Doula Training UK: Become the Birth Worker Women Actually Need

IPHM-Accredited Online & In-Person Doula Training

IPHM-accredited online and in-person doula training combining physiology, advocacy, Behavioural Dynamics and mentorship through your first five births.

✔ Online or immersive five day training

✔ Lifetime access to the learning centre

✔ Mentorship through your first five births

✔ Monthly live Zoom sessions

✔ Rated 4.9★ from 77 Trustpilot reviews

✔ Learn to support birth without bringing your own fears into the room

Online £999 | In Person £1,599 | Payment Plans Available

Doula Training At A Glance

Choose your format: Complete online doula training at your own pace, or five days of immersive in person training with Nickita plus lifetime access to the complete online course.

  • Accreditation: IPHM accredited.

  • What you’ll learn: Physiological birth, practical doula skills, informed consent, advocacy, human rights, postnatal support, Behavioural Dynamics and the inner work that shapes who you become in the birth room.

  • What’s included: Six modules with 28+ hours of teaching, lifetime access to the online learning centre, mentorship through your first five births, ongoing student and graduate community, live Zoom sessions, certification pathway and directory listing.

  • Online training: £999: Begin immediately and complete the full training at your own pace, with mentorship, community and ongoing support included.

  • In person training: £1,599: Everything included in the complete online pathway, plus five immersive days training in person with Nickita and your cohort, with practical learning and direct teaching in the room.

Pregnant woman taking part in a practical skills session during WPCTS doula training

Students attending an in-person WPCTS doula training session with online participants on screen
The best investment I have ever made. Life changing!
Charlotte, Student
I have never felt so empowered in my life as much as I do now. Not only is the content amazing but the way she teaches was so informative engaging and I know nowhere else would have taught me what she did
Lema, Student

Whether you are doing this course to help guide you through your pregnancy and birth, or you yourself want to become a doula, you must MUST choose WPCTS.

Laura Hallam, Student review on Trustpilot

Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot from 77 reviews
Independent reviews for When Push Comes To Shove services.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

You don’t need to fit a particular mould to belong here. What matters is the way you want to enter this work.

WPCTS doula training student feedback and course information

Perhaps your own experience of birth changed something in you. Maybe you have watched your daughter, friend or another woman navigate maternity care and known there had to be another way. Perhaps you simply feel called to birth work and want an education that goes beyond learning techniques and earning a certificate…

This course is for women who want to understand birth AND themselves. You will learn physiological birth, practical support, informed consent, advocacy, human rights and how to navigate complex situations within maternity care. You will also explore your own beliefs, patterns and responses so that you can recognise what belongs to you and remain centred on the woman you are there to support.

You may be completely new to birth work, already supporting women, working within maternity care, or bringing years of life experience into a new calling. You do not need to arrive knowing everything. You need to be willing to learn, question, reflect and take responsibility for the person you bring into the birth room.

WHAT MAKES THIS COURSE DIFFERENT?

Birth knowledge matters. So does the person bringing that knowledge into the BIRTH room.

You can learn physiology, comfort measures, advocacy and informed consent, but you also bring yourself into every birth you attend…

Your beliefs, fears, relationship with authority and instinct to rescue or protect can influence how you respond when pressure rises.

Through the Starck Method and Behavioural Dynamics, this training helps you understand your own patterns alongside learning how to support women. The aim is to recognise what belongs to you, remain aware of your influence in the room, and keep the woman at the centre of her own experience and decisions.

You will learn how to understand physiological birth, support informed decision making, navigate maternity services and social services, understand human rights and advocate effectively without taking over.

This is why our graduates repeatedly describe the training as far more than a doula course. The knowledge changes how they support birth. The inner work often changes how they understand themselves.

“This course is incredible. Not only do you learn about physiological birth, you learn how to support a woman through pregnancy and birth. I can be part of positive change for women ready to take responsibility for their births back. Peace on earth begins at birth.”

 

Haze, Student

I absolutely loved this course! I have been an antenatal teacher since 2015 so I already know quite a bit about birth but this course was so insightful and inspiring. It's not just a "course" it makes you look deeply within and assess many areas of your life so that you can be the best support to your clients.

Yvette, Student review on Trustpilot

I have just completed the doula course and I am truly blown away with how amazing it was. So much useful information and presented in such a fun and positive way making it really easy to learn and providing confidence in myself. I have come away feeling so excited with what is to come for myself and also feeling so connected and supported thanks to Nickita and Rachel.

Miss R Spencer, Student review on Trustpilot

THE COURSE

Across six core modules and 28+ hours of teaching, you will build a detailed understanding of pregnancy, physiological birth, complexity, postnatal care, human rights and advocacy, alongside the Behavioural Dynamics and inner work that shape how you support women in practice.

