Birth and postnatal doula training course

Would you like to become a doula ? Looking for a course that will get you the skills needed to start right away? This course is a recognised course by Doula UK. You do not need to have given birth to take part! Check our course FAQ page for details.

Do you want to become a birth doula? You need to attend the 3 days.

Do you want to become a postnatal doula? You need to attend the 2 days (the 2nd and 3rd day only)

NOTE : You can attend a 2 day course (for postnatal doulas only) and add the 3rd day (to add a birth qualification) at a later date.

To register your interest or get an application form, contact us - an application form can be e-mailed (PDF) or sent by post (You can not download it directly from this site).

The aim of the course is to introduce women to a doula's role, including her role in labour situations. Her relationship with the parents of the baby as well as her interaction with the baby and health professionals she may encounter. Her role as a 'counsellor' is explained and role-played, addressing issues such as a difficult birth, breast or bottle feeding problems, etc. Alongside her role, all the details of how to run your own business (contracts, back ups, fees etc) and how to get clients is explained.

The course contains :

Debriefing of one's own birth and postnatal experiences (birth, feeding, first few weeks)
Birth: Birth physiology, anatomy, obstetric scenarios, antenatal support and discussions, optimal foetal positioning, supporting parents in informed choices, understanding father's needs,... how to "be" in labour, know your boundaries,...
Breastfeeding basics (as well as bottle feeding basics) - understanding the issues and common problems of feeding a newborn: Constant feeding (unsettled), mastitis, thrush, green nappies, "not enough milk", "too much milk", let down reflex, skin to skin, expressing, mix-feeding, safely preparing bottles, who else can help, body image, weaning,....
Common issues with new mothers and babies : Lack of sleep, too many visitors, unsettled babies, routines, no routines, spots,...
Counselling and support of new families (listening skills versus coaching) : What it is to listen, no judgment, reflecting back, seeking further help,...
How to empower a woman to look after her baby herself (showing versus doing)
Roles of a postnatal doula and expectations by the client : To clean or not to clean?, counselling issues, how to best prepare your clients to your role and what to expect from you,...
Knowing your local scene, contacts/working with other health professionals - How to diplomatically work with local health professionals, networking, hardship fund,...
Running your own doula business, contracts, insurance, training,... : How to get clients, are contracts useful, how to write a contract, should you get insurance, should you get a police check, first aid course, breastfeeding courses, how to get other relevant skills,...

There is large course manual for each participant containing key information and references for doulas. There is some work to be done before and after the course (mainly to prepare yourself to the course and to reflect on what you learned).

A certificate will be issued once the work has been successfully submitted. After attending this course you can choose to become a member of Doula UK and/or start working right away. You can also be listed on our Doula Directory.

There is also the possibility of attending one extra day on birth. This is optional.

The 2 day course for postnatal doulas only is £225 and includes the pre- and post-course modules, the manual, course attendance, a monthly e-news, access to our on-line forum and the follow-up of a mentor. Payment can be made in installments.

The 3 day course is £325 and includes the pre- and post-course modules, the manual, course attendance, a monthly e-news, access to our online forum and the follow-up of a mentor. Payment can be made in installments.

Check here for a list of venues and dates for this course.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COURSE IN YOUR AREA, CONTACT VALERIE. Maybe you have a lounge/dinning room big enough for 8 and you would like to host a course at your house (there is a discount for the host). Or do you know a local venue big enough for 8 women that could be rented for 3 days? We are always looking for venues so get in touch ! You do NOT need to find the participants, we take care of that!

What did students say about this course?

"The course was inspiring and enlightening. Valerie has a tremendous amount of knowledge and is very 'geared-up' and driven to the cause. I felt that Valerie is training doulas with a vision of morality and feminine understanding and not only for commercial reasons. The course was the best I have attended and I was sorry it had to end."

"I was truly moved to be taught so much by a person who is so aware of the importance of this role in society and so dedicated from the heart to serving this scared time and space between a newborn and his/her mother." an ex-midwife

"The trainer, Bushra, was fantastic, knowledgeable, experienced, with a great delivery style."

