your own experiences
• Master doula classes and practical doula labs
• Full day dedicated to Infant Feeding support
• Comprehensive module on running your own doula business
• Focusing on the doula spirit and how to ‘be’ a doula authentic to who you are
• Invaluable doula handbook packed with information
• Reflective post-course module
• Attendance Certificate on completion
• One-to-one follow up support call and on-going support
• Membership to private Facebook group
• Monthly LIVE sessions featuring different topics
• Access to ‘Members only’ area full of resources and business documentation
• Doula Starter Kit with essentials to set you up for a good beginning
• Free listing on BirthBliss Doulas Register
• Discounts on BirthBliss study days
• Payments by instalments available
• Course facilitated by award winning doula and author

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Birthing Wisdom

Details:

A journey of transformation, a flexible career, a path of service… the slow & soulful way.
There are now many doula preparation courses available, of different lengths and approaches.

Why choose to prepare with Birthing Wisdom?

The Birthing Wisdom Fundamentals has been the most comprehensive and holistic doula
preparation course in the UK for over 15 years. It has been revised and updated every year to
include the latest development in the field and to respond to the feedback from students and
trainers.

Our approach:

The doula role is as much about being as doing: The essence of our work as Birth companions/
doulas is to be able to provide unconditional emotional openness and support to women, men and their babies. So having and/or developing the ability to be emotionally present and supportive is at the core of our preparation and our work.

Our holistic approach also includes a focus on self-development, self-awareness and profound
self-care as the basis for sustainably supporting others. This process cannot be fast-tracked. While most courses will train you quicker, ours is the slow and soulful way, taking place over 9 months, and combining 6 home study modules, 6 live calls with at
least 10 days of live workshops.

“The last year learning with Olivia has surely been a year of landing in myself to understand,
absorb, and integrate beautiful and meaningful birthing wisdom. We have looked at the inner and outer dimensions of birth, the baby’s journey, the mothers journey, antenatal, postnatal, the traumatic, the ecstatic, the medical and the natural. It has been more than learning the theory and doing some role play: it has been a comprehensive journey of self development and discovery where I have come to know myself, babies, women and mothers in a much more deeper holistic way. This I believe equips me to ‘meet what I meet with confidence’ when working with clients and their own unique birthing experience.” – Laura

Format and practicalities

• 9 months course with 6 home study modules, 6 live calls and 10 days for hands on practice and to anchor the info from the modules (one weekend and 2×4 day sessions). Affordable accommodation available on site.
• Course facilitated by a team of very experienced doulas and professionals
• Small, supportive and confidential groups for best learning and support
• On-going telephone, email support and mentoring with one of our facilitators
• 6 Live Skype/Zoom calls
• Membership of private Facebook/what’s app group, for support and sharing
• Easy payment scheme and one assisted place available.

Curriculum

• A unique programme created by Olivia Seck- the result of two decades of experience as a doula, holistic birth and hypnobirthing teacher, coach/counsellor and mother of four, and of her on-going learning with pioneers in the field of birth, pre/perinatal psychology and trauma healing
• A holistic course, offering both scientific and traditional knowledge in an exploration of the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural aspect of pregnancy, birth and the first year
• The art and the skills of ‘being’ with another, open and resourced: presence, listening skills, mindfulness for self-compassion, boundaries, exploring beliefs and judgement, self-awareness and self-care…
• The art and the skills of appropriate action: a holistic understanding of the labour & birth process, and practical tools to empower and support effectively…
• Use of our unique and highly effective protocols to transform fear and stress and prevent birth trauma.
• How to work harmoniously within the birthing team whilst keeping our primary responsibility to the family we are supporting. Empowering and supporting fathers
• How to deal with the unexpected, including loss 50% of the course is devoted to our holistic approach to the all important postpartum period, including planning and preparing for the 4th trimester, bonding, breastfeeding, sleeping, crying, postnatal depression and birth trauma awareness, food and care for mamas, the father’s role and more…
• Sign posting: when and where to refer
• An opportunity to debrief our birth and breastfeeding experience in a safe and held space, using energy medicine tools to enable deep healing
• Marketing and setting up your doula practice module.

