Frequently Asked Questions - Doula Training Course
Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about The BirthBliss Academy doula course. If you have a question about the doula training course that is not answered here, please call me on 07905-895466. Alternatively, email me
Are there any entry requirements for the doula course?
No, you don’t need to have any qualifications to join this course. The only thing that is required is that you want to offer support to women and birthing people as well as their families during pregnancy, childbirth and/or the postnatal period.
It’s too far for me to travel each day. Where can I stay?
We offer low-cost accommodation at some venues, so please let us know if you need a room for the duration of the course. Alternatively, we suggest you look at AirBnB.
How do I become a qualified doula?
This course is designed to prepare you for work as a doula, and you can continue growing your doula practise by enrolling in our Accreditation Programme. The support of an experienced doula as you support your first clients will really help build confidence and show that you are committed to ongoing learning and growth.
How do I find clients and work as a doula?
Doulas are self-employed and get their work through The Doula Directory , referrals from other doulas, their own websites, advertising and word of mouth. It is up to the doula to find work and this involves networking and spreading awareness about the services on offer. The BirthBliss Academy course has a section on running your own business, which gives doulas a way forward in terms of what to do after completing the course.
Can I make a living from being a doula?
There are a couple of things to consider if you want to become a doula, do you need to have a regular income and can you leave at short notice and not return for 24 hours or more? If you live in or near a large city, you will most likely be able to find work and therefore earn a reasonable wage. The most difficult part for most new doulas is the business side of things and getting out there to get work. This course equips you with a lot of information on how you can make it successful.
The doulas that view themselves as business owners, and invest in their business, invest in training, advertising, marketing, which ensures great exposure to the pregnant population, can earn a reasonable living wage. If you want to have a job that fits in nicely around your family, doing something you feel passionate about then this might be seen as value, although not a monetary one.
I’m already a qualified midwife; do I still need to come on the course to work as a doula?
Working as a midwife is a very different role from being a doula and it might be necessary for a midwife to ‘unlearn’ some of the responsibilities when working as a midwife. Doulas offer emotional and practical support and not medical advice and would not be carrying out any examinations or assessments. Doulas do not give advice full stop - we provide information. The many midwives that have attended the course found that they learned a lot and some even suggested that all midwives should come on a doula course to complement their skills.
Another fact is that no one has to do a doula course to work as a doula as it is, in its essence, a traditional role. Women and birthing people have always been supported by their community during the childbearing year and still do in many cultures. Doulaing is, therefore, unregulated and anyone can work as a doula.
I have not given birth myself so can I still be a doula?
Whilst many doulas are also mothers as well, it is not a requirement for becoming a doula. Being a doula is just that, being with women and birthing people in a supportive, nurturing and caring way. If you haven't had your own baby, it might be helpful to come to the course with relevant life experience.
What is different about your course?
My course is designed to put across the essence of the doula and also incorporates my 19 years’ of experience working as a doula. I have trained with both Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus, two of the founders of DONA (Doulas Of North America) as well as a number of other leaders in their specific fields. Phyllis Klaus, together with her husband Marshall and their friend John Kennell, carried out the very first studies into the doula effect and I believe that I am the only doula course facilitator in the UK who has trained with these elders of the doula movement. I bring a wealth of experiences as a working doula, combined with my academic studies in Social Science and an enormous passion for supporting women and people in all they do!
Can I pay for the course in instalments?
There are three different payment options available to you when you book on the course. You can find the options here .
Do you offer a scholarship?
Yes! We know that there are racial inequalities in maternity care. The MBRRACE-UK report, shows that Black women are five times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy than white women. Women with Mixed Ethnicity are three times as likely to die as white women and Asian women twice as likely to die. We acknowledge that our membership does not have diverse representation of colour, and we deeply wish to change that. There is currently an under-representation of doulas from the Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnic communities and we know that having a doula could help save women’s and babies’ lives. We are, therefore, offering a grant of £350 which will cover half of the course fee on any of our Aspiring Doula courses.
To apply, please send an email with no more than 500 words to kicki@birthbliss.co.uk with the subject line “Scholarship Application”, and please let us know who you are, the work you’re doing in your community and why you think you’re a good candidate for our grant. Also include which course date and venue you can attend.
I only want to work as a postnatal doula, do I really need to do a course for both birth and postnatal doulas?
It might seem as though simply doing a course for postnatal doulas would be enough if that is the kind of work you would like to focus on. However, a lot of your time will be spent on talking about the birth experience with your client. It would be of great benefit to you to have the knowledge around birth that you will get in this course, which in turn, will benefit your client. I believe it is a necessity to know about birth to be able to support someone in the postnatal period.
Are doulas in high demand?
In the UK, roughly 700,000 babies are born every year and there are probably around 1,000 doulas. So, if you look at the ratio doula versus babies born, there are not enough doulas to support every person who is having a baby. The doulas that live in the bigger cities, like London, Manchester, Leeds, etc, are usually booked up many months in advance for both birth and postnatal work. It might be easier to find doulas in an area where the population is less dense. If you do want to hire a doula to support you through your maternity journey and have the most choice, it's worth looking at hiring a doula around pregnancy week 20 at the latest. That way you will have more choice and you'll be able to find a doula that's right for you.
How do doulas get clients?
After completing a doula training course, most course providers have their own doula directory or listing for their graduates. There are additional places where you can be listed that you can apply to and pay for a listing. There are different organisations that you can join and pay a membership fee to get your own profile. Most doulas also set up their own websites and social media accounts, where they are able to advertise their services.