Advancing Knowledge, Strengthening Communities
Research & Education for the Doula Profession
Through research dissemination, advocacy, and education, we work to elevate the doula profession and expand access to compassionate, community-centered care. Pull up a chair, we’ve got lots to share with you.
Our doula advocacy initiatives examine the impact of doulas across life’s transitions, ensuring evidence-based support reaches those who need it most.
It's our mission to educate the public about the importance of doula support. By sharing current research, telling stories, and introducing people to the world of doula work, we are creating a movement. One that shifts our society towards support, healing, and understanding birth and death.
Research Paper“Is it Mom Brain or Lack of the Village?”
Around the world, between racial, cultural, and socioeconomic variations, and even across different species, it is indisputable that mothers’ brains really do change during pregnancy and postpartum, giving rise to the notion of “mom brain” – but these changes will be experienced more smoothly and positively when mothers receive adequate support from their communities.
Sophie Mbongo summarizes the key findings of three research papers, all of which confirm that mothers’ psychological and neurological wellbeing is significantly improved by the presence of community support during the postpartum period.
Featured Initiatives
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Birth, Death & Doulas
Our podcast, Birth, Death & Doulas, educates families, healthcare providers, policy makers, and anyone working with families on the importance of social support around the times of birth and death.
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A Conversation Between Birth Doulas and Death Doulas
A conversation between birth doulas and death doulas was filmed in Memphis, Tennessee. Death doulas of Serene Transitions and birth doulas of Naturally Nurtured Birth Charitable Services are Global Doula Project grant recipients.
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“Through the Eyes of a Death Doula” Documentary
Through the Eyes of a Death Doula is a feature-length documentary directed by French-Australian filmmaker Capucine Salvi-Offer and produced by Tony Tehle & Mara Kikuchi. The film examines the role of death doulas, non-medical companions who guide individuals and families in their end-of-life journeys, and follows the movement’s impact in Bend, Oregon, and across the United States. This project offers a glimpse into the importance of death literacy highlighting the need for more accessible, holistic, end-of-life care that ultimately enriches our understanding of what it means to live and die. Global Doula Project contributed partial funding for the filming.
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End-of-Life Guidance Books
Thanks to support from the Global Doula Project, Death Doula and author Sheila Burke distributed 100 End of Life Guidance books to families in her community in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Death Café
In 2023, grant recipient Sheila Burke of Cleveland Ohio, was able to hold her first death cafe thanks to the funds received.
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End-of-Life Planning Presentations & Workshops
Cryst'l Sheer of Summit Care Partners provided multiple end-of-life planning presentations and workshops throughout the year, thanks to the grant from the Global Doula Project. Throughout 2023, Summit Care Partners provided education and outreach to hundreds of Virginia residents. We also helped five families privately complete their advance directives (outside of a workshop setting, more complex family dynamics) and facilitated important conversations focused on care and decisions to help complete their living will.
Keep it going
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Let’s connect
We’re always on the lookout for new ways to share our passion for doulas with others. No matter how big or small, reach out—we’d love to connect.