My Training
If you are beginning to investigate the idea of hiring a doula, you may not be aware that this is an unregulated industry. The lack of regulation can be a great thing for practitioners and parents - we aren't tied up in red tape and acres of admin, but I know that it also means you and your family might be nervous to invite someone you don't know into such a crucial role in this vulnerable time of your life. Research in the birth-world is constantly advancing, so I advance my own knowledge alongside it. While there are no official training requirements for doulas or birthkeepers, below I’ve listed some of the qualifications and course I’ve undertaken to date, which underpin the service you can expect.
Disclaimer: as a doula I do not use any of my clinical training to give clinical care. Should you require medical care please contact a registered professional.
Becoming a doula…
I undertook my doula training with Nurturing Birth, and then furthered it with The Original Birth Connection Birthkeeper training, which I felt was a really thorough and positive experience. I also completed a CEertHE in Healthcare with Health Science in 2019, and am currently studying Midwifery.
Further to this formal education, I have undertaken a range of workshops, placements, seminars, courses and self-directed research in order to further my capabilities, across such areas as childbirth physiology, biomechanics, breech birth, pregnancy and birth of multiples, infant feeding, hypnobirthing, shoulder dystocia, infant loss, caesarean birth, perinatal trauma, vaginal health and tongue tie. Further workshops that have widened the services I offer include natural pain relief techniques, optimal positioning, acupressure, massage and aromatherapy.
I'm also passionate about having an inclusive approach and, rather than just talking the talk, I've engaged in further training to ensure I can fully support within culturally diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities. In terms of other inclusivity, I noticed that surrogates and intended parents also experience several failings by common healthcare systems, and sought to undertake further education specifically tailored around this. I have also done midwifery placements at two different trusts, both of which have very diverse patient populations. MBRACE are still highlighting that the BAME community have a higher rate of adverse outcomes, and this is also something that I have done further training on and actively look to change. Historically, people of BAME ethnicity or those at a higher risk of adverse outcomes were able to access my services for free if they were unable to pay. This is now being replaced with support from the Birth Beautiful Foundation (coming soon!).
In addition to my formal training, I have fantastic working relationships with my mentors, Alex Burner and Kemi Johnson, two hugely influential forces in the birthing world. They offer a wealth of knowledge, advice and further experience for me and my clients to draw upon. Their influence and wisdom guides the principles of my work and they are a fantastic resource for my own practice, to the further benefit of my clients.
For a full list of all the training I have completed, or if there is a specific area or speciality you would like to know more about, please just get in touch. Professional development is an ongoing process so the list is updated regularly.