Agape Birth Doula Services

Though their time and practices may overlap, doulas and nurses serve different roles while supporting a family during birth.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Isn't it strange how that works?

Very exciting to see this!

Health care in the United States is increasingly team-based, and doulas—who often provide emotional, physical, and educational support for patients during birth, the postpartum period, and beyond—are valuable members of many care teams.

ACOG’s new clinical guidance encourages ob-gyn collaboration with doulas and gives ob-gyns the tools they need to better understand a doula’s role. It also highlights the importance of stronger partnerships between clinicians and doulas, which can provide vital support across the lifespan—including during and after pregnancy—and can lead to better patient outcomes.

Read the press release: https://bit.ly/4flN1Eq

Proud to be a DONA Doula!
It's very exciting to see this maternity care collaboration.

📣 Breaking news for the doula community which will have major impacts on maternity care.📣

DONA International is proud to endorse "Partnering with Doulas in Clinical Settings," a new Committee Statement released by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists - ACOG.

This landmark guidance recognizes doulas as valued partners in maternity care and offers a blueprint for strengthening collaboration between doulas, clinicians, and health systems. By fostering mutual respect, communication, and shared commitment to patient-centered care, ACOG outlines a path toward improving both the birth experience and maternal health outcomes.

This Committee Statement and guidelines represent the collaborative work of ACOG's Committee on Advancing Equity in Obstetric and Gynecologic Health Care together with Adetola Louis-Jacques, MD; Rolel Mbaidjol-Kabra, MD; Angela Daniel, MSSW, CLC, BDT/AdvCD (DONA); Lauren A. Graves, CD; and Averjill Rookwood Lacey, CD.

We are grateful to everyone, including our current President-Elect, who contributed their expertise and perspective to this important guidance, which reflects a shared vision for respectful, collaborative, and patient-centered maternity care.

"It was an incredible honor to be part of this committee and to work alongside such dedicated doulas and physician champions who share a commitment to improving maternity care. This guidance demonstrates what is possible when we come together with mutual respect, a shared purpose, and a commitment to keeping birthing persons at the center of every decision." - Angela Daniel

"Partnering with Doulas in Clinical Settings" was endorsed by DONA International, Doula Trainings International, the National Black Doulas Association, and the National Health Law Program (NHeLP).

DONA President, Erica Lane, CD/PCD(DONA), shares what this means for our community.

Read the full guidance: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-statement/articles/2026/08/partnering-with-doulas-in-clinical-settings

Birth is beautiful!

"Instead of flexibility, think ACCESS!
Can your body move into the ranges of motion birth asks of it?
Can it adapt, rotate, and create space as baby moves through the pelvis?
Those are all very different questions."
-Body Ready Method

Can we stop acting like flexibility is the secret to an easier birth?

I hear it over and over again...
"Just stretch."
"Open your hips."
"Do half pigeon."

You can hinge forward and palm the floor and still have a challenging birth.

Instead of flexibility, think ACCESS!

Can your body move into the ranges of motion birth asks of it?
Can it adapt, rotate, and create space as baby moves through the pelvis?

Those are all very different questions.

A body that's extremely flexible but lacks stability or the ability to generate force isn't necessarily better prepared for birth.
A body that's rigid and afraid to move isn't either.

Birth isn't asking your body to be loose, but rather to be responsive.

Follow for more birth biomechanics to help stack the cards in your favor for birth.

Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnancy Mommas and their families/support people before, during, and immediately after birth.

Happening this weekend in Atchison at the park by the river.

The Carnival is coming back to Atchison this year!

Come join us at the Baby Shower.
We'll be at the Atchison YMCA until 3pm!