How to become a Doula in the UK
We birth confident Doulas
If you want to create safe, respectful spaces where parents feel held, seen, and able to make their own choices, wherever and however they birth then you’re in the right place!
Our Doula training has been created by experienced, passionate Doulas and UK birth activists who care deeply about doing this work well and supporting you to do it your way. From the very beginning, we’ve built this course around the belief that Doula work changes lives and that you don’t need to do it alone.
We already believe you’ve got the heart of a Doula. Our job is to help you build the skills, confidence and knowledge to back that up. You’ll learn how to offer practical, emotional and informational support through pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum days. But more than that, you’ll get the space to figure out what kind of Doula you want to be because there’s no one way to do this work.
You’ll be mentored through your first birth, and supported for at least 12 months afterwards. You’ll also join The Perinatal Collective, our tight-knit, big-hearted community of birth workers. It’s a space for learning, connection, deep dives, and shared wisdom. A place where you can bring your questions, celebrate your wins, iit’s your Doula family!
Our content is deep, inclusive, evidence-based and genuinely transformational. We’re here to birth confident, connected Doulas. And we’d love to welcome you in!
Our Doula training gives you
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Our Doula course combines over 30 hours of live, interactive teaching with a flexible structure that fits around real life. It’s inclusive, evidence-based, and rooted in advocacy and real-world support, not just theory. You'll get space to ask questions, dig into what this work really looks like, and build your Doula foundations that will last.
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Which includes:
Foundation work - online self paced:
Physiology of Birth
The Birth Environment
Medicalisation of Birth
Live online training over 2 days and 2 evenings:
Doula Beginnings
Being with Families in Birth
Being with Families Postpartum
Doula PracticalitiesJoin us in person for:
Doula Practical Day (currently in North London)PLUS: Live modules covering:
Birth Rights and Consent with Emma Ashworth
Supporting All Births with Mars Lord
LGBTQIA + Inclusivity Training -
We learn online and in person, which our Doulas tell us is idea to get the best out of both worlds.
Online learning is so flexible, but then we get together in person, which enriches the whole experience without added a lot more to the investment for hotel stays and travel. -
Our FEDANT accredited Doula Course means you will be listed on the national register of Doulas in the UK so expectant parents can search for you when looking for Doulas in their area.
It also means you can be confident our training has met the FEDANT standard
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Mentoring and guidance from experienced Doulas and some of the leading voices in the UK birth industry! Our team is exceptional, and every one of us is a practising birth professional supporting parents day in and day out in our community.
Meet us here -
When you train as a Doula with us, you’re not doing it alone. You become part of The Perinatal Collective our supportive, welcoming community of birth workers (included in your training for 12 months, with a small monthly fee if you want to stay on after that).
It genuinely feels like a family. You’ll get access to ongoing workshops, mentoring, real-life support, and a place to ask all the questions that come up once you’re actually out there supporting families, because that’s when the real learning begins.
There’s also a regular stream of business inspiration, content ideas, and practical tools to help you launch, grow, and sustain your Doula work in a way that fits your life. This part is priceless honestly!
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Feeling wobbly before your first ever birth? Totally normal and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you want to run through any what-ifs, get a confidence boost, or just need someone to say “you’ve got this,” we’re here. And when that first client books in? You’d better believe we’re cheering right alongside you!
Self-employed life can feel a bit lonely sometimes, but being part of The Perinatal Collective means you’re never doing it solo. You’ve got us behind you who get it, to cheer you on, pick you up, and remind you that you’re part of something genuinely special!
£1,395
Payment plans available
What does a Doula do?
At The Perinatal Academy we think of Doulas as Birth Companions, who walk alongside expectant parents for much longer than just their labour journey. Doulas offer information, a non judgmental listening ear, practical, physical and emotional support in pregnancy, birth and the newborn days.
Some people think that Doulas are only for the super rich, or for parents who only want to free birth, the truth is there is a Doula that would suit every family and being one can have the most positive effect on a families experience, and your own fulfilment!
Being a Doula is a calling and heart led work, usually a case of when not if. You have probably have already been caring, advocating and nurturing people in one way or another throughout your life. You may have had a life experience that set you on this path, but if the desire is in you you are well on your way to fulfilling it.
For more information about what your life as a Doula could look like for you and your family, earning potential, first steps and more, get a copy of our brochure below
We have accreditation from FEDANT a UK-based regulatory body for antenatal educators, breastfeeding counselors, and doulas.
What this means for you is you can be satisfied that our course content is of a really high standard, you will be able to sign up to the national register so parents can search for you, plus you have access to lower insurance rates.
