Birth Consultancy Doula Preparation Course

... bringing community back to childbirth ...

(Doula UK recognised course)

Philosophy

At Birth Consultancy, our aim is to bring community back to childbirth through doulas who are committed to the grassroots values of the work that we do. Our course is Scotland based and uniquely focused on Scottish birth and parenting culture. We consider the role of the doula as a way of life, a way of being, and we believe doulas to be:

lay people, chosen by the parents-to-be rather than by the maternity care system
usually mothers themselves, who offer emotional and practical support to other women and their families during the time around childbirth
committed to a lifelong journey of learning, of sharing with women and honouring the birth of our babies

While we do not support the need for "professional training", we do acknowledge the need for a period of "preparation" before new doulas go out to support other women around the time of childbirth. This preparation is as much about pursuing our own personal journey as it is furthering our knowledge and skills in our role as a doula.

Birth Consultancy Doula Course embraces the spirituality of childbirth and aims to promote emotional wellbeing through pregnancy, to encourage gentle birth, and to support breastfeeding and positive parenting. We acknowledge that factors such as the mother or father's own birth and the way she or he was parented can impact on how they go forward to give birth and parent themselves, meaning that the path is not always smooth. Birth Consultancy doulas hold the hands of women and their partners as they embark on their own rites of passage to parenthood, not to advise or guide, rather to uphold their wishes in creating the birth and parenting experience that is right for them.

Doulas who have prepared with Birth Consultancy are committed to:

maintaining self awareness and a reflective attitude towards both personal and work related issues around birth and early parenting
maintaining excellent listening and communication skills
maintaining an attitude of humility and respect towards fellow humans and our environment
forging positive relationships with our midwifery colleagues
offering our services on a sliding scale as appropriate

Format of Programme

There are three/four components to the programme which must be completed within a maximum period of up to six months (or thereabouts depending on individual circumstance). A Certificate of Attendance will be issued on completion of the course. Ongoing access to support from your facilitator is available until your new doula mentorship process is established.

Self directed study pack:
The study pack component details key points for self-directed learning, ranging from conception through to the first three months of the postnatal period. While some subjects are mandatory, you can choose from other areas the issues that are of most interest to you. Reading and resource lists, plus local childbirth networks, are included. You are encouraged to work through your study pack at your own pace, maintaining contact with me as required. You need to read at least 4 titles from your essential reading list before attending the workshop.
Workshop - 16 hours (Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday - max 8 participants):
You are encouraged to attend the workshop component at any time that you feel ready whilst working through your study pack. Ideally you need to allow 4-6 weeks (less for midwives and antenatal teachers) to give yourself time to undertake the essential reading. The aims of the workshop are to consolidate areas of learning from research undertaken in the study pack, to acquire practical skills for supporting women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period and to prepare for setting up work as a doula. You will have the opportunity to share and explore some of your own birth and early parenting experiences as part of your journey toward gaining the confidence to effectively support other women.

Workshop dates:

2009

May 8th-10th (Dumfries)
June 19th-21st (Edinburgh)
September 4th-6th (Edinburgh)
November 13th-15th (Edinburgh)

Knowledge, Confidence and Support - a Doula's guide to helping Breastfeeding Mothers:
You are also required to attend this one day workshop with Katrina Hampson, Helping Mothers to Breastfeed, UNICEF BFI, as an integral part of your doula course unless you have qualified within the last 3 years as an ABM/La Leche League/NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor or an IBC Lactation Consultant. Please contact 01228-547965 or email Katrina Hampson for bookings, cost £35.

2009

Monday 11th May (Carlisle)
Monday 22nd June (Edinburgh)
Monday 14th September (Edinburgh)

Written assignment
You are required to complete one final piece of written work as a means of self-evaluation and reflection on learning. A range of styles and approaches are accepted, including audio recording if preferred, the work is assessed on an individualised basis supported by the skills and knowledge you have shown through your study and workshop sessions. You are expected to show that you understand the boundaries between giving support versus giving advice, which is not the doula's role. You should be able to illustrate an insight to your strengths as well as your weaknesses, and reaffirm your integrity and commitment to being with-women and to your ongoing learning and development.

Enrolment

Please email me to request an application form (or telephone 01387-740456). Your study pack will be sent out to you within 7-10 days on receipt of your application. Cost of full programme including Study Pack: £275.00, plus £35 for Breastfeeding Workshop if required.

Mentorship support for new doulas and affiliation to doula organisations

Doulas are lay people which means there is no government requirement for UK doulas to hold any professional qualification or certification or to be affiliated to any doula organisation. A new doula may have chosen to undertake a course of preparation however and to complement this by enlisting formal mentorship support as she starts out working as a doula. Ensuring that her own emotional and practical needs are met as a new doula in turn helps to ensure that she is fit and able to offer the best support to women and their families that she possibly can.

Membership of Doula UK (DUK) is open to all doulas working in the UK who have completed a DUK recognised doula course. The organisation aims to set a gold standard amongst the doula community through providing independent assessment and mentorship for new doulas. Doulas working in Scotland/Northern England have the opportunity to join the local Scottish Doula Network (SDN) as well (or as an alternative should they choose not to join DUK).

Adela
Stockton

Birth Consultancy Services