Supporting

It’s easy to do great work when you believe in what you do. That’s why we’re committed to helping doulas, birth workers and health professionals join together to support people through the most difficult challenges of life. EDN has a long history of supporting doulas as they support their clients when faced by crises: as a result of human conflicts or during environmental disasters.

Manifesto: Doulas support Midwives

Issued by the European Doula Network on 5 May 2025,
endorsed by CAPPA and Red Mundial de Doulas

Postnatal rEvolution Summit and ongoing ACTION PLAN


This three stage event consisted of five Expert Talks (replay), an online or in-person Dialogue Forum and a live Summit Day on 1st February 2025 in Amsterdam, all aimed to create a postpartum action plan that affirms our collective commitment to the health of mothers and their families.

We are all one

Words of compassion, written and spoken during the EDN Madrid conference on Saturday 30th September 2023

The full version is available here:
English
Español
Italian

When people are in danger, women are in danger, 
when women are in danger, families are in danger, 
when families are in danger, children and babies are in danger.


Where society is fractured, social connections are fractured, people are fearful and when people are fearful they do not thrive. Often, in their desire to survive, they may find it hard to be kind.

Even if we feel we cannot change the world, we can change ourselves, the kindness we send ourselves, we can send to others and kindness has the power to change the world of another individual:

to feel cared for, 
to feel respected, 
to feel safe enough to heal, 
to feel safe enough to trust, 
to feel safe enough to trust yourself and to trust others.


We may all speak other languages, but we can all speak the one language of loving kindness.

We are all one
European Doulas, Global Doulas
Connecting, Supporting, Informing

Sometimes we heal, sometimes we need healing
Sometimes we love, sometimes we need loving.
We are all one.

Campaigns supporting human rights and professional doula integrity

Please read these campaign letters to support basic human rights, for people to be free to choose a doula to provide them with holistic care and supporting the integrity of doulas as professional care givers.

Please sign, it will only take a minute!

Safe birth for all: Safe birth in Palestine

24 November 2023

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Below is a statement from pregnancy and childbirth professionals and organizations working in the field of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal health. Everywhere in the world, we advocate for every woman's right to give birth in safety and every baby's right to be born in a secure environment, without reservation or conditions. Please email us for adding your organization’s name to this call or individually to be a part of a volunteer network: 

“Women and newborns are disproportionately bearing the burden of hostilities in Gaza” as the World Health Organization states. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women and children are adversely affected by the atrocities of war. 

Approximately 50,000 pregnant women reside in Gaza, with over 180 deliveries occurring daily. Around 15% of these women are at risk of encountering complications during pregnancy or childbirth, necessitating extra medical attention. Due to the blockage of medical supplies and power, emergency cesarean sections are now performed without anesthesia without the basic sanitary needs, medically unnecessary hysterectomies are performed to save blood. 

As health professionals who dedicate their lives to protecting civilians under all circumstances, we are aware that creating safe spaces for childbirth also means creating safe spaces for all people. For this reason, we must seek ways of influencing the international community to help achieve the following immediately: 

  • Immediate ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law
  •  Opening safe corridors for evacuation of pregnant women and children
  • Meeting the need for emergency medical care and before and during evacuation
  •  Establishing safe zones for hospitals and care homes under the auspices of international organizations and taking other measures to protect medical personnel and installations 
  • Building infrastructure and providing resources for safe childbirths and medical care in safe zones
  •  Building field hospitals and temporary installations in safe zones
  •  Increasing the efficiency of medical aid by ensuring collaboration between the aid agencies and the local health professionals 
  • Providing psychosocial support as an integral part of the emergency response 


These are only the initial steps to alleviate the pain and reduce the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, a population displaced from their homes. As we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the above-mentioned steps are of critical importance, as civilians and medical staff are protected by international law. We ask all childbirth-related organizations to join our solidarity call. 


Click the button below for full details of this call for action.

Note from the European Doula Network

We firmly believe in fostering unity and mutual respect within the whole doula and childbirth professional community. 

While we support the values and calls outlined in this statement, we do not condone any actions that involve pressuring individuals or organizations to adopt specific stances or actions. 

Advocacy should unite, not divide, our efforts to create safe spaces for childbirth and human dignity worldwide.

We invite constructive dialogue and collaboration, recognizing that only through mutual understanding and shared purpose can we build a stronger, more supportive global network dedicated to safe births for all.

Note: Please find details of the UNFPA aid agency, which is taking donations and doing its best to support women and girls.

Unite to Protect Women’s Rights in Birth in Turkey

22 December 2024

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We stand together to protect women’s right to receive the support they need during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.


On December 13, 2024, a new regulation titled “Procedures and Principles for Birth Schools and Birth Services” was published officially. This regulation contains a clause that restricts women’s right to choose their birth companions and support professionals:

“Educational and counseling services for pregnant women can only be provided by healthcare professionals within their defined roles. Individuals or entities outside these professions, such as doulas or coaches, are not allowed to offer services under any name.”

