Right Lilliput,
I signed up in January and booked my workshop for first weekend in March, Set about reading the at least four of essential reading list and started by looking at each book to see how I got on with it.
I ended up putting off Primal Health till later as it was more medical and textbook in feel.
I read and loved The Doula Book, Birthing from Within, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. They are written to be read by the lay person so are easy to read, fascinating and inspiring. Well that's my opinion anyway!
I was fascinated by the AIMS booklet Delivering your placenta: The Third stage as I'm ashamed to say I had never really considered the 3rd stage for either birth... Now, I would almost consider a Lotus Birth! But not quite...
Anyhow I'd just about read 4 books before the workshop, but I have done a lot research online via another forum so have learned loads already, which the workshop corroborated.
There were five of us that weekend and from all different walks of life. I was amazed at how honest everyone was about themselves when we talked at breaks and lunches...
Anyway we told the group about our birth experiences, what had brought us there, Adela talked about what it means to be a Doula and instilled into us what we need to be and do, ie don't give Advice!, there was role-play, we learned loads, realised we had loads more to learn (you just never stop till day you die!) and it was great, We actually talked so much we never got to do the relaxtion section at the end!!! We need a Doula week not weekend!
Adela did try to encourage us to write our assignment straight away and hand in 2 weeks after workshop but I wanted to read more so made a start, then left it till now and am now trying to finish it.
Take the bull by the horns! You'll be fine.
I'm not totaly earth mother, lentil weaving but I am more in tune (in my old age!) and can see that to understand the likes of Ina May helps us to see how normal birth can be.
FWIW I emailed Ina May my birth stories about 18 months ago to ask if she thought a HBAC was within the realms of reason and was totally surprised and gladdened that she, herself, emailed me back. That woman is a star!!!
I've rambled on and on and am no longer sure I've answered the question....
Once my assignment has been accepted I'll get my certificate and will be listed on SDN and can get listed on Doula UK. Currently once you've done your workshop you go on the SDN mail list and get invited to the SDN meetings, but I can't go to the one this Sat Can't wait to meet more of the other Scottish Doulas!