Work through the training at your own pace with lifetime access to the online learning centre, then bring that learning into practice with mentorship and support through your first five births.

Click on each module to view its content and learning outcomes.

This is where it begins, not with birth anatomy, but with you. Before you can hold space for another woman in the most vulnerable moment of her life, you need to understand what you’re carrying into that room. This module is the reason our course produces birth workers who are genuinely different.

What you’ll explore
  • What birth trauma actually is  and why it’s almost always secondary, not primary. Birth doesn’t usually create the wound. It reveals where the system already learned to protect itself.
  • The historical context of birth how women were gradually removed from their own authority, and what that has cost us as a species
  • Generational trauma and how it passes through families  drawing on the work of Dr. Gabor Maté, you’ll understand why a woman’s birth experience is shaped by her mother’s, and her grandmother’s before that
  • How trauma lives in the body  not just the mind  and why it can manifest as physical symptoms, anxiety, panic attacks, and mistrust long before a woman steps into a birth room
  • The importance of pre-birth healing  and why unresolved trauma in the birth worker is one of the most overlooked risks in the room
  • Egoic archetypes  using Dr. Shefali’s framework, you’ll identify your own patterns (The Giver, The Controller, The Taker and their sub-types) and how they show up in birth work if left unexamined
  • Becoming your authentic self — the difference between serving from wholeness and serving from wounds

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Understand what birth trauma actually is — and why it is almost always secondary, revealing pre-existing wounds rather than creating new ones
  2. Recognise how generational trauma passes through families and shapes a woman’s experience of pregnancy and birth before she even enters a room
  3. Identify your own egoic patterns — The Giver, The Controller, The Taker and their sub-types — and understand how they can show up unconsciously in birth work
  4. Understand how unresolved trauma manifests in the body and why pre-birth healing in both the mother and the birth worker matter
  5. Begin the process of separating who you authentically are from the survival adaptations and conditioning you’ve accumulated — and understand why this is the foundation of everything that follows

This module asks something of you. You’ll be looking at your own history your childhood, your relationship to your body, your patterns under pressure. It can be confronting. It is also, for most students, the most transformative thing they do.

Modern medicine treats pregnancy as a series of symptoms to be managed. This module restores the fuller picture — a pregnancy that is nourished physically, emotionally, and spiritually, with a woman who understands her body and trusts it.

What you’ll explore
  • The triad of health — body, mind and soul — and why addressing only the physical misses most of what shapes a pregnancy
  • How trauma, toxicity and deprivation affect each layer of health — and what that means in practice for a pregnant woman
  • Nutrition in pregnancy — drawing on Dr. Tom Brewer’s research into blood volume, albumin, and the real causes of pre-eclampsia (and why salt restriction can make things worse, not better)
  • Why the common advice given to pregnant women is often not evidence-based — and what a truly nourished pregnancy looks like
  • Natural alternatives to drugs — herbal teas, tinctures, essential oils, and traditional remedies that birth workers have used for centuries, with guidance on when and how to use them safely
  • Common interventions during pregnancy — gestational diabetes, ultrasounds, CTG — understanding what the evidence actually says, and how to support a woman in making genuinely informed choices about each one
  • The domino effect of interventions — how one leads to another, and how to help a woman see that clearly without telling her what to decide

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Understand the triad of health — body, mind and soul — and how trauma, toxicity and deprivation affect each layer during pregnancy
  2. Explain the physiological role of nutrition in pregnancy, including blood volume expansion, the function of albumin, and why pre-eclampsia is often a nutritional issue rather than a mystery
  3. Identify common natural alternatives to medical interventions — herbal teas, tinctures, essential oils and traditional remedies — and understand when and how they are used safely
  4. Critically evaluate common pregnancy interventions including gestational diabetes screening, ultrasounds and CTG — understanding what the evidence actually shows versus what is routinely presented to women
  5. Support a pregnant woman in understanding the domino effect of interventions so she can make genuinely informed decisions rather than ones driven by fear or incomplete information

This module equips you to have conversations with pregnant women that their midwives often won’t. Not to replace medical care — but to ensure no woman is making decisions without the full picture.

 

This is the heart of the physiological education. Birth is not a medical procedure , it is a hormone-driven, body-led process that works extraordinarily well when it’s not interrupted. This module teaches you to understand that process deeply, so you can protect it.