This clause makes it nearly impossible for midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, pregnancy psychologists, and other birth support professionals to provide their invaluable services. It also conflicts with Türkiye’s Patient Rights Regulation, which guarantees the right to have a birth companion.


Why Is Birth Support Essential?

Birth support services help women prepare for childbirth physically, emotionally, and mentally. Research (Bohren et al., Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, 2017) shows that continuous support during labor:

  • Increases the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth,
  • Reduces the need for medical interventions (e.g., epidurals, forceps, or vacuum assistance),
  • Decreases the likelihood of cesarean sections,
  • Shortens labor duration by approximately 40 minutes,
  • Enhances positive birth experiences while reducing negative feelings,
  • Improves newborn health by reducing the risk of low Apgar scores,
  • Continuous birth support can reduce cesarean rates by 25%, instrumental vaginal births by 10%, and the use of pain relief medications by 10%. (WHO, 2018, p. 31)
  • It may also contribute to lowering the risk of preterm birth: “Women who receive doula care are 22% less likely to experience preterm birth.” (Kozhimannil et al., 2016, p. 26)
  • Lowers stress during pregnancy and childbirth, and
  • Improves women’s postpartum well-being.


Despite this evidence, the new regulation limits women’s access to comprehensive birth support, making the childbirth experience more challenging. The unconditional protection of women’s right to support during childbirth is a fundamental human right!


What Are We Demanding?

1️⃣ The protection of women’s right to receive one-on-one support from anyone they choose during childbirth,
2️⃣ The removal of the restrictive clause in the regulation,
3️⃣ Official recognition of birth support professionals (midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, pregnancy psychologists, etc.), including their roles and qualifications.


How You Can Help

Sign our petition to stand with us in protecting women’s rights during childbirth! Every woman deserves respect and support during this transformative experience. Together, we can make our voices heard and safeguard these fundamental rights.

Join us in making a difference for women and their babies. Add your signature today and share the campaign to spread awareness.

Launched by Doguma Destek Platformu



Why do doulas in France suffer from such a bad image in the national media?

21 December 2024

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This profession, which provides practical and emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth, is often presented, at best, as a new-age fad that poses risks to the health of women and babies, and at worst, as a component of a sectarian drift that should be banned. The recent report by BFM TV is just one example among many others. This lack of nuance and consideration raises questions about the integrity of the media, which, according to the professional ethics charter for journalists, should be committed to "truthfulness, accuracy, integrity, fairness, and impartiality," and avoid "unsubstantiated accusations, (...) distortion of facts," manipulation, or failure to verify facts.

At a time when many foreign media outlets are considering recognizing the profession of doula and its role alongside families as an indicator of women's autonomy in their pregnancy-related choices, as well as a commitment to the women's rights of the country in question, what does this media treatment of the issue of doulas say about French culture? Of course, media representation is often just a reflection of the social consideration of an issue, but in this case, the public should expect better.

A balanced and objective treatment of the subject could, for example, include recent scientific studies showing that support for women during pregnancy and postpartum, particularly from doulas, has a positive effect on the mental health of mothers. It is even accepted that this support for women and families can also have positive effects on the physiology of pregnancy. However, the media do not relay these findings. They also do not mention that, concerning the most vulnerable populations (Black or Indigenous women in the U.S., or foreign-speaking women in Europe), structural studies have shown that support from doulas addresses a real need and generates positive effects on the birth experience for these women. These serious and well-documented studies and surveys are generally absent from the French media, replaced by hasty analyses based entirely on a few questionable quotes from doulas who are not representative of the ethical boundaries that most doulas adhere to, or statements from medical professionals concerned about these forms of support occurring outside their professional field.

This skewed and "biased" media treatment is not without consequences. It generates significant professional stress among doulas, who feel accused and suspicious; it can create unjustified concerns among parents and families; it can foster a permanent mistrust among healthcare professionals who have never worked with doulas; and, ultimately, it acts as a barrier to the social recognition of a profession that primarily offers help and support to families.

The professional mistakes of a few should not be generalized and presented as the majority practice of doulas in France. Few professions suffer as much from such stigmatization. For instance, the lack of a legal framework is often cited as a severe critique in all articles dealing with the doula profession, yet no one would think to criticize the absence of a legal framework for other service-oriented or caregiving professions (coach, sophrologist, home helper, wellness practitioner, photographer, etc.). Therefore, the risks associated with the doula profession can certainly be discussed, as long as they are not unfounded, and provided they are weighed against the benefits that doula support for families overwhelmingly provides.

Thus, we call for an honest and objective treatment of the subject of doulas in France through this letter. Why not consider a thorough, objective investigation that could explore the research on the benefits of supporting women, the ethical requirements of this profession that prohibit any confusion with the work of medical professionals, the legal framework applicable to the doula practice (which is not specific legislation but a derivative of common law), the professional training programs dedicated to this practice and their emphasis on ethical posture, the positive experiences of healthcare professionals who have worked with doulas, and, most importantly, the numerous and rich testimonials from families who have been supported?

