A NEW qualification has been born at a Hampshire college for parental birthing partners known as doulas.' Eastleigh College now offers the first officially recognised national qualification for a doula who provides both physical and mental support to couples during childbirth.

The college has worked closely with Hampshire-based organisation Baby on Board Doulas' to devise the course. Eastleigh College chief executive, Tony Lau-Walker, presented certificates to ten students who have already qualified for the Cache level 3 Doula qualification.