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/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 from 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. We will cover this more in the course.
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, networking and word of mouth. Our doula course includes an excellent section on running your own business, which gives doulas a clear way forward after completing the course.
Can I make a living from being a doula?
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. This course equips you with a lot of information on how you can make it successful.
The doulas that see themselves as business owners, and invest in their business, invest in training, advertising, marketing, which ensures exposure to the pregnant population, usually 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 could also 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?
The course is designed to put across the essence of the doula and incorporates 20 years’ of experience working as a doula. Kicki has trained with both Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus, two of the founders of DONA (Doulas Of North America) and we believe that no other doula course creators in the UK have trained with these elders of the doula movement. Our facilitators bring a wealth of experiences as working doulas, combined with an enormous passion for supporting women and families in all they do!
Can I pay for the course in instalments?
There are two 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. We acknowledge that our membership does not have the level of diverse representation of colour that we would like, and we deeply wish to change that. There is currently an under-representation of doulas from the Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnic communities. We are, therefore, offering a grant of £358 which will cover half of the course fee.
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.