A Day in the Life of a Doula Trainee: What to expect on the first day of doula training

When someone signs up for doula training, they often imagine learning all about birth, supporting parents, and diving into all things pregnancy and postpartum. And yes - you’ll certainly absolutely explore all of that.

But the real transformation?

It begins long before you open your notebook and it’s so much more than learning about birth positions or how to blow up a birth pool.

Let’s follow Emma, a fictional but very typical trainee, as she steps into her first day of a Nurturing Birth course - nervous, hopeful, and wondering if she truly belongs here.

8:45am — “Teas and Wees” (our unofficial and very important first ritual)

Emma arrives clutching her bag and her nerves. Before anything else, she’s met with mugs, kettles, herbal tea (or if Sarah is there a bucket of fresh coffee) warm hellos… and the very practical suggestion:

“Grab a cuppa, use the bathroom, get yourself settled.”

It’s a simple ritual, but it begins to break the ice. Everyone is moving around, finding seats, chatting, grounding themselves. It isn’t formal. It isn’t intimidating. It’s human.

9:00am — Housekeeping and settling in.

Once everyone has their drink and has found a comfy spot, we share some gentle housekeeping:

• Who the team are

• How the group will be held and supported

• What to expect over the next few days

• Where to find loos, snacks, and tissues

• An invitation to make yourself physically comfortable

• Phones on silent, shoes off if you like, blankets available

• Emma realises: this isn’t a classroom. This is a space created with care and intention.

9:15am — Opening introductions: such a mix of wonderful humans.

The group does a kind, gentle round of introductions - nothing pressured, no forced performance. Just sharing and connecting. On whatever level feels comfortable.

And the variety is always striking. Some people have children, some don’t. Some have been to lots of births, others none at all. Someone in their 20’s sat next to someone in their 50’s. An ex-midwife sits beside someone who works in HR. A nursery worker beside a woman leaving her corporate job for something more meaningful.

Someone simply says, “I don’t know where to start - I just felt called.”

Emma feels welcome and in good company. She belongs here just as much as anyone else.

10:00am — The pillars of doula work

The rest of the morning is spent exploring the core foundations of being a doula. Not the “what to do,” but the how we show up.

This includes:

• mindful, inclusive language

• listening deeply (really listening)

• holding space without fixing

• compassion with boundaries

• honouring every family’s story

• valuing difference

• working in ways that feel ethical, safe, and grounded

Emma feels the first flicker of recognition: I’ve done these things in other parts of my life. Maybe I do have the skills after all.

2:00pm — Weaving it all into the doula role

After lunch (and more chatting and connection) the afternoon unfolds into a deeper understanding of how these skills shape the work.

Not just what doulas do, but how they:

• lead with open hearts

• bring humour and humanity

• listen without open-mindedness

• create safety and connection

• walk alongside families rather than directing them

• recognise their limits

• use boundaries as an act of care

• prioritise self-care so they can support others sustainably

There’s a moment - and it happens on every course - when Emma realises this isn’t just “training.”

It’s personal. It’s growth. It’s remembering her own worth and strength.

4:40pm — A shift happens

As the first day draws to a close, the reality begins to land.

Emma hears people share all kinds of things:

“I came in feeling nervous.”

“I thought everyone else would know more than me.”

“I didn’t think I had the right background.”

“I wasn’t sure if I’d fit.”

Every single one is met with the same warm truth:

“You are enough. You don’t need to “know” everything. You already have so many of the values that make a good doula. You need to be more and do less”

Emma realises she feels… different.

More grounded. More confident. More connected. More certain that she can do this - not someday, but starting now.

5:00pm — Heading home with a full heart

She walks out of the venue tired, but lit up. She heads to the train station with someone she’s connected with on the course and they chat away with excitement.

What began as apprehension has shifted into a quiet, steady belief in herself.

She now understands that doula work isn’t about being perfect, or having the “right” CV, or ticking specific boxes.

It’s about:

• Compassion

• Presence

• Humanity

• Boundaries

• and caring for yourself just as much as you care for others

And Emma - like every trainee - leaves that first day knowing she does have what it takes.

Because the foundations are already within her. She’s simply learning how to bring them forward.