Adela Stockton

... bringing community back to childbirth ...

Our course is suitable for anyone wishing to learn additional supportive skills as a lay person accompanying a mother or couple during labour, birth or the postnatal period. This is regardless of whether you go on to work formally as 'a doula' afterwards or not. It may be that the skills you acquire on the course simply complement the field of work you are already involved in, or are sufficient to better inform you while supporting a friend or family member on an occasional basis. All enquiries are very welcome.

*NEW*

20% discount for members of Scottish Birth Teachers Association

50% discount - Becca Preston award, one assisted place per core workshop session, on application

Philosophy

At Mindful Doulas, our aim is to bring community back to childbirth through doulas who are committed to the grassroots values of the work that we do. 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.

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

Our course embraces the celebration 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. Mindful 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.

Women who have prepared with Mindful Doulas 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

The course is Scotland based, uniquely focused on Scottish birth and parenting culture, and approved by Doula UK.

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 facilitators is available until your new doula mentorship process is established.

1. 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 your facilitator as required. You need to read at least 4 titles from your essential reading list before attending the workshop.

2. Core 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 around 3 weeks beforehand (less for midwives and antenatal teachers) to give yourself time to undertake the essential reading. The principal aims of the workshop are to:

• consolidate areas of learning from reading and research undertaken in the study pack
• to acquire practical (non-medical) skills for supporting women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period
• to prepare for setting up your business 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.

Core Workshop Dates 2010/11

• Sunday 22nd August 2010 (Livingston, Edinburgh)
• October (tbc)

4. 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, particularly if you plan to work as a doula on an ongoing basis.

Enrolment

Please contact me to request an application form (or telephone 01387-740456). Your study pack will be sent out to you on receipt of your enrolment fee. Cost of full programme including Study Pack: £290.00, plus £35 for Breastfeeding Workshop if required.

What others say about the course:

"I found the programme excellent, providing both a strong foundation for my doula training and a support network for the future. Thank you for sharing your doula wisdom!"

"I am so glad to have had such a positive start on my doula journey, everything about the course made me realise how much I want to do this work, and has given me the confidence to begin."

"The course was very good value for money. I was surprised at the amount of reading required, but in a good way, as I have found all the resources to be inspiring and insightful!"

"Gentle, friendly presentation with informal delivery, backed up by a wealth of knowledge. Adela and Nicola complement each other well and are very supportive of the students." 

"It was great working with the different personalities in our workshop group. Adela was calm, positive and easy to raise concerns with. Plenty of time for everyone to share and contribute."

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. Where a new doula has chosen to undertake a course of preparation however, she may choose 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, helps her to offer quality support to the birthing families she works with.

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 peer support group Scottish Doula Network (SDN) as well (or as an alternative should they choose not to join DUK).