On completion:

• Beautiful Certificate and our support for a term (your 4th trimester) whilst you start establishing your doula practice.
• Guidance and support to join Doula UK and find a Mentor for your first four births.
• The opportunity to attend Birthing Wisdom Gatherings for on-going learning, sharing, fun and support.
• Access to and discount on advanced courses.

It will be a wonderful journey! It is always such a gift to sit in circle with women and deepen our connection to ourselves and each other.

“Whereever I am, what ever I am doing, however I am feeling, I only need to close my eyes or gaze off into the distance and I connect with the beauty, warmth, laughter, support and endless love of the women I shared my Birthing Wisdom journey with”. – Deb

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Every Birth Matters

Details:

This three day preparation course will lay the foundations for you to work competently as a doula.  Bringing the knowledge and skills you have now, time will be spent exploring different topics to begin building the foundations for your work as birth and postnatal doula. This is an opportunity for you to understand the role of a doula, how you can work as a doula and for you to begin thinking about what you can offer a mother and her family depending on their needs.  We will explore working alongside healthcare professionals to enhance the care given to the birthing mother. I have been teaching for over twelve years and so I have designed this course to take us through a range of activities that will meet your learning needs. All you need to do is be willing, open minded and have a passion for wanting to nurture women and their families through pregnancy, labour and parenting. Be prepared to go on a journey of discovery and self-actualisation. We create a safe space that immediately gets you interacting and acknowledging the amazing work Doulas do.

What is the course structure?

Pre-course assignment ~ this gives you the opportunity for some reflective practice, and to
build on your knowledge and skills with a fully comprehensive assignment that consists of
questions that will enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your post course work. This research task also allows you to practice your research skills. Prior to the course there will be a one hour online discussion where we can introduce ourselves.

Three day workshop ~ the workshop is action packed with a range of activities where you will have time to think and reflect as well as work with the other supportive delegates discussing, reflecting, questioning and exploring the birthing world and why women want to hire a doula? All the course content covers the Doula UK curriculum and more. You will have the opportunity to write a learning journal and action set points for your journey as a doula after the course finishes. The days will run 9.30am to 6pm (later on the second evening).

Post coursework ~ after three full days of exploration and self-discovery, you might want to take a few days to digest. Then when you are ready you can begin your post course assignments. There are seven tasks altogether which I encourage you to take time digesting and preparing. These assignments will give you further self-acknowledgement about how you can work as a doula as well as expanding further on the birth world that surrounds you as a doula. It creates an opportunity for networking and beginning your work with your first client, through which you will be supported. Every delegate will receive written and verbal feedback.

What will you receive?

• Full support from me throughout you working as a doula
• Course that meets the core curriculum content for Doula UK
• Comprehensive Resource File
• Handouts on the course
• Online resources via the Every Birth Matters website
• Online support in a private Every Birth Matters Forum with other doulas and educators
• Comprehensive student discount on insurance so you can begin your practice
• Access to various E-books such as Ina May Gaskin, Solution Focused Therapy plus many more
• 10% of further CPD courses
• Further online 90 minute Breastfeeding Class that you can share with your clients
• Free Listing on my website (name, business name, email, phone number and website)
• Further discounts of other partnering services.

All delegates will receive an Every Birth Matters bag with goodies to use yourself and with your
clients. Once you have received your doula certification you can register as a member of Doula UK and begin the mentoring program. Please note on occasion this course will run as a residential ~ please contact me to discuss this.
Please check the Every Birth Matters website for up and coming dates.
If you want this course to come to an area near you please get in touch to discuss your
requirements ~ discounted course available for host of a course.
Any questions please do ask.

Confidence ~ Empower ~ Knowledge

Red Tent Courses

Details:

• 1 woman-centred interactive weekend session with Nicola Goodall (Edinburgh/London) or Hannah Robertson (York)
•  Woman-led self-study module
• To develop a woman’s awareness in her own belief system
• To foster a supportive environment for a woman to start the journey of debriefing her own experiences
• To inspire confidence in the role of a Doula and Midwife and discuss boundaries
• Encouraging a good knowledge base around gentle birth and parenting also exploring birth art and journaling
• To explore the nature of the relationships that play a part in a woman’s transition to motherhood
• To empower new doulas to set up their own business and ethically work as part of a wider network of doulas
• With a focus on cultural competency
• To develop an awareness of personal boundaries and base of values. Special attention on telling the womans own story and self-care.
• Support throughout the course and ongoing from the facilitators and the rest of the Red Tent community including membership to a very supportive closed Facebook group
• Certificate of attendance and completion
• Payment options available
• Strong emphasis on building circles of women
• Small groups for enhanced learning

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Nurturing Birth

Details:

Nurturing Birth offers three doula training courses for anyone wishing to become a birth and/or postnatal doula. Our aim at Nurturing Birth is to introduce people to the doula role, look at antenatal preparation, birth and postnatal support, nurture doulas through their journey and empower them to go out and support families with confidence. The doula courses are held in comfortable, homely environments providing safe spaces in which to explore experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenting.