The public, women, and families deserve better media treatment of the work of their support providers: for their recognition, image, and dignity. The main issue is deeply feminist, which likely explains many fears and resistances. It concerns the autonomy of those giving birth and the respect for their choices in their life journeys and over their own bodies.

Ce texte a été pensé et rédigé par l’association Maison des doulas - Lille

Doula Solidarity and Support Initiative: 

Open Call

The Doula Solidarity and Support hub was set up on 1st April 2022 in response to the escalating refugee crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and now has over 200 doulas in countries all across Europe and beyond.

International doulas, who agree to the EDN Code of Ethics, are connecting to offer their support to women and those in vulnerable circumstances, particularly during the perinatal period. 

This initiative is now being scaled up to connect local initiatives offering perinatal support to those in situations of social precarity such as migrant and refugee women, pregnant women under 21 years, imprisoned women, minority and marginalised communities including LGBTQi+ and the disabled.

Doulas are stronger together

Words of doula unity, expressed during the EDN Lille conference Welcoming Ceremony on Friday 5th October 2024.



We are human, we all have shadows, and there is no small value in giving others the benefit of the doubt when mistakes may have been made or misunderstandings may have arisen. 

Listening is a doula superpower and is even more important when the subject area is one that makes us uncomfortable. Only through listening respectfully, and reflecting on our own biases and judgements can we begin to see things from other perspectives and have a chance of developing greater understanding and capacity for greater compassion.

Doulas can usually pride themselves for their emotional intelligence and capacity to learn from some of the most challenging situations a human being may face. Let’s use this capacity for strength through humility also when dealing with each other and finding a way through difficulties.

There is already too much terrible conflict in the world, let’s not bring conflict into the doula world too. 

Finding pathways to respect, despite our differences, reflects our core values, which help us bring out the best in our common humanity. 

We are stronger together.

European Doula Network
International Non-Profit Organisation 
28 March 2022


EDN Statement of 

Doula Solidarity and Support 

(abridged version: full versions translated below)


The European Doula Network stands unified and strong in its solidarity and support of doulas from Ukraine, Europe and around the world in this World Doula Week, and year round. Through the EDN, we meet, connect and bond, making close friendships that transcend all boundaries. The EDN stands by and for doulas everywhere.

About doulas

Doulas are an age-old phenomenon, however they are little known about, and frequently misunderstood in the present day. Doulas offer kindness, love and comfort to those at the crossroads of life: in maternity, during life-changing transitions such as puberty, menopause, grief and separation and also at death. 


Their role is to listen without judgement, to inform of available options without bias and to connect people with the specialised professionals, community networks and resources most able to help. Doulas generally work ‘on call’ 24 hours a day during periods when they are likely to be needed, then offer continuous personal support at the time when they are most needed: during labour, birth and at end of life (for the terminally ill).  Doulas offer continuity of presence.


As Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale sought to bring their care and compassion to improve the wellbeing of men in need in their time, we doulas aim to bring our care and compassion to women in need in our time.


About doula support for vulnerable populations

A number of doula organisations already offer developmental training to doulas to help them support vulnerable and traumatised women, a topic also presented at the EDN2020 online conference. EDN member, Doulas Without Borders, is a non-profit dedicated to supporting vulnerable women in a variety of situations.


Doulas believe that all those giving birth should do so with respect and without fear, regardless of their position in society. Unfortunately, the current crisis is not new, with an estimated 84 million forcibly displaced people worldwide in mid-2021 (UNHCR). 


About doula support during birth

The majority of doulas work within the birthing community. The most comprehensive  overview of the research on the benefits of doulas, the Cochrane Report (2017), on Continuous Support For Women During Childbirth, found no harmful impact found for the presence of a doula. Even within stable populations, systemic issues can jeopardise the sense of physical and emotional safety needed during birth. Doula’s presence aims to help minimise the triggering of the hormonal fear-tension-pain cycle. As Dr John Kennel said, 

‘If a doula were a drug it would be unethical not to use it’.


Doulas the world over have recently demonstrated their strength, resilience and flexibility whilst supporting women through the Coronavirus Pandemic, despite their presence at birth frequently being denied. Emotional support can and has been offered remotely, although the comfort and connection of receiving this care in person can never be rivalled, as the pandemic has shown everyone.


About the EDN

The European Doula Network is a grassroots non-profit, established in 2011, with the aim of connecting doula organisations across Europe sharing a common Code of Ethics (also translated). 


The core values of our organisation are: connecting, informing, supporting and we feel this is a pivotal moment in which we can let the whole of Europe know about our mission, to reach those who need our reassurance and for them to feel empowered by our kindness and love. 


EDN Core Organisers,

Debbie Mitchell, Maria Andreoulaki, Anita Budak

Connecting, Supporting and Informing is our purpose, our driving force. It's the reason we get up every day and do what we do as volunteers. It keeps pushing us to come up with new ideas to meet every new challenge. 

Please support EDN and help us in creating greater awareness of the role of the doula and appreciation for the contribution each doula is making to the wellbeing of individuals and families within their communities.