World Doula Week (WDW) is all about empowerment. It encourages doulas around the world to "improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families".
Curious about World Doula Week – and how you can join the celebrations? We have all your questions covered.
What does a Doula do?
Stemming from Ancient Greece, a doula is a woman who helps a mother-to-be with labour and childbirth. She offers personal care and support from pregnancy to transporting baby home. A woman may turn to her doula for emotional guidance, reassurance, and the confidence to care for her newborn – as well as information on local yoga, antenatal and pregnancy classes.
The only thing a doula doesn't do is offer medical care or nursing.
Why is World Doula Week celebrated?
Doulas do wonderful work in the community. And the purpose of WDW is to share those benefits with the world, so everyone understands the role of doulas during birth and the postpartum period.
Benefits – as promoted on the World Doula Week website – include:
- Reducing the number of c-sections performed
- Reduce the length of labour
- Lower requests for analgesics and epidurals
- Assist new mums with breastfeeding and birth
- Help manage "postpartum mood disorders"
- Give new parents the skills and confidence to look after their bundle of joy
When is World Doula Week?
World Doula Week 2015 has arrived! It kicked off with World Doula Day on Sunday 22 March 2015, a global event, and ends on Saturday 28 March.
Why 22 March? Well, that's the start of the spring equinox, known as the return of fertility to many cultures around the world.
Can I volunteer for World Doula Week?
You sure can! World Doula Week organisers are asking for people to help run and assist with local events.
Events include contests, conferences, fairs and expos, film screenings and more.
You can find out about more World Doula Week opportunities on their website, or peruse the official Facebook page.
Originally published on Mar 25, 2015
