Our Mission/Values/Vision

Mission Statement

To inform, inspire, and support expectant parents to realize their own best vision for a healthy and joyful passage into parenthood.

To provide expert, state-of-the-art professional training and development for doulas and others who provide services to families during the childbearing year.

To support the establishment and long-term sustainability of doula programs and private-practice doula businesses.

Core Values

Birth Matters.
We believe that the quality and experience of birth and early parenthood have far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. This critical period of transition presents a unique opportunity for personal growth and transformation.

Pregnancy and birth are  normal life events.
We endorse the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as developed by the national Coalition to Improve Maternity Services (CIMS). This initiative promotes the Midwifery Model of Care and breastfeeding as optimal for mothers and babies.

Breastfeeding is best for moms and babies.
We provide education, advocacy, and support so that mothers who want to breastfeed will have every opportunity to have a successful and joyful experience. The Center encourages all mothers to consider breastfeeding and endorses the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative as developed by WHO-UNICEF.

Education is empowerment.
We provide evidence-based information that encourages informed decision-making, preventive action, holistic approaches, and an attitude of personal responsibility towards family health.

Doulas improve birth outcomes.
We recognize that families need special care and support during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum adjustment period. Since doulas have emerged as specialized care providers who can meet this need, the Center is committed to making doulas widely available to all families. When mothers are nurtured, they become better nurturers.

We are a community.
We foster the development of a supportive community of childbearing families and professionals who serve them and provide a space for this community to thrive.

Professional development and sustainability are top priorities for the doula movement.
We enhance the ability of doulas and doula programs to make money and mainstream their services by: (1) producing business-focused development media and training opportunities, (2) providing consulting and grant writing training to doula program implementers, and (3) leading a concerted effort to push for insurance reimbursement for doulas.

Vision Statement

To be an effective advocate for a MotherBabyFamily-centered, holistic model of maternity care in the U.S. and to reverse current trends in obstetric medical practice that result in a disproportionate number of poor outcomes.

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