What you’ll explore
  • Signs of labour — mucous plug, bloody show, nesting, the baby dropping, and what each one means (and doesn’t mean) about timing
  • The stages of labour — and why the textbook version is a myth. Birth is fluid, individual, and cannot be timetabled. You’ll understand why hospital timelines are often the problem, not the solution
  • Vaginal exams — are they necessary? You’ll look at the evidence, the risks (including infection and psychological impact), and how to support a woman in understanding she can decline
  • Birth physiology and anatomy — the uterus, cervix, pelvis, placenta and the extraordinary coordination of muscles during a contraction
  • The role of hormones — oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, prolactin, relaxin — and why the environment a woman births in directly affects whether these hormones can do their job
  • Positioning and gravity — why lying on your back reduces the pelvic outlet by up to 30%, and which positions open the body and work with it
  • How to support a woman through labour — massage, essential oils, the rebozo, water, affirmations, movement, presence. Being a human being, not just a human doing

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Recognise the full range of signs of labour — including prodromal labour — and understand what each signals about the body’s preparation, without imposing a timeline on it.
  2. Explain why the textbook stages of labour are a framework, not a rule — and why birth is a fluid, individual process that is best supported when left undisturbed
  3. Understand the full role of hormones in labour — oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, prolactin and relaxin — and how the birth environment directly affects whether they can function
  4. Apply a range of practical support techniques during labour — positioning, massage, the rebozo, essential oils, hydrotherapy, affirmations, and presence — drawing on the mother’s needs in real time
  5. Understand vaginal exams — their purpose, their limitations, their risks, and a woman’s right to decline them — so you can support informed decision-making without pressure in either direction
  6. Explain birth physiology and anatomy clearly — the uterus, cervix, pelvis, placenta and the coordination of muscles during a contraction — so you can help a woman understand and trust what her body is doing

By the end of this module you will understand birth better than most people who have attended hundreds of them inside the hospital system — because you’ll understand what birth is supposed to look like undisturbed.

 

This module gives you the knowledge to support women who are being pushed toward interventions — with compassion, without fear, and with the evidence to back up whatever they choose. It is one of the most practically important modules in the course.

What you’ll explore
  • The “high risk” label — what it actually means, when it’s appropriate, and when it’s applied so broadly it loses all meaning. Including specific discussions of VBAC, BMI, advanced maternal age, and previous caesarean
  • The BRAIN framework — Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing — the single most useful tool you can give a woman facing a recommendation she’s unsure about
  • Induction of labour — methods (sweep, Propess, ARM, Syntocinon, cervical balloon), the evidence for and against, the rising rates in the UK, and how to support a woman in making a fully informed choice. Including what the final weeks of pregnancy are actually doing for a baby’s immune system
  • “Overdue” — why the concept is largely constructed, what the actual stillbirth statistics show, and why emotional readiness and baby position are often bigger factors than the calendar
  • Pain relief — Entonox, pethidine, epidural, sterile water injections, TENS, hydrotherapy — honest pros and cons for each, including effects on the baby that are often not disclosed
  • Caesarean sections — how the surgery is performed, the short and long-term implications including microbiome disruption, the financial incentives driving rising rates, and a woman’s right to consent or decline
  • Where to give birth — the evidence on home birth vs hospital birth (including for “high risk” women), and how to support a woman in choosing the environment where she feels safest

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Critically evaluate the “high risk” label — understanding when it is clinically meaningful and when it is applied so broadly it functions as a tool of compliance rather than safety
  2. Use the BRAIN framework (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing) confidently with clients facing any recommendation they are uncertain about
  3. Explain the full range of induction methods, the evidence for and against induction before 42 weeks, and the implications for the baby of being born before the final weeks of immune system development are complete
  4. Present honest, balanced information on all forms of pain relief — including their effects on the baby — so a woman can make a genuinely informed choice rather than a fear-driven one
  5. Understand caesarean sections in full — the procedure, the short and long-term implications including microbiome disruption, the financial incentives driving rising rates, and every woman’s right to consent to or decline the surgery
  6. Support a woman in choosing where to give birth based on evidence, her individual circumstances, and where she feels safest — not based on what the system defaults to

This module does not tell women what to choose. It ensures they have what the system often withholds  the full picture.

Birth doesn’t end when the baby arrives. The hours and weeks that follow are as sacred as the labour itself  and as vulnerable to unnecessary interference. This module teaches you to protect that time and support both mother and baby through it.

