By Sharon Muza, BS, CD(DONA), BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE

Today begins the 8th Annual observance of World Doula Week. World Doula Week is celebrated every year  March 22- March 28, and corresponds to the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Initially founded by Ruti Karni Horowitz and celebrated as Doula Day, now the celebrations continue for an entire week. This event is inclusive of all doula organizations worldwide. According to the World Doula Week website, the purpose of World Doula Week 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 2018 theme is “Doulas Make it Happen” and celebrates all the ways that doulas help get families worldwide off to a great start. If you would like more information about how you can organize events in your community, consider following the World Doula Week Facebook page. Additionally, you can check out this page for suggestions on what you can do to bring awareness to this annual event. Promotional material can be viewed and downloaded here.

I hope that you are able to find a way to acknowledge and celebrate the doula profession and those people who have filled the doula role in your life. Let them know how much they mean to you. If you are a doula, I hope that your clients extend their gratitude for the impact you have had on them during their childbearing year. If this week snuck up on you, don’t worry! The month of May is also International Doula Month and you will have additional planning time to shout out all the benefits and ways that doulas support families all around the world.

Please drop us a note in the comments section below letting us know any events you have planned, any memes you have created or other things you are doing to celebrate World Doula Week 2018.