BirthBliss Doula Course Curriculum
What is covered in the BirthBliss training?
Our birth and postnatal doula training follows a comprehensive core curriculum covering birth, postnatal support, infant feeding, communication and setting up your doula business.
The same core subjects are covered whether you choose the four-day in-person course or the self-paced online course. The structure below shows how the curriculum is taught during our four-day in-person training.
DAY ONE
Understanding birth
We begin with the foundations of doula work and an understanding of what is happening during labour and birth.
The history of doulas
Where the doula role comes from and how it has developed.
Birth completion session
An opportunity to explore our own experiences and consider what we may bring with us into our work.
Birth physiology and anatomy
Understanding the body during labour and birth and how physiology can influence the way labour unfolds.
The path to birth
What happens as labour begins and progresses and what a doula might notice along the way.
Recognising labour and progress
Learning to recognise signs of labour and the changes that may suggest labour is progressing while remaining clear about what sits within the doula role.
Arriving at hospital or when the midwife arrives at home
Looking at what may change when a family moves into the hospital environment or when the midwife arrives to support a planned home birth.
The third stage of labour
Understanding what happens after the baby has been born and the different ways the third stage may be managed.
Immediately after birth
The first couple of hours after birth and how a doula can support the new family during this time.
Communicating with healthcare professionals
Developing ways of communicating and working alongside midwives and other healthcare professionals while remaining clear about the doula's role.
DAY TWO
Supporting birth and the postnatal period
Day Two moves further into the practical and emotional aspects of doula support, including pain, caesarean birth and the transition into the postnatal period.
Understanding pain and contractions
What do we mean when we talk about pain in labour? We explore what a contraction is and how the experience of labour can vary from one woman to another.
Pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical pain management
Understanding the different approaches to pain management that parents may encounter and considering how a doula can support them with their choices.
Challenging situations and the role of the doula
Birth does not always unfold as expected. We explore what the doula role can look like when plans change or situations become difficult.
Caesarean birth
Understanding caesarean birth and considering how a doula can support families before, during and after a caesarean.
Enabling self sufficiency in parents
Supporting people does not mean doing everything for them. We look at how doulas can help parents recognise their own abilities and find their own way forward.
The postnatal period and fourth trimester
Understanding the transition after birth and some of the physical, emotional and practical changes families may experience.
Perinatal and postnatal illness
Developing an awareness of perinatal and postnatal illness, the boundaries of the doula role and when additional professional support may be needed.
Listening and communication skills
Learning to listen is a significant part of doula work. We explore how we communicate, how we ask questions and what can happen when we resist the urge to immediately offer an answer.
Working as a postnatal doula
Looking at what postnatal doula support can involve and how the needs of each family may differ.
DAY THREE
Infant feeding
Day Three focuses on infant feeding and gives you a foundation for supporting families through the early days and weeks.
The role of hormones in lactation
Understanding the hormones involved in lactation and milk production.
Breast anatomy and early priming
Exploring breast anatomy and what happens in preparation for lactation.
The different stages of lactation
Understanding how lactation changes during the early days and weeks following birth.
The impact of formula
Looking at formula feeding and what doulas need to understand when supporting parents with feeding decisions.
Positioning and attachment
Understanding positioning and attachment and how these can affect breastfeeding.
Effective and ineffective attachment
Learning what may indicate that attachment is working well and what may suggest that further support is needed.
Barriers to breastfeeding
Exploring some of the physical, emotional and practical factors that can make breastfeeding more difficult.
Insufficient milk intake and production
Understanding some of the causes, how difficulties may be recognised and the appropriate management and support available.
How companies market infant feeding products
Looking at how infant feeding products are marketed and why an awareness of commercial influence matters when supporting families.
Preparing formula safely
Understanding how infant formula should be prepared and used safely.
DAY FOUR
Working as a doula
On Day Four we bring the learning into the practical world of beginning to work as a doula.
Registering as self employed with HMRC
Understanding the basic steps involved in becoming self employed and the responsibilities that come with it.
Doula charges and packages
Thinking about what you might charge, what your service includes and how to begin developing packages that work for you and your clients.
On call, backup, shared care and collectives
Exploring the practicalities of being on call for births, arranging backup and different ways doulas can work together.
Advertising
Thinking about how prospective clients find you and how you communicate what you offer.
Social media and websites
Looking at the role websites and social media can play in establishing your doula practice.
DBS checks and insurance
Understanding the practical safeguards that may form part of working professionally as a doula.
Contracts and record keeping
Looking at agreements with clients, keeping appropriate records and creating clear expectations from the beginning.
Good business practice and working safely
Considering professional boundaries, practical safety and the responsibilities involved in running your own doula practice.
The interview and antenatal preparation
Exploring the first meeting with prospective clients and how antenatal sessions can help you prepare for working together.
FEDANT
Understanding FEDANT, the Federation of Antenatal Educators and how professional registration fits alongside your BirthBliss training.
The BirthBliss Doula Academy Certification Programme
We explain what happens after your initial training and how you can continue through the optional BirthBliss Certification Programme while gaining experience with families.
Practical techniques for labour and birth
Bringing the course together with practical techniques and approaches you can draw upon when supporting someone through labour and birth.
Also included with your BirthBliss training
Live Zoom Doula Days
Bi-monthly opportunities to continue learning, discuss different aspects of doula work and bring your questions.
Doula the Doula Sessions
Monthly live Zoom sessions exploring subjects connected with birth, postnatal support and doula practice.
30 minute one-to-one session
An individual session with Kicki to discuss your learning, questions or next steps.
BirthBliss community and Portal
Ongoing access to the BirthBliss community, resources and information.
Six months free on The Doula Directory
Create your professional profile and begin making yourself visible to families looking for doula support.
In-person students also receive
-
Printed BirthBliss course manual
-
BirthBliss notebook
-
Birth Doula Starter Kit
-
Lifetime access to the self paced online course
We’re delighted that you’re considering training with BirthBliss.
Here’s what you can expect
Our in-person course runs from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm. The days are full and there is plenty of time for discussion, practical learning, questions and reflection. We want you to understand the knowledge behind doula support while also having opportunities to explore what that support can look and feel like in practice.
There is some learning to complete before the course and a post course module afterwards, giving you time to reflect on what you have learned and bring everything together.
Once you have completed the training and post course work, you will receive your BirthBliss Diploma in Birth and Postnatal Doula Support. You can begin working as a doula when you feel ready. You can also choose to continue with our optional Certification Programme, where you will receive support and professional debriefing as you gain experience working with families.
If you have questions before deciding, have a look through our Ultimate Guide to becoming a doula or book a call with me. I’m happy to talk things through with you and help you work out whether BirthBliss feels right for you.