What you’ll explore
  • The golden hour — what it is, why it matters, and why it is so often disrupted by routine procedures that could wait. The evidence on stress reduction, vital sign stability, temperature regulation, infection protection, and breastfeeding establishment
  • Breastfeeding — the science of breast milk (tailored antibodies, microbiome seeding, temperature response), common challenges, how to support a woman through them, and the practical tips that actually make a difference
  • Postnatal care — observing the baby’s physical health indicators (fontanelle, sleeping patterns, hunger cues), checking for tongue tie, recognising early signs that something needs attention
  • Understanding baby language — Dr. Priscilla Dunstan’s research on the five universal newborn sounds and what each one is communicating
  • Vaccinations — presented as contrasting studies for discussion. You will not be told what to think. You will be given the information and trusted to support mothers in making their own informed decisions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Explain the importance of the golden hour — the evidence on stress reduction, temperature regulation, microbiome seeding, breastfeeding establishment and bonding — and advocate for it being protected unless a genuine emergency requires otherwise
  2. Support a mother through the early breastfeeding journey — understanding the composition and function of colostrum and breast milk, recognising common challenges, and knowing when to refer for specialist support
  3. Observe and assess a newborn’s physical health indicators — fontanelle, sleeping patterns, feeding cues, tongue tie — and understand the difference between what requires attention and what is normal variation
  4. Recognise the five universal newborn sounds identified by Dr. Priscilla Dunstan and use this understanding to help new mothers feel less overwhelmed and more attuned to their baby
  5. Present contrasting evidence on vaccinations in a balanced and non-coercive way, supporting mothers in making their own informed decisions without pressure in either direction

The postnatal period is when many birth workers step back. This module teaches you to stay present because the support a mother receives in the first days and weeks shapes far more than people realise.

 

This is the module that makes WPCTS unlike anything else. Not just birth knowledge — but the tools to advocate, navigate, and protect. Including in situations most doula courses don’t acknowledge even exist.

What you’ll explore
  • Human rights in pregnancy and birth — the crucial difference between guidelines and law. NICE guidelines are recommendations, not mandates. Every woman has the right to decline any intervention, at any time, for any reason
  • Evidence-based care — and why only around 8% of maternity practices are backed by Category A evidence. How to read research critically and help mothers do the same
  • The Socratic approach to advocacy — teaching women to ask the right questions. How to guide a woman to challenge a recommendation without telling her what to decide
  • Navigating social services — supporting women who are being investigated, pressured, or threatened because of their birth choices. This is a rare and vital skill that is almost never taught on other courses
  • The Beverley Beech Project — the work WPCTS does specifically for women facing legal or safeguarding pressure around their birth choices
  • Crafting a birth plan — not just preferences, but a clear document that covers location, attendance, interventions, post-birth wishes, emergency scenarios, and ambiance. A communication tool that protects a woman through shift changes
  • Structuring your practice — on-call considerations, contracts, boundaries, client packages, what to charge, how to find clients, shadowing, and how to know when to say no

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Clearly distinguish between guidelines and law — understanding that NICE guidelines and hospital policies are recommendations, not mandates, and that every woman has the legal right to decline any intervention at any time
  2. Apply the Socratic method of advocacy — guiding a woman to ask the right questions of her care providers rather than telling her what to decide, preserving her autonomy while ensuring she has the full picture
  3. Support women who are facing pressure, investigation or threats from social services because of their birth choices — understanding the legal landscape, the WPCTS Beverley Beech Project, and how to advocate without overstepping
  4. Create a comprehensive, effective birth plan that covers location, attendance, interventions, post-birth wishes, emergency preferences and ambiance — functioning as a real advocacy document through shift changes and handovers
  5. Structure a sustainable birth work practice — including contracts, boundaries, pricing, client packages, on-call management and how to find clients — so you can serve well without burning out

The social services navigation section alone is worth the course fee for many of our students. These women exist. They deserve an advocate who is prepared.

 

We don’t believe birth workers need to be poor. There is no virtue in financial scarcity especially when more resources mean more women you can reach and support. This bonus module is about building a practice that genuinely sustains you.

What you’ll explore
  • Your financial blueprint — drawing on T. Harv Eker’s work, understanding the childhood conditioning and beliefs that shape your relationship with money, and actively rewriting the ones that are keeping you small
  • Passive income streams that align with birth work — affiliate marketing, creating your own courses, writing and selling ebooks, licensing your content, online workshops and subscription models
  • Marketing your practice — defining your unique value, building an online presence, content creation, networking in your local community, testimonials, referrals, and paid advertising
  • Crafting your service packages — antenatal sessions, birth attendance, postnatal support, specialist services. How to price competitively and offer payment plans that make your work accessible without undervaluing it
  • How to collaborate with WPCTS — course promotion, community building, and the mutual amplification of your work and ours

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Identify the childhood conditioning and limiting beliefs shaping your current relationship with money — and actively begin rewriting the financial blueprint that has kept many birth workers in unnecessary scarcity
  2. Build at least one passive income stream aligned with your birth work — whether through affiliate partnerships, a course, an ebook, or a subscription model — so your income is not solely dependent on your time
  3. Market your practice with clarity and confidence — defining your unique value, building an online presence, gathering testimonials, and reaching the women who need you
  4. Design service packages that reflect the true value of your work, make your services accessible through payment plans, and position you as a professional not a volunteer

A birth worker who is financially stressed cannot give her full self to the women she serves. This module is an act of care for you, and for everyone who will come to you for support.

