What is World Doula Week?

The World Doula Week initiative started in Israel as the first Doula Day which took place on March 22, 2011. Ruti Karni Horowitz, the entrepreneur of the project, suggested that CAPPA join the project and CAPPA agreed with great passion and enthusiasm. It has since been agreed that this collaboration should not be exclusive to just one doula organization, but instead, include ALL doulas and doula organizations around the world.

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:

• Reduces the incidence of c-sections
• May shorten the length of labor
• Reduces epidural and analgesic requests
• Increases breastfeeding initiation and continuation
• Increases mother’s satisfaction of birth experience
• Can reduce the incidence of postpartum mood disorders
• Increases new parents’ confidence in the care of their newborn

When is World Doula Week?

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

How Can I Get Involved? 

Here's what you can do first:

• Follow World Doula Week on Facebook!
• Go to the Get Involved page for tips and ideas!
• List your World Doula Week Event(s) on our Facebook Event Page!