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Many people assume becoming a doula should involve shadowing an experienced one, just as nurses or midwives shadow in training. But doula work is unique. It is not about copying tasks, it is about presence, listening, and authenticity. Shadowing can undermine confidentiality and even knock your confidence. Instead, the best path is building your own practice with guidance and support, so you can grow into your own style of doula work.

Deciding whether to become a midwife or a doula can feel overwhelming. Midwives are registered health professionals providing clinical care, usually within the NHS, while doulas are self-employed and focus on emotional, practical, and evidence-based support. Both roles overlap in caring for women and families, yet midwives are often stretched by the system, leaving doulas free to offer the presence and continuity families deeply value.

Birth isn’t something to be managed or controlled, it’s a deeply human, transformational process. This blog explores why the medical model struggles with individual variation in birth, and how Buddhist ideas of surrender and trust can help us reshape maternity care. If we want better outcomes, we need to trust women, honour their differences, and stop treating birth like a problem. It's time to remember what birth is really about.

Ever wondered what doulas really do? A day in the life of a doula is unpredictable, varied and full of meaning. From being called to a birth at 3am, to making tea for a tired new parent, no two days look the same. Here’s the truth: babies aren’t “delivered”, pizzas are delivered, women give birth. Doulas don’t replace midwives or doctors, and we don’t tell families what to do. We walk alongside, offering calm, care and confidence when families need it most.