FROM ENROLMENT TO QUALIFICATION

Your training doesn’t end when you finish the modules.

From the moment you enrol, you begin a supported pathway from learning the foundations of birth work to putting that knowledge into practice. You receive lifetime access to the complete online course, join the WPCTS community, work with a mentor through your first five births and continue to access live teaching and community support beyond qualification.

The course material is available immediately. You’ll also receive a link to join our WhatsApp community — two groups that become central to your training and your practice beyond it.

Your welcome pack is posted to you (Unless you have enrolled in-person) While you wait for it, the learning begins.

 

Welcome pack sent to students who train with When Push Comes To Shove

Two WhatsApp groups are waiting for you. The first is the student area — exclusively for current students, where you’ll meet your fellow trainees, the WPCTS mentors, ask questions, and get support as you work through the material. The second is the wider WPCTS birth keeper community — everyone who has ever trained with us, from brand new students to experienced birth keepers and midwives around the world.

Keep an eye on both for announcements, opportunities, and community shout outs when enquiries come in from your area.

 

WPCTS online doula training and student community information

In the student area you’ll meet the WPCTS mentors and choose the one that feels right for you. Your mentor is your personal point of contact throughout your training and beyond — there to answer questions, support you through your first births, and help you reflect on what you’re learning.

The online course can be completed in as little as two weeks if you go full pelt, or spread over up to six months — it’s entirely up to you and your life. There’s no deadline pressure. Each module builds on the last, and you’ll need to pass a short quiz before moving to the next one.

This is the part past students talk about more than anything else. Twice a month, a WPCTS mentor hosts a live Zoom for the whole community. Topics rotate and go deep — placenta knowledge, social services guidance, induction, navigating specific birth situations, business building, and more. These aren’t generic webinars. They’re real, specialist education that keeps growing long after the course ends.

You’re not paying for a course. You’re paying for indefinite access to a living, breathing education.

After finishing the course material, you begin attending births. Each one is supported by your mentor — not necessarily in person, but through a one-to-one Zoom before the birth to prepare, and a birth reflection session afterwards to process and learn. Your mentor is with you throughout this period, available when you need them.

You don’t have to attend a birth immediately — take your time. The community is there while you find your feet.

Once you’ve completed five births and your mentor is satisfied you’re ready, you receive your IPHM accredited certificate as a fully recognised WPCTS doula. You’re added to the directory, eligible for client referrals from our website, and the community shout outs continue — we actively help our graduates find work.

Most students choose to be added to the directory as students from the start, so you can begin building visibility even before you qualify.

Several in-person meet-ups happen every year across the UK. The WhatsApp community is active every day. The monthly Zooms keep going. The knowledge keeps deepening. Most of our graduates describe the community as the thing that changed their lives — not just their birth work.

 

WPCTS doula training student feedback and course information

Course Format

Learn in the way that works for you.

The online course combines pre recorded teaching from Nickita, highlights from previous live sessions, visual learning resources, slides, infographics and a comprehensive coursebook to help you understand and integrate the material in different ways You can work through the training at your own pace and return to the material whenever you need it, with lifetime access to the online learning centre.

Your learning continues beyond the recorded course through live Zoom sessions, the WPCTS community and mentorship as you begin attending births and putting what you have learned into practice.

If you choose the in person training, you also receive the complete online course with lifetime access, alongside five immersive days learning directly with Nickita and your cohort.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO TRAIN

Both options include the full online training, lifetime access, mentorship through your first five births, ongoing community support and your pathway to certification. Choose online study for maximum flexibility, or join us in person for five immersive days learning directly with Nickita alongside your cohort.

Start your journey

ONLINE TRAINING

£999
  • Start immediately and learn at your own pace from anywhere.
  • Complete 6 module online doula training
  • 28+ hours of teaching across 29 lessons
  • Lifetime access to Learning Center
  • Mentorship through your first five births
  • Ongoing student and graduate community
  • Certification pathway
  • Regular live Zoom sessions
  • WPCTS practitioner directory listing
  • Welcome pack
  • £999 · Payment options available

START ONLINE TRAINING

Register now

IN PERSON TRAINING

£1599
  • Everything included in the complete £999 online pathway, plus five immersive days training in person with Nickita and your cohort.
  • Five days of in person teaching with Nickita
  • Practical and experiential learning with your cohort
  • Lifetime Access To Learning Center
  • Lifetime access to the complete online course
  • Mentorship through your first five births
  • Ongoing student and graduate community
  • Regular live Zoom sessions
  • Course handbook and WPCTS bag
  • WPCTS practitioner directory listing
  • Access To Self Development Mini Course
  • Access To Freebirth Preparation Course
  • Access To Navigate The System Course

Buckinghamshire – November 2026

 

Spread payments with Klarna or Clearpay
18+, T&C apply, Credit subject to status.

