Save with this Bundle, Priced at $55(members); $90(non-members)

Perinatal Health Equity for Indigenous People in the United States 

 American Indian/Alaska Native birthing people in the United States face profound inequities during and around the time of childbirth. This has long been true and continues to be true, with headline after headline indicating loss of maternity services in rural and tribal communities, workforce shortages, financial challenges, and safety concerns. These and other challenges result in growing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality, with American Indian/Alaska Native people being at least 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white people. Dr. Kozhimannil will discuss these and other barriers to safe and healthy birth for Indigenous people through examination of historical and contemporary factors that shape these inequities. She will also lead participants in looking forward by discussing clinical, public health, and policy efforts that may decrease maternal mortality and improve equity for Indigenous people, including through highlighting positive changes already happening in Indigenous communities across the country.

Growing Equity from the Roots Up: Using HEIA to Cultivate Thriving Doula Communities 

 Like a well-tended community garden, thriving doula programs require strong roots in community and careful cultivation. This interactive session explores how the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool can help doula programs grow from deep community roots toward unlimited heights of impact. Participants will learn to nurture equity from the ground up, identifying systemic barriers that may stunt growth, while developing strategies to help their programs/businesses flourish sustainably. Through hands-on activities and collaborative learning, attendees will cultivate practical skills for implementing HEIA in their own communities, ensuring their doula programs/businesses can weather challenges while reaching new heights of service, support, and impact. This session qualifies for 1.5 (DONA/DEI/CA-BRN) contact hours and was originally presented at the 2025 DONA Summit in Seattle, Washington.

The Role of Doulas in Advancing Birth Justice 

 Birth justice is a movement led by Black women and people of color that seeks to recognize systemic inequalities and empower people in communities in the pregnancy and birthing process. In 2023, Elephant Circle conducted a landscape analysis of birth justice in the US using mixed methods. A quarter of survey respondents identified as Doulas. This presentation examines the results of the analysis related to Doulas including their demographic characteristics, experiences of discrimination, involvement in networks, services provided, extent of community organizing work and advocacy activities, sustainability, and compensation. We will present insights on how to best support Doulas to provide Birth Justice services and avoid burnout and moral injury. Finally, we will reveal our interactive tool for advocacy and education about birth justice. The presentation will shed light on how to integrate, uplift, and replicate birth justice values and practices to improve equity in the care provided by Doulas. This session qualifies for 1 contact hour (DEI/Cultural Comp)

Growing Equity from the Roots Up: Using HEIA to Cultivate Thriving Doula Communities

Like a well-tended community garden, thriving doula programs require strong roots in community and careful cultivation. This interactive session explores how the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool can help doula programs grow from deep community roots toward unlimited heights of impact. Participants will learn to nurture equity from the ground up, identifying systemic barriers that may stunt growth, while developing strategies to help their programs/businesses flourish sustainably. Through hands-on activities and collaborative learning, attendees will cultivate practical skills for implementing HEIA in their own communities, ensuring their doula programs/businesses can weather challenges while reaching new heights of service, support, and impact. This session qualifies for 1.5 (DONA/DEI/CA-BRN) contact hours and was originally presented at the 2025 DONA Summit in Seattle, Washington.

SPEAKER

Tonya Daniel

DONA Leadership invites DONA members to our annual membership meeting!

Each year the DONA International Board of Directors holds a membership meeting during the meeting you’ll hear from leadership with a report from the prior year as well as what’s coming in the future! This year we'll be using a different format which will include a brief live update from the podium and then an interactive experience where our in-person attendees can talk to board members more directly. 

A full video update will be available after the meeting via DONA Elevate for all. 

In-person and virtual attendees will receive 1 DONA Contact hour for attendance at the membership meeting.

Things to expect:

State of DONA International an Brief Updates
An interactive discussion based opportunity to connect directly with your 2025 DONA Leadership
Ways to get involved and help your voice be heard
Full video update with details about each area
 
Join us for this annual meeting! We can’t wait to see you!

Doulas provide care with their hands, but it is their hearts that sustain the work. In this powerful keynote, Ellen Burton will explore the essential connection between personal well-being and professional impact. Attendees will gain practical tools to cultivate total self-care, maintain balance, and navigate the evolving healthcare landscape with confidence. With a focus on sustainable growth, collaboration, and trust, this session will empower doulas to build their businesses while prioritizing their own health and resilience.

This inspiring conversation will honor the legacy of DONA’s founder, Penny Simkin, and reaffirm a commitment to the values that drive doula work. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to advocate for doula services, protect their self-care, and expand their impact—regardless of external challenges. They will walk away feeling more grounded, confident, and prepared to navigate the future of birth work with strength and clarity.

*This session was recorded as part of the 2025 DONA Summit in Seattle, Washington.* 

SPEAKER

Ellen Burton Read Bio

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum, yet they often go unrecognized. In this keynote session, Dr. Sara Moyer will examine the evolving landscape of perinatal mental health and introduce the Perinatal Mental Health Screenings Toolkit, including the recently updated EPDS-US screening tool and PMH Connect resource/information sheet.