The Intensive Course is our shorter course – a perfect introduction to the world of doulaing.  Our Expansive Course is ideal if you know that being a doula is the right path for you – the course is a combination of online learning, face-to-face time with a course facilitator and one-to-one mentoring throughout.  Our Social Distancing Course is a combination of the Intensive and Expansive courses, hosted online, with additional support from our mentoring team.

All doulas taking a Nurturing Birth will get:

• Nurturing Birth Doula logos to put on websites and other promotional materials
• A comprehensive manual full of evidence-based research and information to support you in starting your doula journey
• A free listing on the international Nurturing Birth Directory
• Discounted options on some of our CPD courses
• Invitation to a secret Facebook group where you can get support from our warm, welcoming network of Nurturing Birth doulas across the globe
• Invitations to Nurturing Birth doula gatherings
• A quarterly e-newsletter with up-to-date research, information, CPD options and support
• The well-respected position of being a Nurturing Birth doula

What you can expect from the Social Distancing course:

• 5 days spent on Zoom sessions with two experienced working doula/facilitators looking at the doula role, debriefing experiences and meeting like-minded people
• Reflective work to be completed in advance of the course
• Preparation for the course – exploring beliefs, feelings and knowledge around pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Work to be submitted to the Course Facilitators at least one week before the course start date.
• Online learning platform – introduction to topics in advance of the group sessions
• Learn from more than 15 guest specialists via online modules created specifically for the Nurturing Birth courses
• Six months to complete a post-course module
• One-to-one session with your Doula Facilitator after the course (via phone or Skype) to discuss your situation, expectations, fears and challenges going forward
• One 60-90 minute mentoring session with your chosen mentor from our team
• Nurturing Birth Social Distancing Course Certificate on completion of the course and home study modules to the satisfaction of the Course Facilitator

What you can expect from the Intensive course:

• 4 consecutive days spent with an experienced working doula/facilitator looking at the doula role, debriefing experiences and meeting like-minded people
• Reflective work to be completed in advance of the four days together
• Preparation for the course – exploring beliefs, feelings and knowledge around pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Work to be submitted to the Course Facilitator at least one week before the course start date.
• One 60-90 minute mentoring session with your chosen mentor from our team
• One-to-one session with your Doula Facilitator after the course (via phone or Skype) to discuss your situation, expectations, fears and challenges going forward
• Six months to complete a post-course module
• Nurturing Birth Intensive Course Certificate on completion of the course and home study modules to the satisfaction of the Course Facilitator
• Option to purchase the online content of the Expansive Course on completion of Nurturing Birth Intensive Course

What you can expect from the Expansive course:

• Three 2-day gatherings across 4 months with an experienced working doula with a focus for each group gathering on the doula role in birth, postnatal and business/self-care
• Reflective work to be completed in advance of each group gathering, as well as after
• Preparation for the course – exploring beliefs, feelings and knowledge around pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.  Modules to be completed online in advance of each group gathering
• Online learning – introduction to topics in advance of the group sessions
• Learn from more than 15 guest specialists via online modules created specifically for the Nurturing Birth course
• Mentoring from the start of your course with your chosen mentor – 5 dedicated sessions supporting you through your course and as you start your business
• Full practice doula interview with your mentor with discussion and feedback afterwards
• One year to complete all the online course modules
• Nurturing Birth Expansive Course Certificate on completion of the course and home study modules to the satisfaction of the Course Facilitator
• Secret Facebook group available from six weeks prior to the first group gathering up to six months after completion of the group work with weekly contact from your Course Facilitator, opportunities to share and ask for support

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NCT Doula

Details:

The NCT Doula programme enables successful candidates to practice as NCT Doulas. NCT Doulas work as independent practitioners. Although they are part of the NCT family and featured on the website, they book her own clients and set their own fees.

