Doula Training Academy Australia - Vicki Hobbs

31/08/2026

For those of you in Perth and considering doula training, SAVE THE DATE for our upcoming Expo and come and have a chat with me about your options.

Perth Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expo 2026

Sunday, 18th October 2026
Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough
FREE ENTRY

Whether you're thinking about starting a family, trying to conceive, already pregnant, preparing for birth or navigating those early months with a new baby, pop this date in your diary!

Our Perth Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expo is back for 2026, bringing together over 50 local services and practitioners who support families from preconception and fertility, right through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

You'll be able to meet and chat with practitioners who can support fertility and preconception health, as well as midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, women's health professionals, mental health, bodyworkers, babywearing and sleep specialists, photographers, first aid providers and many more.

We'll also have six expert speaker sessions throughout the day, giving you the opportunity to learn, ask questions and discover more about your options and the support available to you.

There will also be some fabulous door prizes up for grabs, and one of our wonderful sponsors, NaturoBest, has generously donated bottles of their Prenatal First Trimester vitamins to give away – (one bottle per family while stocks last).

And the best part?

It's completely FREE!

Come along, bring your partner, your family or a friend and spend some time discovering the incredible range of support available in Perth for your journey into parenthood - from those very first thoughts about having a baby, through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

To check out the Directory of Exhibitors, the speaker schedule and to get your free tickets, click on the link:

🎟 GET YOUR FREE TICKETS
https://pregnancyexpo.com.au/

We can't wait to see you there!

Vicki Hobbs
Perth Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expo

Connect with Perth's leading perinatal experts. Explore services, ask questions, and feel supported on your journey into parenthood.

21/08/2026

Birth trauma is something every doula should understand.

It isn't always about an emergency or a major medical complication.

A woman can experience her birth as traumatic when she felt frightened, unheard, pressured or excluded from decisions about her own care.

This is one of the important points explored by Mel Grimes, a qualified doula and graduate of the Doula Training Academy, in her article Birth Trauma in Australia: How Doulas Can Help Women Heal and Reclaim Their Birth Experience.

Mel also explores the evidence around continuous support during labour and the ways a doula can help a woman feel informed, supported and less alone throughout her birth.

I particularly value the way Mel discusses the importance of staying within the doula's scope of practice. We aren't there to make clinical decisions or treat trauma. Our role is to provide emotional and practical support, listen without judgement, help women understand their options and encourage appropriate professional support when needed.

For doulas, this is an important area of education.

For women who have experienced a difficult birth, it is also a reminder that their feelings about their experience matter.

I encourage you to take some time to read Mel's article and learn more about birth trauma and the role doulas can play in supporting women.

Read the full article here:
https://doulatrainingacademy.com.au/birth-trauma-in-australia-how-doulas-can-help-women-heal-and-reclaim-their-birth-experience/

20/08/2026

Choosing your doula training is a big decision.
So don't just ask:

"How much does the course cost?"

Ask:

"What am I actually getting for my investment?"

At the Doula Training Academy, training goes beyond sitting in front of a screen and completing a certificate.

Depending on the training option you choose, your learning can include practical demonstrations, hands-on skills, course resources, templates, business tools, ongoing mentoring and access to additional learning through the online training platform.

But one of the things I value most is the community.

Becoming a doula can feel overwhelming when you're starting out.
Having other doulas around you to learn from, ask questions and share experiences with makes a difference.

My philosophy has always been collaboration over competition.
I want you to build your own knowledge, your own business and your own way of supporting families.

If you're comparing doula training courses, take a close look at what is included and what support is available after you complete your training.

Your education is the foundation you will build your doula career on.

Choose it carefully.

Download your free guide here:

https://doulatrainingacademy.systeme.io/downloadyourfreeguide

If you're ready to take the next step and build a meaningful career supporting women and families, explore our Doula Training Academy courses:

https://doulatrainingacademy.systeme.io/7f8c0a3b

19/08/2026

MYTH: "Doulas are only for women planning a natural birth."
Not true.

Birth doesn't always follow the plan we imagined.

A woman may plan a vaginal birth and have an induction.

She may have a caesarean birth.

She may be planning a VBAC.

Plans can change, circumstances can change and sometimes decisions need to be made along the way.