Screenshot showing student feedback for When Push Comes To Shove doula training
Screenshot showing a testimonial from a When Push Comes To Shove doula training student

How to become a doula in the UK

There is no single legally required route to becoming a doula in the UK, and doulas are not clinically regulated in the same way as midwives. You do not need a medical qualification or previous birth experience to begin your training.

What matters is receiving a strong education in birth, understanding the boundaries of the doula role and developing the self awareness needed to support women without taking over their experience or decisions.

A doula does not provide clinical care. She offers emotional, physical, practical and informational support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. She can help women understand their options, ask informed questions, prepare for birth and navigate maternity care while remaining centred on the woman’s own choices.

The WPCTS doula training combines comprehensive birth education with Behavioural Dynamics and the Starck Method, because knowing about birth is only part of becoming an effective birth worker. You will also explore how your own beliefs, responses and patterns can influence the way you support women.

Your training covers physiological birth, pregnancy, interventions, informed consent, advocacy, human rights, postnatal care and building your practice. You will then be supported through your first five mentored births as you move from learning into real practice.

What you will learn on this doula training course

You will learn how to support women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period with a strong understanding of birth physiology, practical doula skills and the emotional awareness required to work responsibly with women and families.

Your training includes:

Physiological birth: Understand how labour and birth work when physiology is supported, what influences the birth environment and how to recognise normal physiological processes.

Pregnancy health and preparation: Explore nutrition, wellbeing, common pregnancy concerns and approaches to supporting women as they prepare for birth.

Interventions and complex birth: Understand induction, caesarean birth, pain relief, place of birth and common interventions so you can help women explore their options and make informed decisions.

Informed consent, advocacy and human rights: Learn how consent works, understand the difference between policy and law and develop the skills to support women navigating maternity services and social services without taking over their decisions.

Behavioural Dynamics and inner work: Explore your own beliefs, patterns, responses to authority and instinct to rescue or protect, developing the self awareness needed to keep the woman at the centre of her own birth.

Postnatal care: Learn about the golden hour, breastfeeding, early postnatal support and the transition into life after birth.

Building your doula practice: Learn the foundations of establishing your work, finding clients, communicating what you offer and creating a sustainable practice.

Mentored entry into practice: Your learning continues beyond the course material with mentorship through your first five births, helping you reflect on real experiences and develop confidence as you begin supporting women.

Online and in-person doula training options

Choose the training format that works best for the way you want to learn. Both pathways include the complete online doula training, lifetime access to the learning centre, ongoing community, live Zoom sessions, mentorship through your first five births and your pathway to certification.

Online Doula Training: £999

Start whenever you are ready and complete the training at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You will receive immediate access to the full six module online course and become part of the WPCTS community from the moment you enrol. Your learning continues as you move into practice, with mentorship through your first five births and ongoing access to the community and live learning beyond qualification.

In-person training: £1,599

Join Nickita for five immersive days of in person training alongside a small cohort, while also receiving everything included in the complete online pathway. You will learn together in the room through teaching, discussion and practical experience, then retain lifetime access to the complete online course so you can revisit the material whenever you need it.

The in person pathway includes mentorship through your first five births, ongoing community and live learning, your certification pathway and access to additional WPCTS learning resources.

Just finished my course with Nickita and I am so happy and grateful for this experience! I will continue to use this knowledge forever! She’s so caring and the best “teacher” you could wish for x

Niamh Keane, Student

A really positive and uplifting experience. Nickita is so welcoming and helpful. Rachel is wonderful too. I really recommend this course to anyone considering becoming a doula. I feel I have the knowledge and confidence to begin supporting women through pregnancy, labour and beyond. Thank you!

Tina, Student review on Trustpilot

EXTENDED COURSE INFORMATION

Imagine stepping into a space where you feel confident, prepared, and deeply connected to the work of supporting women through pregnancy and birth. Our training is built on an ethos of holistic learning, intuitive practice, and compassionate advocacy, ensuring that you gain both the knowledge and the embodied wisdom needed to guide others through this transformative experience.