The nine-month long training course is made up of two modules:

• Dimensions of the role of the doula
• Realising the role of the doula.

It involves;

• four weekend training sessions in Worcester
• monthly telephone tutorials
• 24-hour midwifery observation
• video and role play learning and reflection
• a supervised birth
• support from other doulas.

More about the training;

• The tutors are experienced doulas and NCT practitioners
• There are two summative assessments (an essay and an interactive session)
• The training is highly experiential and sessions are held in a mock hospital ward
• There are lots of clinical materials that students get a chance to familiarise themselves with. There is also access to the University’s library and other facilities.

The NCT Doula modules are offered at Level 5 as a part of the NCT specialist practitioner Foundation Degree called Birth and Beyond. It is offered in collaboration with the University of Worcester.

If you are not already an NCT practitioner then you can join the ‘Access to NCT Training Course‘ which is run over three months to give you the skills and knowledge to study at Level 5.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded your NCT License to Practice

As an NCT Doula there is ongoing support in the form of supervision, yahoo groups, study days, and a personalised NCT webpage.

Continuum Doula

Details:

Our 5-day course has a full Core Curriculum alongside an exciting workshop every afternoon with other birth professionals. You will feel comfortable, nurtured and held over the week and a catered lunch is provided for your ease.

Continuum Doulas are critical thinkers, attachment aware, trauma informed & deeply committed to offering an in-depth, sustainable model of Doulaing into the community. The continuum model offers continuity of carer to the parents and deep satisfaction for the Doula.

Throughout the course Continuum Doulas will:

·        Understand the role of the Doula – and how the Continuum Doula model differs.

·        Embed the core conditions of Doulaing.

·        Have time to explore their own experiences and work out any potential personal triggers.

·        Enhance their listening skills.

·        Understand the importance of being trauma informed.

·        Have an awareness of inclusivity- which can include discussing; neurodiversity, multiple births, birth after loss, racism and supporting women of colour, supporting LGTBQ parents, sole parents and more.

·        Feel confident in interviews, antenatal and postnatal meetings with clients.

·        Explore how we can include the birth partner and other family members.

·        Create a Beaded Birth Line (with the original creator)

·        Understand the stages, emotions, hormones and the physiology of all variations of birth.

·        Have the ability to work seamlessly in supporting clients in the postnatal period.

·        Start to explore the Microbiome in reference to birth and infant feeding.

·        Be able to recognise, support and signpost perinatal and paternal mental health problems.

·        Be ready to support parents in the postnatal period exploring topics such as: baby brain development, bonding, family relationships returning to work, finding up to date information, slings, baby wearing and more.

·        Have confidence with infant feeding after a session with a qualified and practicing breastfeeding counsellor. This will include all aspects of feeding, listening support knowledge of common concerns and appropriate signposting.

Our afternoon workshops can include:

·        Creating pottery (our bowls of self care)

·        Exploring everything placentas (with a real placenta!)

·        Birth emergencies (with an independent midwife)

·        What’s in your Doula bag (knowing your boundaries)

·        How to take a great birth pic (with a professional birth photographer)

·        Getting political! Talking birth rights and how to navigate the NHS (with an Maternity Voices Partnership representative)

·        The closing of our course with a powerful Salt bowl ceremony and settings of intentions

Developing Doulas

Details:

• Five full days
• A loving, informal atmosphere designed to help you ‘find the doula within’ in a small, intimate group
• Courses round the UK facilitated by experienced doulas and Breastfeeding Counsellors
• Cambridge course facilitated by experienced doula/breastfeeding counsellor and author of ‘Why Doulas Matter’
• Practical skills for birth and postnatal 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, joining Doula UK and the Doula UK Recognition Process
• Full-day infant feeding session run by a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor
• Extensive course manual that grows with you as you develop as a doula
• One to one sessions on the last day to reflect on the course and your future as a doula
• Extend your learning and personal growth and benefit your community with the post-course project
• Certificate of completion
• Ongoing support through the Developing Doulas family
• 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
• *One assisted place per course*: The Pam Lacey Award – for woman who aspire to support breastfeeding mothers in their community.
• Payment in instalments welcome

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