"I feel so inspired after attending this doula course with Kicki. I will happily recommend it to anyone who is interested about childbirth, doulas and how to be supportive to a pregnant woman."

"I thought the course was very well structured and our trainer's own experiences and advice really helped to clarify the role of a Doula. I am now eager to read more and build up more knowledge before taking the first steps. By far the best training course I have ever attended."

"I feel confident and excited about starting (now). Valerie is very inspiring and provided me with a fantastic grounding to start as a doula."

"Thank you so much for running a great course. I decided to do the course to discover if Doulaing was for me and if being a Doula would fit in with my life and family. I finished the course as a Doula and believing in myself. I enjoyed myself immensely and learnt a lot. I am excited about my forthcoming journey and extremely happy that I have finally found my path."

" I felt the course was very thorough and covered every angle of being a postnatal doula. I like the fact that there was plenty of time to discuss subjects and ideas. I feel better equipped to deal with certain situations that might arise in my everyday practice.This course really delivered on its promise... we achieved everything we set out to do. I appreciated that Valerie was willing to share so much from her experience."

"I thought I knew how to be a good doula before I came on the course and to be honest I thought I just had to do the course to get accepted with Doula UK. How ignorant I was! Valerie taught me a whole new perspective in regards to being a birth doula."

"I was so underprepared for the doula course both in knowledge and experience. Never once did Valerie make me feel left out and only moved onto the next topic when all understood as a group what subject or discussion we were covering. True to her natural doula ability she nurtured me along through the entire course."

"The course is comprehensive, clearly presented and provides a lot of information and support. The large folder we received is excellent and I find myself referring to it often - very helpful indeed."

"The course was a great opportunity to learn from an experienced doula and to explore ideas and issues with women from a range of backgrounds. I found the marketing module very useful."

"I have just been offered a place at Kingston university to study Midwifery and I am really pleased. During the interview they were very interested in the work of a Doula and were impressed by all that I learnt from your course."

"The course was as I expected it and I would not recommend a midwife ever consider become a doula without attending a course. The breastfeeding update was particularly helpful and the business session crucial to decision making." An ex-midwife

"Thank you very much for the course, I really enjoyed it and although as I suspected before attending it the 'fact' based stuff was obviously very familiar to me. However I found it so refreshing to hear someone speak with such enthusiasm and with such confidence that 'normal' birth is possible and their ability to create that environment.... so it is possible!" A NCT antenatal teacher.

Our trainers :

Valerie Goedkoop, B.Sc. Soc., Breastfeeding counsellor, recognised doula with Doula UK and also trained with DONA (Doulas of North America). She has participated in several books on childbirth and babies as well as written articles. She is regularly interviewed in baby/pregnancy magazines and was featured on ITV's Baby House programme.

Valerie has spent 12 years as an advertising, PR and training executive for 2 blue chips companies. A few years ago, she decided to become a doula and she has developed her own small doula practice into a successful doula business, having worked for over 70 families as a birth and postnatal doula. She has been a very active member of Doula UK and was its co-chair in 2005. Valerie supports breastfeeding in the community as well as the local breastfeeding clinic. She is a very active member of the Maternity Services Liaison Committee of two hospitals. She is a Birthlight certified antenatal and postnatal yoga teacher. She is married and has three children.

Bushra Finch is an experienced doula, recognised with Doula UK. She has been featured in baby and pregnancy magazines, interviewed for several radio programmes as well as speaking on pregnancy and birth at several conferences. Bushra was vice chair of Doula UK in 2005 and chair in 2007. She is also a Maya Abdominal Massage practitioner, having trained with Rosita Arvigo in America and does personalised antenatal sessions with prospective parents.
Bushra is married and has four children.

Kicki Hansard , SNHS (Professional Relaxation Therapy), is an experienced doula, recognised with Doula UK and a Certified Doula with BOND. She took part in the documentary about doulas called "Mum + One" which is currently being shown on the Discovery Home & Health Channel. She occasionally holds talks about doulas to student midwives and alternative health practitioners and is currently studying for a degree in Social Science.
Kicki is married and has two children.

Interested? Contact us for an application form.