The BirthBliss doula blog

Birth can leave a woman with a profound sense of strength, confidence and trust in her body. As Jeremy Hunt and James Titcombe warn against ‘normal birth ideology’, whose experiences are shaping the conversation? Drawing on research and over two decades as a doula, Kicki Hansard explores the benefits of physiological birth, the importance of women’s experiences and the responsibility of those with political influence to listen to the women whose bodies and lives are affected

Pregnancy and baby loss can be difficult to talk about, particularly when we don't know what to say or how to help. During Baby Loss Awareness Week, Kicki Hansard explores how doulas can support families through miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of a baby. From offering practical help and emotional support to respecting parents' wishes and recognising professional boundaries, this article reflects on how doulas can provide compassionate care when families need understandi

It took me six months to find my first doula clients in 2002. They knew they were my first and were excited to choose me. Finding work takes time, relationships and a clear understanding of what you offer. In this article, I share my thoughts on meeting potential clients, showing the value of your support and quietening that little gremlin telling you why nobody will book you. We need a variety of doulas for the different women and families looking for support.

A Mack Explains video about the evolution of human birth raises an interesting question: do women really need help to give birth? I explore what the research tells us about the human pelvis, physiology and why we may have evolved to give birth with others nearby. Perhaps support was never about making birth happen, but about protecting the conditions that allow it to happen.

What happens when supporting women begins to depend on agreeing with them? After more than twenty years in the doula world, I’ve been thinking about how we hold different beliefs, particularly in an age when social media can turn disagreement into judgement. Can we have strong values of our own while still making room for women who see the world differently? Perhaps this matters most when the woman who disagrees with us is the woman asking for our support.

Do you need a Doula UK approved course? No. It is not a legal requirement. Kicki Hansard explains what really matters when choosing doula training in the UK and what BirthBliss offers instead, including FEDANT-accredited courses.

The Nottingham maternity review is heartbreaking, but it is also uncomfortably familiar. As another inquiry reveals women who felt unheard and opportunities that were missed, we must ask why these same themes continue to emerge. This article explores what needs to change, why listening is fundamental to safe maternity care and how doulas can help shape a future where every family feels heard, respected and supported.

A new Lancet review invites us to rethink preconception health by including fathers, not as an afterthought but as part of the whole picture. For doulas, this deepens what we already do, gently holding both parents so support can be shared, felt and lived. When partners are included and guided through presence rather than instruction, birth becomes something held together rather than carried alone.

World Doula Week offers a moment to pause and notice what is often quietly unfolding in birth rooms and homes. As more families in the UK begin to explore what a doula is and how doula support can shape their experience, there is a growing recognition that birth is not only a clinical event, though a deeply personal one. In a system that often focuses on immediate outcomes, doulas bring attention back to the whole experience. They sit alongside women, offering steady, non-ju

Disagreement is normal in professional communities. The challenge is keeping conversations open before assumptions and labels take over.

In the birth world, questions about culture, support, and representation are complex. Perhaps what matters most is humility, listening, and

Finishing your doula training is only the beginning. This thoughtful guide explores how to move from qualification to real work in the UK, with steady practical steps, honest reflections and gentle guidance for building a sustainable, grounded doula career.

Many midwives find themselves drawn towards doula work after realising they want to stay longer with women and offer a different kind of support. Although doula training can appear familiar on the surface, it is rooted in a very different way of being. This article explores why there is no shortcut from midwifery to doula work, why unlearning matters, and why doulas should be trained by those who have practised the role themselves.

Some incidents, including deaths, prompt difficult questions about how birth decisions are understood in hindsight. This reflection explores women’s choice, the role of non-medical support, and what a recent Regulation 28 report reveals about consent, communication, and uncertainty in maternity care, without seeking to assign blame or offer simple answers.

At the start of 2026, the year of the Fire Horse, many people feel a familiar pull towards work that feels meaningful. This blog speaks to those thinking about becoming a doula and to doulas already on the path. It explores new year intentions, the symbolism of the Fire Horse, and how doula training and doula work can grow with confidence, clarity, and trust in yourself.

Many people drawn to doula work say they are “good at being with people,” even before they know why that matters. This article explores the observer effect and why how a doula watches, listens, and shows up can shape birth physiology, emotional safety, and parental confidence. Grounded in research and lived experience, it explains why presence sits at the heart of BirthBliss doula training.

Building your doula website is one of the biggest steps in becoming a doula. It is your online home and your shop window, helping families understand who you are, what you offer, and how to reach you. A clear, welcoming site builds confidence, supports your doula business, and makes it easier for the right families to find you. A simple, warm website works far better than a complicated one.

Starting your doula business takes time, trust, and consistency. Learn how to find your first clients, grow your doula practice, and build confidence step by step. From connecting with birth workers to sharing your story online, these simple, proven strategies will help you grow a thriving doula business after training and keep planting the seeds that lead to long-term success.

Being a doula is a bit like being a detective - like Jessica Fletcher, gently uncovering what matters most through thoughtful questions. Whether you're supporting someone through birth or in the early postnatal weeks, asking the right questions helps you build trust, understand their needs, and offer support that truly fits. This blog explores how to stay curious without being intrusive and how to hold space with care.

The life of a doula revolves around profound connections, deep empathy, and unwavering support. As we stand alongside families during life's most transformative moments, we mustn't forget our own personal journeys. One such journey, often overlooked, is the transition through peri-menopause and menopause. Understanding Peri-Menopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause Before we delve deeper, let's clarify these stages: Peri-Menopause: This transitional phase can begin in a woman'