World Doula Week begins with World Doula Day on March 22nd and will continue until March 28th annually. March 22nd was chosen because it is the spring equinox, which represents the return of fertility in countless cultures.

The purpose of World Doula Week (WDW) is to empower doulas all over the world to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families in birth and in the postpartum period.

The World Doula Week events will take place all over the world during the same week, stating the benefits of the presence of doulas in birth and in the postpartum period and celebrating doulas.

How can you get involved ?

Raise awareness about doulas (either the work you do or the support you received)

Share posts on social media (remember to tag us in DoulaCare Ireland and #worlddoulaweek)

Run events like local meet ups

Speak to Health Care Professionals to build working relationships

Remember to give us a shout out by tagging or hashtag DoulaCare Ireland

We still have spaces remaining on our doula training courses if this is an area you would like to work in. Look up our website under "Institute" for our remaining 2024 course dates

So lets chat about what a doula is exactly:

There are many specialist areas of doula work such as:

• Birth Doula

• Postpartum Doula

• Fertility Doula

• Full Spectrum Doula

• Adoption Doula

• Menopause Doula

• Death Doula

• Bereavement Doula

• Abortion Doula

Doulas support families in many aspects of their journey through fertility, pregnancy , birth and early parenting. Some clients will choose one area of support and others will have their doula support them from start to finish

Is there evidence to support the doula role?

Doula support during pregnancy, birth, and during the postpartum period has been shown to be an effective best practice that can enhance the birthing experience, reduce complications, and improve outcomes for women/birthing people and infants.

When looking at evidence based research, best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labour support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network.

The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support from a doula during childbirth experience a:

• 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean

• 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

• 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief

• Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average

• 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score

• 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

What do doulas do?

Meet you where you are at.

• Help you to prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for labour, birth and parenting

• Explain all of your options to you and help you to understand the true risks and benefits of those options

• Help you to understand your rights

• Help you to filter information to make true informed decisions

• Offer unbiased information and support (we are not bound by a particular hospitals policies or procedures)

• Care for you “Mothering the mother” : making you food, keeping you comfortable , helping you to shower etc

• Offer reassurance and support at every turn

• Get to know you and your support network, to offer true continuity of care

• And so much more...this is the tip of the iceberg!

Birth Doulas:

Birth Doulas are there to provide you with physical, emotional and educational support throughout your pregnancy and will be there alongside you and your birth partner/support person as you have your baby.

They are committed to providing non-biased, evidence-based information should you require it and are there to support you during your labour to have a positive birth experience.

DoulaCare Ireland support YOUR CHOICES every step of the way. No matter what type of labour, birth or parenting experience you want.

Postpartum Doulas:

Postpartum Doulas provide non-medical, physical and emotional support and household assistance after the birth of your baby(ies). They provide evidence based support to help your emotional and physical recovery from birth and assist you with the care and feeding of your new baby, including breastfeeding / bottle-feeding assistance, bathing, and comfort measures.

A Doula will not take over care of your baby, but assist you in learning to care for your baby’s needs yourself. They assist with family adjustment, including sibling emotions or savouring your new dynamic in your relationship (with your partner, if applicable) and family.

What does labour support look like?

Informational Support can involve information gathering and explanation of procedures throughout pregnancy and during birth.

Physical Support can include comfort measures, massage, relaxation and positioning. A doula will demonstrate positions in labour and show hands-on comfort measures.

Emotional Support means that we are a familiar face, offering reassurance and encouragement throughout your pregnancy and labour.

Continuity of care, we stay with you right from early labour at home - through hospital staff shift changes, until your baby is born.

In DoulaCare Ireland all doulas we represent are highly trained and passionate. They have all undertaken professional training with a reputable organisation and many have other areas of expertise.

All Doulas who work with DoulaCare Ireland are insured and work under a strict code of ethics with passion and professionalism. We have hand picked Doulas for their enthusiasm, empathy and work ethic.

We offer Doulas with many personalities to ensure each family can find the right match for them. Our doula co-ordinator will get to know what you need/want in doula support and match you with the perfect doula (who you meet and decide if youre happy to go ahead first)