Learn how this critical screening tool is being refined to better identify those at risk, and explore the role of birth and postpartum professionals in fostering person-centered  education, early detection, intervention, and meaningful support for families.

This session was recorded as part of the 2025 in-person conference and qualifies for DEI/Cultural Competency & BRN-CA nursing credit. 

Save with this Bundle, Priced at $55(members); $90(non-members)

Connected Care: Helping New Dads and Non-Gestational Parents Thrive in Early Parenting

(1.5 CH), This session focuses on the unique needs of dads and other non-gestational parents, exploring how doulas can better support them during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Through discussion and practical tools, participants will learn strategies to engage and empower all parents, strengthening their confidence and connection. Led by Andrew Gordon-Kirsch, the workshop offers insights and a checklist doulas can use in practice.

Beyond Depression: Perinatal Mental Health, Symptom Screening, and the Doula's Key Role

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum, yet they often go unrecognized. In this keynote session, Dr. Sara Moyer will examine the evolving landscape of perinatal mental health and introduce the Perinatal Mental Health Screenings Toolkit, including the recently updated EPDS-US screening tool and PMH Connect resource/information sheet.

Learn how this critical screening tool is being refined to better identify those at risk, and explore the role of birth and postpartum professionals in fostering person-centered  education, early detection, intervention, and meaningful support for families.

The Best Start: Strategies to Reduce Early Feeding Problems

This webinar provides a chronological review of recommended approaches to positioning and latch during the newborn period and a research-based summary that clarifies which approaches make early lactation easier, which make it more difficult, and why. It includes the information needed to implement a simplified lactation initiation strategy designed to reduce the incidence of the 3 most common early problems, as well as details about online resources freely available to families.

With approximately 4.4 million podcasts available, podcasting is one of the fastest-growing media forms—yet only around 14% are actively producing new episodes. What separates a thriving podcast from one that fades away? Join podcasting pioneer Adriana Lozada for an insider’s look at the real work behind creating and sustaining a successful show. As the creator and host of the acclaimed Birthful Podcast since 2014, Adriana has been at the forefront of the evolution of podcasting. In this talk, she’ll share invaluable insights, key lessons, and must-know truths. This session was recorded as part of the 2025 DONA Summit in Seattle, Washington and features full-screen viewing of the slides with audio from the speaker. 

SPEAKER

Adriana Lozada

Doulas play a crucial role in nurturing families, yet the needs of new dads and other non-gestational parents often remain unmet. Many supporting partners feel unsure of their role, struggle to balance caregiving and work, or feel excluded from early parenting conversations. When doulas actively include and support these parents, they can strengthen family bonds and build confidence in caregiving.

In this session, we’ll explore the unique concerns and needs of non-gestational parents during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as the barriers that doulas might face in supporting them. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, you’ll learn strategies to navigate these dynamics, engage and empower all parents, and foster their connection to their babies and families. While this session’s content centers on dads, many of the theories and practices discussed can apply to non-gestational parents of all genders.

Join us to expand your skills, gain new tools (including a checklist you can use in your practice), and leave feeling empowered to support all parents with confidence and care.

SPEAKER

American Indian/Alaska Native birthing people in the United States face profound inequities during and around the time of childbirth. This has long been true and continues to be true, with headline after headline indicating loss of maternity services in rural and tribal communities, workforce shortages, financial challenges, and safety concerns. These and other challenges result in growing disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality, with American Indian/Alaska Native people being at least 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white people.

Dr. Kozhimannil will discuss these and other barriers to safe and healthy birth for Indigenous people through examination of historical and contemporary factors that shape these inequities. She will also lead participants in looking forward by discussing clinical, public health, and policy efforts that may decrease maternal mortality and improve equity for Indigenous people, including through highlighting positive changes already happening in Indigenous communities across the country.

*This session was originally recorded live as part of the 2024 DONA Summit.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #17981, for 1.00 Contact Hours. Licensee must retain this document for a period of four years after the course concludes.

Birth justice is a movement led by Black women and people of color that seeks to recognize systemic inequalities and empower people in communities in the pregnancy and birthing process. In 2023, Elephant Circle conducted a landscape analysis of birth justice in the US using mixed methods. A quarter of survey respondents identified as Doulas. This presentation examines the results of the analysis related to Doulas including their demographic characteristics, experiences of discrimination, involvement in networks, services provided, extent of community organizing work and advocacy activities, sustainability, and compensation. We will present insights on how to best support Doulas to provide Birth Justice services and avoid burnout and moral injury. Finally, we will reveal our interactive tool for advocacy and education about birth justice. The presentation will shed light on how to integrate, uplift, and replicate birth justice values and practices to improve equity in the care provided by Doulas. This session qualifies for 1 contact hour (DEI/Cultural Comp)