This course is designed to take you from curious beginner to capable, compassionate birth worker, whether you choose our self-paced online learning, live Zoom training, or immersive in-person experience. You’ll walk away not just with skills, but with the confidence, intuition, and support network to step fully into your calling.

Start your journey today and become the doula you were meant to be.

Are you ready to be at the forefront of change in childbirth care? Our Certified Childbirth Companion & Advocacy Course offers something extraordinary – a deep and transformative journey into emotional and spiritual growth. This is not just an educational program; it’s an awakening. By integrating this crucial component, we empower you to become more than just a birth companion; you become a catalyst for positive change, in both the world of childbirth and beyond.

Superior Childbirth Education: Supporting Women Inside and Outside the Maternity System

Our course offers superior childbirth education, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to support women throughout pregnancy and birth, whether within the traditional maternity system or beyond it. No prior experience is necessary, making this course an ideal alternative for those who have considered midwifery but are looking for a more holistic and woman-centered approach. We provide you with the tools and understanding to empower women in their childbirth journey, offering unparalleled support and care.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

You MUST be willing to do the inner work to participate on this course. You will have regular live sessions to support you on this journey.

We include a critical component to our course that others miss: a deep dive into emotional and spiritual work. This aspect is not just an addition to our curriculum—it’s the heart of it. We believe that to truly impact the world of childbirth and create a lasting ripple effect, this inner journey is essential!

We prioritise a transformative journey that delves deep into emotional and spiritual growth. This critical component, unique to our curriculum, is designed for those ready to explore and heal from within, as we believe true change in the world of childbirth begins with oneself. Before enrolling, it’s essential to embrace this commitment to personal development. If you’re prepared to undertake this introspective journey and contribute to a profound societal shift, our course awaits you. Remember, the right candidate is not just learning skills but is also willing to address the roots to change the fruits of society. This aspect of learning is crucial and distinct to our course; if it resonates with you, you’re in the right place.

WHY OUR COURSE IS SO UNIQUE

Nickita Starck teaching birth workers about doula training and advocacy

The main reason why we stand out amongst the rest is that our course is transformational, not transactional. We provide immeasurable value. We focus on personal growth and development, rather than just imparting information or knowledge. WPCTS courses aim to transform the way a person thinks, acts, and relates to the world around them.

Here are just a few points that explain why our doula courses are exceptional. You will learn:

Client Acquisition 

We offer a range of practical benefits to our students. For example, we provide a directory listing so potential clients can easily find and connect with you. We also offer direct work opportunities to 60% of our graduates within three months of certification, a statistic we’re proud of. Although we cannot promise you work, we will most certainly provide you with the tools to grow your own business! We also believe in financial freedom! There is no virtue in poverty. Explore ways to create a passive income while you are serving the world with your gifts.

Improved Relationships

Learning with WPCTS often encourage students to develop stronger relationships with their peers and instructors. This can foster a sense of community and support, which can be particularly helpful for students who may feel isolated or disconnected.

Deeper Learning 

Transformational courses encourage you to reflect on your experiences, question your assumptions, and challenge your beliefs. This type of reflective learning can lead to deeper understanding and retention of the material.

Screenshot showing feedback from a When Push Comes To Shove training student
“This course is incredible, it’s been part of an empowering journey. Not only do you learn about physiological birth, you learn how to support a woman through pregnancy and birth. The knowledge I have gained I can now pass on to others, I can be part of positive change for women ready to take responsibility for their births back. Peace on earth begins at birth, it really does.”
Hazel, Student

“Having come across Nickita through all the amazing work she does to advocate for women and their choices in birth I knew it was a course I wanted to do. Having now completed it I can honestly say it has changed my life. Nickita has created a platform for like-minded women to truly discuss and understand the majesty of our nature as woman and mothers. The course was comprehensive and taught in an extremely safe and welcoming environment. The learning is also continuous after the course ensuring all new Doulas are supported and part of a tribe. I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible women and to learn far more than just the practical side of what being a Doula is, the course has opened up a deep spiritual yerning and all I feel now is LOVE. Thank you to Nickita and Rachel and to all the beautiful women I’ve started this journey with!”

