"The Side by Side Doula training course has been one of the best things I've done in my life. I'm still absorbing the things we learned and enjoying completing the assignments. Firstly Leila is the most approachable, knowledgeable and kind teacher. She gave us all such complete focus and set a safe space to be really honest with each other. The friends I have made on the course are some of the most remarkable women I have met and Leila has created in us a collective of life long friends & colleagues. This is a real skill. Finding the right fit for a doula course is hard but Leila is the real deal. If I could do the course again I would but I don't need to. I feel informed, empowered and well resourced to go out and support families no matter who they are. I hope I will be able to pass this gift on to the families I will work with in the future."
June 2020 online course
"The Side by Side Doula Preparation Course with Leila was absolutely fantastic. I was new to the birth world and learned everything I needed to know to feel confident to start my journey as a Doula. The course covered various topics related to birth, how to support birthing people and families, the practicalities of the business and much more. Leila is a brilliant teacher and created a safe and interactive space for us on the course. She was happy to share her vast experiences and provided beneifical insights and feedback throughout. The course was executed at a high standard and the assigments were varied and interesting. I'd recommend this course to anyone out there wanting to become a Doula! "
June 2020 online course
"This is a course which prepares you to serve a richly diverse clientele.
The course gently nudges you to look at your own beliefs and birthing experiences and how these can impact the support you give families as a doula. There’s an emphasis on boundaries, self love and self care And how this is the fuel to your successful doulaing business.
Leila has a very special presence, sharing her personal experiences, wisdom and knowledge in an engaging way. Her open- minded gentle approach creates the most wonderful relaxed environment where you feel safe to share and learn without judgement. She united us as a group which is so important In the weeks after the course when working through the assignments I’d highly recommend Side by Side Doula training. Thank you Leila for all your support and encouragement"
June 2020 online course
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Side by Side Doula preparation course. The depth and breadth of topics covered, resources shared and discussion had was beyond what I expected. Leila is a fountain of knowledge and hugely inspiring. It was great to connect with a group of people who were equally enthused and who also brought so much to the sessions – it really was a joy to be part of. I started the course tentatively, wondering if I was ready to go down this path. I finished feeling confident that I knew where I was heading and how to get there. I would absolutely recommend it!”
September 2020 online course
"The course is jam-packed with information and resources that are invaluable to any doulas let alone those just starting out. Having workshops within the course with specialist practitioners was so good! The idea that we are constantly learning in our practice as doulas was a strong theme in the course. We touched on ableist privilege and seeking to challenge this. It was also brilliant to have the recommendation to give priority of future learning to specialist Cultural Competency and LGBT+ courses.
Leila’s course is amazing and I would recommend it to everyone who is planning to practice as a doula. I feel that I am part of a supportive community, that I am not alone and that I will never ever stop learning. "
September 2020 online course
"The style of teaching was interactive and everyone had a chance to ask questions and share experiences while learning. I learned about how sufficient oxytocin levels can give a whole new way of preparing for childbirth. When your mind is calm and your breathing is deep your body becomes more relaxed it can be a totally different experience. Learning about the breastfeeding, I found the different aids you can have to have to help, even the simple things on how to latch and unlatch.
I had so many recommendations of books, YouTube clips and courses that may found to be interesting from Leila as well as the rest of the group. In the past two weeks our group have laughed together and cried together; its been fantastic!!
Simply....when a doula is in the room Oxytocin should be too"
September 2020 online course