We are shaking up the Doula Model! 

The Continuum Doula preparation course is totally unique as we have workshops included from other birth professionals throughout the week.
These may include:
  • A pottery session- making our bowls for self care
  • Birth anatomy and physiology with an Active birth teacher
  • Creating a 'Beaded Birth line' to use with clients
  • Learning all about the placenta and making smoothies/ tinctures with a specialist
  • Infant feeding top tips with a breastfeeding counsellor
  • Understanding the midwives role and birth emergencies with an independent midwife 
  • The politics of Parent hood. Understanding the NHS system, being inclusive and culturally competent and more with an MVP representative
  • Creating and taking away a set of birth/parenting affirmations and 'dilation' flags to use with clients 
  • Learning how to take a good antenatal/birth/postnatal picture, with a professional birth photographer
  • An afternoon of alchemy exploring and creating things that are commonly found and used in the Doula bag- all firmly rooted in our boundaries! 
  • We also have lots of drop in local birth workers, midwives and Doulas coming to share their knowledge! 
We are fully accredited and part of the Doula Uk family! Read about who Doula Uk are here! https://doula.org.uk/​

Additional extras

There are also 'add on' options available at additional, reasonable costs such as:
  • Morning Yoga specifically designed with Doulas in mind 
  • Baby first aid (evening session) 
  • Diving into self care- an evening deepening EYP techniques, addressing personal boundaries- taking care of yourselves and others (more details to follow) 
  • Head shots for your website. This is done with our photographer and can be done at various points. 
  • Birth trauma therapy (available in person in the evening and online)
  • Film nights 
  • Reasonably priced website design
  • Access to local massage therapists 

Here is an over view of what you may expect on the week long
​Doula preparation course:

DAY ONE

Foundations 

  • Morning Yoga 
  • The history and role of the doula- the Continuum way
  • Our language
  • Stepping out of expert role
  • Recognising our triggers and bias, being trauma informed
  • Listening in action
  • The reflective Doula
  • Pottery Workshop- self care. 
  • Quiet time for daily reflection in workbook 

DAY TWO

Pregnancy and Birth

  • Morning Yoga 
  • The Continuum Doula approach in pregnancy 
  • Antenatal visits- ideas and structures
  • Including the partner/family- Ideas for practice
  • Life 'on call' 
  • Making and using a Beaded Birth line/Birth flags
  • Birth Emergencies workshop
  • Birth Physiology and Active birth workshop
  • Quiet time for daily reflection in workbook 

DAY THREE

Postnatal 

  • Morning Yoga 
  • The Continuum Doula approach in the postnatal period, being attachment aware
  • Postnatal visits- ideas and structures
  • Supporting the whole family in transition to parenthood
  • Exploring Perinatal mental health 
  • Navigating the NHS structures- who to contact etc?
  • Placenta workshop
  • Quiet time for daily reflection in workbook 

DAY FOUR

Infant feeding 

  • Morning Yoga 
  • The Continuum Doula approach to infant feeding 
  • Supporting your client with feeding decisions
  • Knowledge base 
  • Signposting & working along side HCP's
  • The politics of parenthood work shop 
  • Quiet time for daily reflection in workbook 

DAY FIVE

Business and alchemy 

  • Morning Yoga 
  • The Continuum Doula approach to running a Doula business  
  • Contracts, agreements, fees insurance & more
  • Understanding the DUK mentorship pathway   
  • Safeguarding, lone working & social media guidelines
  • Setting up your business with the HMRC
  • An afternoon of alchemy a workshop full of lotion and potions, doula bag contents and exploration of boundaries   
  • Closing ceremony. Group salt bowl  and setting of intentions