How doula care improves outcomes for mother and baby
Unfortunately many people, both in medical professions and in the general public, view doula care for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum parents as an expensive luxury. But would people view doula care differently if they knew that the presence of a doula before, during, and after birth can act as preventative care against physical and mental health complications related togiving birth?
The Origin Story of a Death Doula
I am here to tell you my origin story: how I chose to become a death doula, and just how much it means to me. My journey to becoming a death doula began in 2017, with the death of my grandfather, whom I called Papa.
The History of Death Doulas Part III: From home to hospital
How did we get from home-based death care to a more medical one? The emergence of hospitals in the 20th century significantly changed how society viewed and experienced death in several important ways.
The History of Death Doulas Part II: The hospice movement
The hospice movement has had a global impact, with organizations and hospice services established in many countries. However, access to hospice and palliative care remains uneven across different regions due to healthcare disparities and varying cultural attitudes towards death and dying.
Supporting choices and voices in birth: Ciara’s “why”
For me, the path to becoming a birth worker is deeply intertwined with my own journey of healing, empowerment, and reclaiming sovereignty over my body and wellness.
The HeartWay Training: Embracing Life by Honoring Death
This End-of-Life Practitioner training (death doula training) is an in-depth training and takes place over the course of 12 months both online and in person. Students explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of death and dying.
Learning how to support people at the end of life: Lori’s experience
Lori is a born helper, listener, and encourager. After supporting families at the beginning of life as a nanny, Lori realized that she could use the same skills at the end of life. After all, there are a lot of similarities.
The History of Death Doulas: Emergence and Training
Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas or death midwives, are trained professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and their families during the dying process.
Stop saying “health disparities” when it’s really obstetric racism
The statistics for black and brown birthing people are terrible. In Tennessee black people are 69% more likely to die than white people. It’s heartbreaking and maddening and dire. I asked Kaila, “Why? What can we do?”
Why I am becoming and End-of-Life Doula
To me, death is a part of life that we cannot avoid. But what happens at the time of death and afterwards, has always been an unknown.
Why are death doulas so important?
Support from death doulas during the time of death addresses various aspects of the dying process: emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual.
Support is not a luxury: How the Momager Collective in Virginia is making doula support accessible to all
When Taja Iglesias, a young BIPOC girl with a Spanish last name, gave birth in southern Florida over a decade ago, she had no idea that her experience would inspire her to create a doula agency that would support families in the U.S. and beyond.
After a traumatic first birth, I hired a doula for my second
I experienced a very traumatic birth with my first child that caused physical injuries to both of us, as well as postpartum depression and the inability to breastfeed. My family doctor, who had been at my first birth and knew what I wanted to avoid, suggested a doula.
How death doulas support the dying and their families too
When his grandfather passed away, Marquis Allen flew in from out of town to pay his respects and be with his family during a delicate and sad time. After some reflection and research, Marquis learned about the existence of death doulas, trained professionals who assist families in taking care of the end of life planning.
How one doula collective in Memphis is addressing the Black maternal health crisis
Doulas support all kinds of people and all kinds of births, without judgement. If every mother felt heard and supported in her birth, just imagine the potential impact on maternal physical and mental health worldwide.
End-of-life doulas are there to walk you home
What is an End-of-Life Doula and how do they support families? Sheila Burke, death doula, author, and Global Doula Project grant recipient, explains.
The myth of the “super” parent
Before my first baby was born I remember being home on maternity leave and feeling a bit lost, like I didn’t have a purpose…