Angela, Student
Inspirational and life changing! Nickita is the most wonderful human- her knowledge is amazing, she delivers the course material so thoroughly in a relaxed and supportive way and she genuinely cares about each and every person there. Not only do you receive all of the information needed to feel confident to step into the birth world, but you are guided and held through your own personal growth journey. Once you have completed the training you are then welcomed into the most beautiful tribe of like minded women, who could not be more beautiful souls (a true reflection of Nickita herself). The support is there 24/7, not just for birth questions but for spiritual, emotional and mental guidance too, and lots of fun! I’ve been in a lot of womens spaces, but this one is pure love. Plus you receive additional trainings each month and so much ongoing support. I can not recommend this course enough.
Helen, Your Content Goes Here
“Before I started the Doula course, I was afraid of another intense study course, where you wouldn’t be able to keep up.
This course though is a revolutionary wealth of knowledge that keeps you so engaged that you don’t want to be anywhere else. I connected with the ways Nickita is teaching, as it truly comes from the heart!
So grateful I could take this opportunity to expand beyond the horizon of seeing birthing and pregnancy just as it is pictured everywhere else!”
Antonia, Student

Frequently asked questions about doula training

FAQ

No. We do not teach clinical practice so there are no requirements. Just an open mind and a loving heart. It is helpful to have some basic knowledge of biology.

Yes. After completion you will be a certified birth and post-natal Doula. We are accredited by IPHM which is a recognised accreditation board.

Yes. The remote study option gives you access to the full online doula training course, including six modules, video lessons, course materials, mentorship, monthly Zooms, and the student community.

Yes. There is no single legal route to becoming a doula in the UK. This course gives you structured training, mentorship, community, and a certification pathway so you can begin birth work with proper support.

WPCTS combines physiological birth education, advocacy, informed consent, human rights, social services awareness, nervous system work, and personal development. It is designed for women who want to support birth with courage and depth.

Yes. The course includes practice-building support, pricing, client packages, boundaries, directory listing, community referrals where possible, and guidance on building sustainable work.

Yes. Midwives can train with WPCTS. Some midwives may also be suited to the Midwife Lifeboat course, depending on what they want next.

We are self governed. We have our own ethos and do not necessarily adhere to the same strict policies of other Doula Training Courses. We are an organisation that would never tell anyone what language to use nor insist on any medical intervention in order to work. We respect everyone’s beliefs and do not judge how anyone wishes to live or the language they choose to use.

As there are no legal requirements to be qualified as a Doula in the UK, it is unnecessary to think about ‘recognition’ from hospitals. This may be different from country to country so please check requirements in your country before you enrol. It is worth noting, our clientele tend to be home birthers and lean towards birthing outside of the system.

We are not Doula Uk Approved as we are self governed.

Yes of course! If you are a woman with an open heart who would like to support other women, you can enrol.

Yes you can certainly train with us, the role of a Doula is very different from midwifery. However, the most popular course amongst midwives is our ‘Midwife Lifeboat’ course. This is a conversion course from Midwife to Birth Keeper. This course was initially set up as a lifeline for midwives who did not wish to have the vaccine in order to keep their job within the NHS. This mandate has now been revoked but we still offer the course to midwives who wish to practice autonomously as a birth keeper. This is an exceptional course with a high work conversion rate.

If you would like to enrol on this course, please email us to book. (Discounts available for group bookings)

We don’t believe in the narrative that birth workers need to be poor! This is why we discuss passive income on the course. After some experience, you can expect to earn a good living. If you take on just 2 births per month, the average income is between £2-£4000 per month. It’s important to remember that this will involve being on call constantly so we do encourage you to find other streams of passive income.

Our approach differs significantly from traditional midwifery placements at hospitals. Instead of a hospital-based placement, we offer a mentorship program designed to guide you in securing your first five clients. This mentorship program is typically conducted remotely and includes five one-on-one sessions with your designated mentor. These sessions provide a platform to discuss concerns, receive constructive feedback, and engage in birth reflections.

Depending on your location, there may be an opportunity for you to shadow experienced birth keepers within our organisation, “When Push Comes To Shove.” This experience can be invaluable for gaining practical insights into the role. However, it’s important to remember that your primary role as a birth keeper is to provide emotional and physical support, hold space for the mother, advocate for her, and assist her in navigating the healthcare system. This will all be done at your own pace after completing our comprehensive course.

Many students initially share concerns about attending births without prior experience. However, after completing our course, their perspective often undergoes a significant shift. We provide robust support within our community, including the opportunity to ask questions and receive prompt responses. Our community comprises seasoned midwives and birth keepers who are eager to offer guidance. Additionally, we offer monthly Zoom meet-ups that facilitate connections with fellow tribe members and provide further opportunities for learning and growth. Furthermore, there is nothing set in stone saying you must attend a birth! You may want to consider doing only post-natal work or run your own antenatal courses.

We do not match students with clients. Instead, we equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to find your own clients. Additionally, there is potential for direct client referrals from “When Push Comes To Shove” (WPCTS), as we receive numerous inquiries. While we cannot guarantee you work, we do receive a substantial volume of inquiries that we can pass on to you. We are committed to supporting your journey as a birth keeper beyond the course.

Woman on laptop contacting when push comes to shove

Still have questions?

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