Education | Inspiration | Support
Diploma in Birth and Postnatal Doula Support
A thoughtful and practical pathway into birth and postnatal doula work through The BirthBliss Doula Academy.
THE BIRTHBLISS DIPLOMA
What the Diploma recognises
Students who complete the full BirthBliss training, including the reflective work before and after the course, receive the Diploma in Birth and Postnatal Doula Support.
It recognises more than attendance. It reflects how you have engaged with the learning and with the emotional side of supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Since 2005
I have been training doulas for more than twenty years.
More than 1,500
doulas have trained with me across the UK and internationally.
FEDANT accredited
The Diploma is accredited by the Federation of Antenatal Educators.
WHAT IT INCLUDES
How you earn the Diploma
What you complete
The Diploma is awarded once you have completed:
The BirthBliss doula training course
All the reflective pre-course modules
The post-course reflective work
Active participation throughout the training
What you study
The course covers birth and postnatal doula support, including:
The physiology of birth
Emotional and practical support in labour
Birth preparation and childbirth education
Supporting partners and families
Postnatal recovery and emotional wellbeing
Newborn behaviour and infant feeding
Trauma-informed support
Communication and listening
Boundaries and professionalism
Building a sustainable doula business
THE ROLE
What is a birth and postnatal doula?
A doula offers emotional, practical and informational support to families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
A birth doula
Supports families through pregnancy and labour.
A postnatal doula
Supports families after the baby is born, helping parents adjust emotionally and practically to life with a new baby.
Doulas are not medical professionals. The role is about companionship, listening and helping families feel informed and supported.
TWO WAYS TO TRAIN
Online or in-person
You can complete the Diploma in Birth and Postnatal Doula Support either way. Both routes include reflective learning, ongoing support and a place in the wider BirthBliss community.
AFTER THE DIPLOMA
What happens next?
STEP 1
Receive your Diploma
Once you have completed the course and reflective work, your Diploma is awarded.
STEP 2
Begin supporting families
Many doulas start working with families once they have their Diploma, when they feel ready.
STEP 3
Optional certification
Some continue into the BirthBliss Certification Programme, a separate supported pathway with mentoring, reflective debriefs and guidance from experienced doulas.
ACCREDITATION
Recognised beyond BirthBliss
The Diploma is accredited by the Federation of Antenatal Educators (FEDANT), an independent body that accredits antenatal and birth education. The course has been reviewed by people outside BirthBliss and measured against recognised standards, so you can feel reassured that the training is thorough and recognised beyond BirthBliss itself.
It is also worth knowing that doula work is not a regulated profession in the UK. There is no legal licence to practise as a doula and no single organisation approves or governs all doulas.
I believe the quality of a doula comes from thoughtful education, reflective practice, ongoing learning and the way they care for families.
WHY BIRTHBLISS
Why train with me?
I created The BirthBliss Doula Academy after many years as a doula, author and educator. The training brings together practical knowledge, emotional understanding and real-life experience. Alongside the information, it helps you grow confident in yourself, in your ability to listen and in your own way of supporting others.
Many students tell me the course was personally meaningful as well as professionally useful. Becoming a doula often changes how people see birth, parenting, relationships and themselves.
The course is for people who feel drawn to supporting women and families with warmth and steadiness through one of life's biggest transitions.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Questions about the Diploma
Is the Diploma awarded for attendance alone?
No. You receive it after completing the full course, including the reflective work before and after.
Can I work as a doula once I have the Diploma?
Yes. Many doulas begin supporting families once they have completed their training and Diploma.
Is certification part of the Diploma?
No. Certification is a separate, optional pathway that happens after training, while you gain experience with families.
Can I complete the Diploma online?
Yes. You can train through the self-paced online course or in- person.
How long does the course take?
That depends on the route you choose. The in-person course runs over four days, while the online course is self-paced. See upcoming course dates.