European Doula Network
Our network was founded, and is continually being built, not by one doula, but by inspirational doulas from all across Europe and beyond.
The European Doula Network is unique as the only international doula network collaboratively formed of regional and national doula organisations.
In 2025, the EDN connects 55 Doula Associations and Training Programmes from 26 countries, including 18 Friends of the EDN and 12 volunteers.
Through our member associations we include approximately 5,000 doula members.
Our doula training programmes include over 200 doula trainers who have trained more than 8,000 doulas.
In the European Doula Network, we know that we are capable of great things by joining together and dedicating our time and attention to listen carefully. Each member brings their own specific qualities and experiences to help EDN keep connecting, informing and supporting doulas, and about doulas everywhere.
Doulas Support Midwives
Launched on International Day of the Midwife – May 5, 2025
On this special day, the European Doula Network proudly launches the “Doulas Supporting Midwives” Manifesto. This document underscores our commitment to fostering a collaborative relationship between doulas and midwives, aiming to enhance the quality of care for birthing women across Europe.
Feedback on Doula Support
Global healthcare professionals, including midwives, nurses, doctors, perinatal psychologists and related perinatal specialists are invited to share their insights and opinions on the value of doula support, both for mothers, partners, and their families, as well as for the healthcare team.
If you have professional experience working beside a doula, please share your observations and recommendations.
Translated in English, Czech, French, German, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish.
PUSH for Doulas
Doulas Support Midwives - EDN is organising a meeting open to all doulas and doula organisations on May 22 at 15:00 CEST in which the PUSH Campaign will be presented.
Find the EDN at these international conferences!
We look forward to listening and talking to healthcare professionals in Europe and South Africa.
Opening dialogue on perinatal doula support: improving communication and mutual understanding to better support women
Silvia Helme-Brown, Sandra Gonçalves and Florencia Sabio welcome your questions about doulas and doula work.
“It Takes a Team”: Collaboration for Woman Centered Assistance to Pregnant Women During Delivery at Community Level
Anita Budak and Ayşegül Boz Baltacı explore intrapartum collaboration between healthcare professionals and doulas.
Uniting Doulas Globally
Following the success of EDN's initiative to bring together the ICEA and DONA International in Paris 2023, this year EDN is bringing together an even greater number of doulas at FIGO Cape Town, South Africa.
We look forward to strengthening our combined support for our partners, the International Childbirth Initiative, bringing respectful maternal health care to facilities all around the world.
DOULA-MIDWIFE RELATIONS : OPENING DIALOGUE TO HELP IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Pilar Izquierdo, Magda Martinez, Florencia Sabio, Sandra Gonçalves
Doulas and Midwives: A Powerful Alliance!
Meet a perinatal “Dreamteam” (Doula Alex and two midwives Alexandra and Elena, from Italy) who will be talking about their experiences working together.
We will explore the relationship between doulas and midwives. Misunderstandings of the doula role are common in midwifery circles. While many midwives welcome the presence of a doula, there are midwives who are less than welcoming when it comes to accepting a doula, especially in the birthing room. Despite this, doulas are more sought after than ever before, and it is increasingly likely that
midwives will encounter a doula in the delivery room or at a home birth. The aim of this S!H!D! is to address these issues, raise awareness of mutually beneficial areas of collaboration, and finding suggestions together for ways forward.
EDN 2025
The annual European Doula Network event will take place in Lithuania this year!
Doulas from all over Europe will meet in Vilnius to spend 3 days together, focusing on the EDN values: connecting, supporting, and informing.
EDN Newsletters
Following the cycles of nature, our newsletter comes out each season, sharing inspirational doula stories, latest developments and ongoing projects. English is the common EDN language, but we also share original version articles with English translations.