World Doula Day Date in the current year: March 22, 2024

Doulas are trained professionals who provided guidance through childbirth or other reproductive health experiences such as miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth. In recent years, the term “doula” has also been applied to professionals who support people through non-pregnancy related health experiences such as death (end-of-life doulas).

The concept of a companion providing support to the woman giving birth has been around since prehistoric times. However, the modern profession of the doula emerged in the 1960s from the grassroots natural birth movement. The term “doula” was coined in 1969 by American medical anthropologist Dana Raphael; it derives from an Ancient Greek word that means “female slave”.

Douglas are birth companions who provide emotional, physical, and informational support during childbirth and in the postpartum period. They may also act as an advocate, supporting the woman’s right to make health decisions regarding her own body and the baby. Unlike partners, family members, or friends who may be present during birth, doulas have a formal training in birth support.

It should be noted, however, that doulas are not medical professionals because they are not qualified to provide medical treatment Their main role is to help their clients feel safe and comfortable so that medical professionals can focus on doing their jobs.

What are the benefits of having a doula present during childbirth? According to statistics, doula support is associated with shorter delivery times, fewer C-sections and birth complications, fewer analgesic and epidural requests, less time in NICU, more satisfying birth experiences, and increased breastfeeding. The support of a doula also increases the new parents’ confidence in taking care of the newborn.

The inaugural World Doula Day was observed on March 22, 2011. It was created by Ruti Karni Horowitzh, an Israeli childbirth and lactation educator, doula and pregnancy yoga teacher, in collaboration with CAPPA Israel (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). The date of March 22 was chosen because it falls around the vernal equinox, which is associated with the return of fertility in many cultures. Over time, the celebration has expanded to an entire week from March 22 to 28 (the fourth week of March).

The main goal of World Doula Day and Week is to recognize all doulas and doula organizations around the globe, highlight their contribution to the improvement of the physical, emotional, psychological, and social health of women and newborns, and educate the general public on the benefits of the support provided by doulas during labor and in the postpartum period.

World Doula Week is filled with professional events where doulas from different pats of the world can exchange professional experiences and ideas. Some events are aimed at parents; their main goal is to raise awareness of the benefits of doula care during birth and the postpartum period.