Our Story
When we came together in 2015 as experienced doulas from different schools of thought, we shared a common goal: to introduce the then-new art of "doula" to Turkey and ground it in firm principles. Those early meetings, shaped around kitchen tables, have grown into a strong union of solidarity that champions the ethics and training standards of our field.
At the Doula Initiative, we dream of a world where every woman has access to a birth environment that is respectful, supportive, and empowering. To turn this vision into reality, we strive to elevate the prestige of doulas by centering our work on ethical values, scientific evidence, and professional excellence.
We aim to be more than just a network; we are an inclusive bridge for doulas, dedicated to earning our profession the respect it deserves and sharing evidence-based insights with the public. It is now time to carry this legacy of solidarity, built stitch by stitch over many years, into the future together.
Our Vision
We envision a world where supportive, safe, and empowering birth environments—where every woman's individual needs are respected—are accessible to all.
Toward this goal, we work to ensure the doula profession is recognized, respected, and strengthened within the framework of ethical values, scientific foundations, and professional standards.
Our Mission
We work to ensure that the doula profession is recognized, respected, and strengthened in every field within the framework of ethical values, scientific foundations, and professional standards.
By establishing an inclusive solidarity network among our colleagues, we consider it our duty to elevate the quality of doula services in Turkey to the highest level through shared standards and transparent principles.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Our Goals
Professional Standards and a Strong Umbrella
As a unifying force for doulas, we are building a common language and ethical framework that supports professional development. By setting high standards in training and service processes, we aim to continuously maintain and improve this quality.
Public Awareness and Support for All
We prioritize the accurate promotion of the doula profession by raising awareness about birth support. Simultaneously, we develop projects to ensure this valuable service is accessible to every family, regardless of economic conditions.
Advocacy and Professional Solidarity
We protect the collective interests of our members and strongly advocate for our professional rights across all platforms. While contributing to the expansion of respectful birth environments, we work shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure doulanship achieves its deserved prestige in society.
Global Cooperation and International Vision
To maintain a presence not only locally but also globally, we deepen our relationships with international doula associations. As an active part of the global network, we ensure continuous mutual cooperation and experience sharing.
Ethical Principles and Professional Boundaries
As the Doula Initiative, we take our ethical values and sense of responsibility as our guide to ensure that women receive the best possible support during their birth processes.
While supporting the professional and personal development of doulas, we encourage working in accordance with ethical standards. Our work based on these principles aims to protect the rights and privacy of both the doulas and the families they support.
1. Fundamental Professional Principles
Supplementary Support
A doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to parents during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. A doula never has the authority to perform medical interventions, diagnoses, or treatments. In their practice, they adopt the principle of complementary support.
Transparency and Honesty
A doula gains the trust of families by clearly stating her boundaries and responsibilities, and conducts her work within an ethical framework.
Valid Education Requirement
Doulas with Accredited Member status must have successfully completed a comprehensive training program that meets our standards. Colleagues who are still undergoing training or who wish to support our vision are included in our network as Solidarity Members . This approach aims to guarantee professional competence while keeping our community together.
Privacy
A doula keeps all private information of the families she works with confidential and takes great care to protect this information. Respecting the privacy of families is a fundamental responsibility of the profession.
Informed Choice
A doula provides unbiased information to enable parents to make informed choices and does not direct them in the decision-making process. While accompanying families through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, they share only evidence-based information and facilitate communication with healthcare professionals when needed.
Compliance with the Law
Doulas conduct their work in accordance with current laws and regulations. They respect the Ministry of Health's birth policies, operate within legal limits, and support families within this framework.
2. Professionalism in Relationships
Respect and Courtesy
A doula approaches parents, family members, and other healthcare professionals with a respectful and constructive attitude.
Accurate Representation
A doula works to strengthen the position of doulas in society by accurately representing her profession and herself.
Contribution to Society
A doula, aware that her profession is a social issue, contributes to local and international communities.
3. Continuous Professional Development
Education and Development
Community Awareness
Sharing Experiences and Mentoring
A doula continuously pursues personal and professional development. They participate in training programs to acquire new knowledge and skills, engage in community events, and keep professional standards up-to-date.
A doula plays an active role within the community to advocate for the ethical and professional standards of doula community.
A doula is not alone on her professional journey. She regularly shares experiences with colleagues to process challenging birthing experiences, gain new perspectives, and strengthen professional solidarity. She receives mentorship from more experienced doulas when needed, or provides support to new colleagues.
4. Inclusive Approach
Diversity and Inclusion
A doula respects the individual needs and preferences of each parent. They provide services with a sensitive, equitable, and inclusive approach that takes into account cultural background, ethnicity, beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, family structure, and physical or mental differences.
Accessibility
The doula strives to make her services accessible regardless of economic circumstances and contributes to community projects in this regard.
Non-judgmental Support and Compassionate Space
A doula approaches families' birth and parenting choices without imposing their own personal beliefs or biases. Believing that each family can make the best decision within its own dynamic, they create a non-judgmental, emotionally safe space for them.
Our Policy Documents
The Doula Initiative promotes the provision of all doula services in accordance with ethical and professional standards. Our policy documents detail the framework of all ethical principles and professional standards adopted and implemented by members of the Doula Initiative. The Doula Initiative considers the implementation of these standards a responsibility for all members and is committed to addressing any violations seriously and transparently.
(Click the icon or title to read the complete Policy Document.)
The Doula Initiative advocates for complementary support services as an approach that empowers families during the birthing process and works in harmony with medical care. This policy encourages doulas to provide complementary support services within ethical, professional, and legal standards.
Policy for Women-Respectful Birthing Environments
The Doula Initiative believes that women-respecting birthing environments should address not only the physical needs of individuals but also their emotional and psychological needs. This policy aims to promote practices that protect, support, and empower women's rights during childbirth.
Doula Training and Certification Policy
The Doula Initiative prioritizes education and certification processes to ensure the recognition and development of the doula profession in accordance with professional standards. This policy is designed to support doulas in working with ethical values, scientific foundations, and professional standards.
Membership Policy
The Doula Initiative guides its members with the aim of advancing the doula profession, contributing to society, and providing services within an ethical framework. Our membership policy offers clear rules and processes for individuals who embrace the organization's goals and wish to contribute.
Privacy and Data Protection Policy
The Doula Initiative considers the protection of the personal information of both its members and the families it serves to be one of its top priorities. This policy outlines our privacy and data protection practices, demonstrating our commitment to the privacy of our community.
Gender Equality and Inclusion Policy
The Doula Initiative considers gender equality and inclusion as cornerstones of its professional responsibility. It believes that doula services should be provided in a way that is sensitive to the needs of all, fair, and accessible. Recognizing that women's rights in childbirth are a gender issue, it adopts an approach that supports the rights of women and all individuals.
Communication and Representation Policy
The Doula Initiative, with its approach supporting gender equality and women's rights in childbirth, has developed a communication and representation policy to ensure accurate public representation and effective communication of its message. This policy is designed to regulate the organization's internal and external communication processes, create a consistent public image, and adopt an effective advocacy approach.
Compliance with Public Policies Policy
The Doula Initiative is committed to conducting its activities in accordance with the current legislation and regulations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey. This policy has been prepared to promote the recognition of the doula profession within a legal framework and to implement the initiative's ethical values in a manner consistent with public policies.
Social Responsibility Policy
The Doula Initiative considers contributing to society and creating a supportive environment for women during their birthing process as one of its fundamental responsibilities. This policy has been prepared to clarify the social responsibilities of doulas at both individual and societal levels.