A doula's role is not to have an agenda about how a woman should birth.

Our role is to support the woman and her partner through their individual experience.

This is why comprehensive doula training matters.

At the Doula Training Academy, students learn about different birth experiences, including physiological birth, inductions, interventions, caesarean birth and VBAC.

The more you understand, the better prepared you can be to support families without judgement.

Every birth is different.

Every family is different.

And every woman deserves to feel heard and respected.

That is the kind of doula I want to help you become.

Download your free guide here:

https://doulatrainingacademy.systeme.io/downloadyourfreeguide

If you're ready to take the next step and build a meaningful career supporting women and families, explore our Doula Training Academy courses:

https://doulatrainingacademy.systeme.io/7f8c0a3b

18/08/2026

If you are thinking about becoming a doula, one of the first questions I think you should ask is:

"What will I actually learn?"

Doula training should give you more than a certificate.

At the Doula Training Academy, my training covers 17 modules designed to give you a broad understanding of supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

You'll explore topics such as:

-Childbirth education
-The rights of childbearing women
-Your doula toolkit
-Pelvic pathways and optimal positioning
-Physiological birth and inductions
-Medical interventions
-Caesarean birth
-VBAC
-Stillbirth and bereavement
-Breastfeeding support
-Postpartum support
-Building your doula business

And that is only part of what you'll learn.

I want my students to finish their training with knowledge and practical skills they can actually use when supporting families.

Because when a family invites you into one of the most important experiences of their lives, you need to be prepared.

If you're considering doula training, don't just look at the certificate. Look at the curriculum. Ask questions. Find out what you will actually be learning.

I've also created a free guide called "HOW TO START YOUR JOURNEY AS A DOULA", where I explain more about the role of a doula and take you through the 17 modules included in my training.

I've made a video in the guide where I personally talk you through the modules, so you can get a better understanding of what the training covers before deciding whether doula training is right for you.

You can access the free guide here:
https://doulatrainingacademy.systeme.io/downloadyourfreeguide

Take some time to have a look, watch the video and learn more about what is involved in becoming a doula.

17/08/2026

We only have 2 spots left for the Perth Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expo at Rendezvous Hotel on Sunday 18th October 2026. If you are interested, have a look at the website, and click on the "Register as an Exhibitor" button to find out more. You can also find the free tickets to attend on the website, so get in early and you can check out the speakers and Exhibitors who have already booked their place. We have another great lineup this year.
https://pregnancyexpo.com.au/

17/08/2026

A little about me...

I'm Vicki Hobbs, founder of the Doula Training Academy.
I created the Academy because I wanted to provide doulas and birth workers with quality education, practical knowledge and ongoing support as they develop their skills.

Over the years, I have learnt that being a doula is about so much more than simply being present at a birth.

It is about understanding birth.

It is about knowing how to support women and their partners through different circumstances.

It is about listening.

It is about respecting each family's choices.

And it is about continuing to learn.

That is why my training brings together education, practical skills, research, experience and the realities of working as a professional doula.

I also believe strongly in collaboration over competition.
There is room for all of us in this industry, and I love seeing students develop their own confidence, knowledge and style as they begin their doula journey.

If you have been thinking about becoming a doula, I encourage you to learn as much as you can before choosing your training.
Ask questions.

Look at the curriculum.

Find out who is teaching you.

And make sure the training feels right for you.

I would love to welcome you into the Doula Training Academy community when the time is right.

14/08/2026

Many people think a doula's greatest skill is knowing everything about birth.

In reality, one of the most valuable things a doula offers is their presence.

Being there without judgement.

Listening without interrupting.

Offering reassurance without taking over.

Families may not remember every word that was said, but they often remember how supported they felt.

Birth is deeply personal, and having someone by your side who remains calm, respectful and encouraging can make a lasting difference.

If you're considering becoming a doula, remember - your willingness to learn and care for others is where the journey begins.

13/08/2026

What makes a good doula?

13/08/2026

Birth isn't something that only the mother does.

Your baby is an active participant too.

During labour, babies rotate, tuck their chin, and make a series of small movements to help navigate the pelvis.

It's an incredible process that demonstrates just how beautifully designed birth can be.

Understanding what's happening for both mother and baby helps families appreciate the journey in a whole new way.