Doula Training FAQs

What is a doula and what does doula training involve?
A doula provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing people and their families, basically, you're their advocate and support person throughout their experience. Our doula training covers everything from birth physiology and comfort techniques to advocacy skills and how to run your professional practice. We offer two pathways: Birth & Postnatal Doula Training and Postnatal Doula Training, so you can choose what feels right for you.

What are the different doula training pathways?

Birth & Postnatal Doula Training (£1,395): This is our comprehensive training covering both birth and postnatal doula skills. You'll learn about birth physiology, the birth environment, birth rights and advocacy, safeguarding, trauma informed care and so so much more. It includes in-person training in North London, so you get that hands-on experience and nurturing environment with your fellow Doulas and mentors.

Postnatal Doula Training (£795): This course is a deep dive into supporting families during those precious (and sometimes overwhelming!) early weeks and months. a deep dive into postnatal care and support. It includes in-person training in North London, so you get that hands-on practise and nurturing with your fellow Doulas and mentors.

Is doula training accredited and do I need insurance?

Our doula training programs are FEDANT-accredited, FEDANT is the UK's leading regulatory body for birth professionals. We'll guide you through all the insurance and professional registration during your training.

What mentoring support is included in doula training?
This is something we're really passionate about. When you train with us you gain your certification and can begin to practise immediately with us alongside you mentoring you for a minimum of 12 months.

One-to-One Mentoring: This is included in your course fee for either your first birth or postnatal experience as a doula (or even a combined job if that's how it works out).

We give you:
A personal mentor allocated to you
WhatsApp support throughout your first doula experience
A full hour's debrief session afterwards to help you process everything

Group Mentoring: Ongoing support through:

Our Doula WhatsApp group for peer support and questions (honestly, this community is amazing)
Weekly online Doula chats where you can ask anything and connect with your peers
Access to experienced doulas whenever you need guidance

Additional Mentoring: If you want more 1-to-1 support beyond that first experience, it's available at £45 per hour for ongoing professional development.

Where does doula training take place?
Our Birth & Postnatal Doula Training is a mix of self paced study, live online learning and in-person training currently held in North London. Our aim is to make this training as accessible if we can but there's something really special about learning in person with your fellow students.

How long does doula training take to complete?
Training duration varies depending on which pathway you choose, but typically spans 4 months. All our programs include ongoing support, mentoring, and access to our doula community for continuous learning because the learning never stops in this work.

Can I specialise in birth or postnatal doula work?
Absolutely! Our training pathways let you focus on what calls to you:

Birth & Postnatal Doula Training prepares you for supporting families through both birth and the postnatal period
Postnatal Doula Training focuses specifically on that early parenthood support
Many doulas choose the comprehensive training so they can offer full perinatal support to families, but it's totally up to you and what feels right

What makes The Perinatal Academy's doula training unique?

There are quite a few things that make us different:

Full FEDANT accreditation with insurance access
That includs one-to-one mentoring for your first doula experience
Continuous group mentoring and peer support
Expert educators with extensive doula experience who really know their stuff
In-person practical training components
Our inclusive, culturally safe approach
Strong community and ongoing professional & personal development
A hybrid approach to learning, to hopefully make it super accessible for you
We're genuinely invested in your success, not just getting you through a course.

How much does doula training cost and are payment plans available?

Doula training costs:

• Birth & Postnatal Doula Training: £1,395

• Postnatal Doula Training: £795

Both programs include that one-to-one mentoring for your first doula experience, which is honestly invaluable. We offer payment plans on all courses. Early bird discounts are available too if you book in advance keep an eye out on our socials

Will I feel ready to support families after completing doula training?
We totally get that the idea of supporting someone through birth or those early weeks can feel overwhelming! That's exactly why we've built in so much support the mentoring, the community, the ongoing chats, resources and learning opportunities. Most of our graduates tell us they feel much more prepared than they expected, and remember, you'll have that one-to-one mentoring for your first experience. Plus, our community is always there when you need them. You've got this!

We love to chat about our Doula Training so do reach out. You can find all our course information and info packs here plus how to book a free call