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Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of useful FAQs. See the forum for more information or to post questions

General
Question How long is the course?
Answer

5 days

Question Why is the course divided into 2 weekends and a 5th day a few weeks later?
Answer

To provide you with a time for reflection and time to begin your assignments. The time in between also allows you to begin the process of setting yourself up as a doula in your local area. It means you will know the other women on the course for much longer that 5 days, and form friendships that we hope will be fruitful and supportive during your doula career.

Question Do I need to have had children to be a doula?
Answer

No. There are many doulas who started this work before having their own children – and they successfully found clients.

Question Do I need any relevant experience, skills or qualifications?
Answer

No, all we ask is passion, commitment and an open heart. Even if you are a man, we will still consider you!

Question How much does the course cost?
Answer

It costs £350. Usually we ask for a deposit of £75 to reserve your place, with the balance due 2 weeks before the course begins. If you would like to pay in instalments, please talk to us.

Question Do you run the course somewhere closer to where I live?
Answer

We have travelled in the past, but only when we have been invited by a ready-made group of aspiring doulas. We are not a large organisation; rather 2 doulas who can afford to run these courses only because we have the use of one of our houses. Many women before you have found their way to us by car or public transport.

Question It seems so hard for me to face the prospect of leaving my family to attend the course. Can I bring my children with me?
Answer

Yes, if you bring another adult with you who can take the children out and entertain them for the day (there’s a zoo close by) or who can stay nearby with your breastfed baby til s/he needs a feed. We love babies and children, which is why we have to say with a heavy heart that they are too distracting to have in a room with women who are learning and often sharing deep, private emotions.Becoming a birth or postnatal doula will involve leaving your children sometimes. The doula journey is an adventure, taking you to people and places you never thought possible. Most doulas say this journey makes them more fulfilled – as women and mothers. If you feel you just could not leave your children to attend a course, then we’d suggest you think about how you would intend to leave them to attend a birth or work postnatally. Attending the course might be your first practice in arranging childcare, which will be necessary at least sometimes should you choose to work as a doula.

Question I am a trained midwife or SM – can I be a doula?
Answer

Yes. The midwife’s journey is a slightly different experience of transition as you work out the boundaries between the 2 roles. We have a lot of experience supporting midwives as they begin the transition to the doula role. If you would like to speak  to other midwives we have trained, please get in touch.

Question My children are grown and I’m retired now. Am I too old to train?
Answer

No!

Question I am still under 20 – am I too young to train?
Answer

No!

Question Why do you say I have to speak to you the phone before you can confirm me a place?
Answer

Because we don’t just train anyone. We want to train people who are ready to go off and be the best doulas they can be, either now or in the future. We want to train women who have true and heartfelt motives - and we want to get to know you a little before we meet!

Question Do I have to join Doula UK after I finish the course?
Answer

No, but we hope you will! Doula UK accredits all the courses, provides learning, sharing, camaraderie and emotional support to all it’s members. It is run by doulas, for doulas and is great fun to be a part of.

Question When is the next Doula training course? I would like to consider training as a Doula in the new year.
Answer

Hello there, thanks for getting in touch with us. The dates are on the front page of the website. They are the 17th & 18th January and the 31st Jan and 1st Feb. These are 2 weekends. We then arrange the 5th day as a group - typically it is around 3 weeks after the 2nd weekend.If you'd like to find out more, please read all the frequently Asked Questions, have a look or post on the forum or contact us.You can also call me anytime - my name is Maddie and my number is 07977 921709. Lots of doula work on at the moment, but I promise to call you back if you get my voicemail! If you'd like to reserve a place in this group, can I ask you to give me a call? Then we can get to know each other a little and I can email or post you the booking form etc. 

Question Dear maddie after five days training are you fully trained to start as a doula with your ongoing support ,I have a mum whom has no support and the experience of supporting her would be amazing , can you give me advise and also insurance how much I am trained in reflexology but would like to do updated course on maternity to enhance my skills ,can you email next dates regards Jo Haslop
Answer

Hello Jo,Yes, after the 5 day course your official title is 'trainee doula'. We guide you in how to join Doula UK - the organisation run for doulas, by doulas and help you find a Doula UK Mentor, to help and support you as you begin your wonderful doula journey.On the course we make sure you have all the tools to enable you to begin supporting women as a doula - including insurance and all the other 'business stuff' - as well as the practical skills and knowledge you'll be using.The dates of the next course are on the Homepage of this website, and in the answer to the last question above. If you'd like to know more, chat through your options, or book a place, do give me a call - my number is in the answer to the question above.You can contact me here