March 22nd is the start of World Doula Week. The annual celebration started in 2011 and its purpose is to empower doulas and improve the overall health of women through the birthing experience and the postpartum process.
Dana Cooper is with Doulas of Duluth and has been working as a doula since 2016. “I kind of think of us as life coaches for people going through the transformation into parenthood,” says Cooper.
Cooper is hopeful for the future of doulas in the area. Her goal is to create a diverse doula workforce while creating a sustainable career. "Doulas have historically either worked underpaid or for nothing at all, so I have a pretty strong mission." You can learn more about Doulas of Duluth at their website.