May = International Doula Month

She was there for you when you didn’t believe in yourself. She smiled at your superwoman strength.? She was there the moment your baby was born or came to be there with you those precious weeks thereafter.? She’s an angel to you, there just when you needed her most.? She may have been your friend, sister, mother or a professional, but she’s your doula.

Whether we’ve had a doula, know one, or are one, we can appreciate the significance of the doulas in our life and the importance of there being an International Doula Month — a time set aside specifically to show our support and appreciation and to recognize these individuals and organizations for the work they do.

The DONA (Doulas of North America) website lists some ideas on how you can recognize doulas in your area.? Some examples include:

• Host a community doula education night
• Create a circle for sharing birth stories
• Host a movie night, viewing The Business of Being Born, Orgasmic Birth or Pregnant in America, as a few suggestions
• Write up an editorial or press release for your local media; May is a month for mothers, and doulas are in the thick of it!
• For a complete list with other great ideas, visit the site
• Also, read more about a photo contest! (Hurry, though, because the deadline for submissions is May 31st.)

However you choose to recognize doulas, locally or internationally, the most important thing is that we return the support they give.? Give your doula(s) a call and tell them “THANK YOU” for all they have done for you and continue to do for mothers.? May they help improve the stories of birth around the world, one mother and baby at a time.