Education | Inspiration | Support
IN-PERSON
Birth and postnatal doula training in a small group
Spend four days learning with Kicki Hansard and no more than seven other students.
We will explore pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period alongside communication, boundaries, trauma-aware support and the practical foundations of beginning your doula work.
The course includes pre-course and post-course learning and leads to the Diploma in Birth & Postnatal Doula Support.
4 DAYS | MAXIMUM 8 PARTICIPANTS | LONDON & WATFORD | £848
Includes your printed course resources, BirthBliss Doula Starter Kit, access to the complete online course and continued support after the four days.
What makes learning in person different?
If you feel drawn to supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period, the in-person course gives you four days to explore what doula work really involves and begin developing your own way of supporting people.
Learning in a small group gives you space to ask questions as they arise, hear different perspectives and reflect while the conversation is still fresh. One person may ask the question that opens something up for everybody, while somebody else may share an experience that helps the group see a situation differently. With no more than eight participants, there is time for everyone to contribute and nobody needs to disappear into the back row.
Some of the learning happens through discussion and reflection, while some needs to be experienced more practically. You will explore comfort measures and massage, try different positions for labour and look at ways a doula can support early feeding, positioning and attachment. There is time to observe, practise, ask questions and consider how practical support can be offered without taking over.
Spending four days together also gives the group time to become comfortable with one another. We stop for lunch and usually eat together, and some of the most useful conversations happen while people are making tea, sharing food or returning to something that came up earlier. Many people arrive without knowing anybody and leave feeling that they have begun this new stage of their lives alongside others who understand what it means.
The course draws upon more than twenty years of supporting families and training doulas. Alongside learning what a doula does, you will begin developing the emotional steadiness, communication skills, professional awareness and understanding of boundaries needed to support people through experiences that may feel uncertain or intense.
By the time you have completed the four days and the reflective learning, you will have a clearer understanding of antenatal preparation, labour and birth support, postnatal care and the practical foundations of beginning your doula work. You will not be expected to leave knowing everything. You will leave with a strong foundation, continued access to the BirthBliss learning and a community you can remain connected to as your experience grows.
What your place includes
Four days with
Kicki
Four days of teaching, discussion, reflection and practical learning with Kicki Hansard.
Printed course resources
Receive your BirthBliss course manual and notebook to use during the course and return to afterwards.
Maximum eight participants
How birth works, comfort measures, positioning, the birth environment and practical ways of supporting someone through labour.
BirthBliss Doula Starter Kit
A collection of practical items to help you begin putting together your doula bag.
Complete online course access
Return to the BirthBliss teaching after the four days whenever you want to revisit a subject or refresh your knowledge.
Continued learning and community
Stay connected through the BirthBliss members’ area, resources and regular live online sessions after the course.
What you'll explore
Pregnancy & preparing for birth
Understanding the antenatal period, birth choices and how a doula can help women and families prepare for what lies ahead.
Trauma-aware support
Understanding how previous experiences can affect pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period and learning to work with sensitivity, awareness and appropriate boundaries.
Birth physiology & practical support
How birth works, comfort measures, positioning, the birth environment and practical ways of supporting someone through labour.
Postnatal support & infant feeding
The early weeks after birth, emotional and practical postnatal support, infant feeding and helping families find their own way into parenthood.
Communication & advocacy
Listening well, asking useful questions, supporting informed decision-making and understanding the difference between supporting someone's voice and speaking for them.
Becoming a working doula
Understanding your role, professional boundaries, working with maternity professionals and the practical foundations of setting up your doula business.
What will I receive when I finish?
When you successfully complete the course, including the pre-course and post-course learning, you will receive the BirthBliss Diploma in Birth and Postnatal Doula Support.
The Diploma confirms that you have successfully completed your BirthBliss doula education. You can then begin working with families if you feel ready.
If you would like structured support while you gain experience, the BirthBliss Certification Programme is available as a separate optional next step.
Your course facilitator, Kicki Hansard
I have worked as a doula since 2002 and have been teaching doulas since 2005. I founded The BirthBliss Doula Academy in 2012 and have since trained more than 1,500 doulas in the UK and internationally. My teaching draws on more than two decades of supporting families and training doulas, alongside continued study and a deep interest in how we support people through one of the most significant transitions of their lives.
I teach the in-person courses myself because I value getting to know the people who train with BirthBliss. Over the four days, I want there to be space for your questions, your experiences and the subjects that need more than a quick answer.
What does it feel like?
"This experience has been truly transformative. I’ve loved every second of learning, growing, and connecting. I now feel 100% prepared and deeply inspired to begin my journey as a doula. Grateful for the knowledge, support, and community that have made this week so special!"
LarenaDoula
"I highly recommend Kicki’s course for anyone considering becoming a doula. Kicki’s knowledge and experience are impressive, and she shares it in a warm and approachable manner, providing plenty of laughs along the way! I have learned so much and feel inspired and excited about my new venture following this course."
Laura Waltzer
"Kicki’s 4-day course was fantastic! I loved it from start to finish. Kicki is very insightful, driven, informative, knowledgeable, and fun! I came away energised, motivated and excited to start my new career as a doula. Thank you so much Kicki!"
Lisa Le Touze
Your journey doesn't end with the course
Completing your course and receiving your Diploma is an important milestone, although you do not then have to work everything out on your own. You can stay connected through the BirthBliss community, live sessions and continued learning as you begin supporting families.
The practical details
Course times
The course runs over four consecutive days, from Monday to Thursday. Each day is usually 9am to 5pm, with the final day finishing at around 4.30pm.
Course locations
Current courses take place in London and Watford. Full venue details are provided for each course date.
Group size
Each course is limited to eight participants, giving us time for questions, discussion and practical learning.
Course fee
The course fee is £848. You can pay in full or choose a three or six-month payment plan.
What is included
Your printed course handbook, notebook, BirthBliss Doula Starter Kit and access to the complete online course are included.
Accommodation and lunch
Accommodation and lunch are not included. You can bring a packed lunch or buy something nearby and we usually eat together as a group.
What to wear and bring
Wear comfortable clothing because we move around during some of the practical exercises. Bring a water bottle and anything you would like for lunch. Everything needed for the course itself will be provided.
Questions before you book?
Still researching your options?
Read our Complete Guide to Becoming a Doula in the UK for a clear explanation of training, qualifications, certification, costs and starting your doula business.