Birth for Humankind

Birth for Humankind Birth for Humankind provides pregnancy, birth & postnatal support.

Birth for Humankind is a Melbourne-based non-profit organisation providing free pregnancy, birth and postnatal support to birthing people experiencing social and financial disadvantage. We support young women, women from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, women experiencing homelessness, as well as other people in vulnerable, at-risk or disadvantaged circumstances, who benefit most from contin

uous care and support but face many barriers that can prevent access to it. Our team of volunteer doulas are dedicated to improving the birth experiences and outcomes to women and birthing people who may otherwise go without adequate care and support.

Support doesn’t stop when the baby arrives!Our 2025–26 data shows the different ways our volunteer doulas supported peop...
20/08/2026

Support doesn’t stop when the baby arrives!

Our 2025–26 data shows the different ways our volunteer doulas supported people experiencing financial hardship and systemic disadvantage throughout their maternity journeys.

Of the 97 doula services delivered:
✨ 59 included pregnancy and birth support
✨ 38 included extended postnatal support

That means our doulas were there not only to support people through pregnancy and birth, but also during the transition into early parenting... a time when practical, emotional and social support is just as important!

From preparing for birth, to navigating appointments and making informed decisions, to providing reassurance and practical support after birth, our doulas walk alongside clients throughout their journey.

Behind every service is a person, a family and a unique experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

We’re so proud of what our volunteer doulas have made possible this year 🩷

Image description: A collection of images with a white background and pink text, there is a blue and yellow pie chart on the first image.

19/08/2026

... but we’re also a room full of people who believe everyone deserves compassionate birth support. 
 
Interested in joining the Birth for Humankind Volunteer Doula Team? 
  
Applications *this week* for our next Volunteer Doula Orientation happening on Saturday 12th September 2026 (Melbourne, CBD). 
  
As a volunteer doula with Birth for Humankind, you’ll support families — particularly those facing social and financial disadvantage — to feel seen, heard, and respected during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. You’ll walk alongside clients during one of life’s most transformative moments, helping them find strength, confidence, and culturally-safe support. 
  
When you join our team, you also join a community of more than 50 active volunteer doulas. Together, we learn, grow, and build skills through expert-led training, ongoing mentorship, and free or low-cost professional development designed specifically for birth workers. 
  
If you’re a trained doula, midwife, or student midwife living in Greater Melbourne, and you’re passionate about trauma-informed, inclusive care, we’d love to hear from you. 
  
Ready to learn more? 
All details, eligibility criteria, and the full application process are at the link in our bio. Applications close 23rd August. 
  
Know someone who’d be a great fit? 
Please share this post and help us reach more doulas who want to make birth fairer, safer, and more supported for everyone. 
  
We can’t wait to welcome the next wave of volunteer doulas into our community. 
  
With 🩷 from the Birth for Humankind Team 
  
Video description: The video pans from right to left showing a previous orientation day, with doulas standing, sitting, and walking in the event space. There is white text with black outline on the screen. 
  

Pregnancy should be a time of safety. For people experiencing family violence, it can be a time of increased risk.[conte...
13/08/2026

Pregnancy should be a time of safety. For people experiencing family violence, it can be a time of increased risk.

[content note: discussions of domestic and family violence, and violence against women]

We woke up this week to yet another devastating report of a woman killed in Australia in the context of domestic and family violence.

We cannot accept this as inevitable. Pregnancy can be a particularly vulnerable time for people experiencing family violence. Violence can begin during pregnancy, or existing violence can escalate. It can include physical and sexual violence, coercive control, financial abuse, reproductive coercion, isolation, threats and controlling access to healthcare.

Around 1 in 7 women who experienced violence from a current partner and were pregnant during the relationship experienced violence during pregnancy. For some, pregnancy was the first time they experienced violence from their partner.

This matters to maternity care.

People experiencing family violence may face barriers to attending appointments, accessing information, making decisions about their care or feeling safe enough to disclose what is happening.

At Birth for Humankind, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, heard and supported throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

We stand with victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, and we believe preventing violence against women requires action across our communities, services and systems.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available:

📞 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
📞 Safe Steps - 1800 015 188
🚨 000 - If you or someone else is in immediate danger

13/08/2026

Interested in joining the Birth for Humankind Volunteer Doula Team? 
  
Applications are *closing soon* for our next Volunteer Doula Orientation happening on Saturday 12th September 2026 (Melbourne, CBD). 
  
As a volunteer doula with Birth for Humankind, you’ll support families — particularly those facing social and financial disadvantage — to feel seen, heard, and respected during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. You’ll walk alongside clients during one of life’s most transformative moments, helping them find strength, confidence, and culturally-safe support. 
  
When you join our team, you also join a community of more than 50 active volunteer doulas. Together, we learn, grow, and build skills through expert-led training, ongoing mentorship, and free or low-cost professional development designed specifically for birth workers. 
  
If you’re a trained doula, midwife, or student midwife living in Greater Melbourne, and you’re passionate about trauma-informed, inclusive care, we’d love to hear from you. 
  
Ready to learn more? 
All details, eligibility criteria, and the full application process are at the link in our bio. Applications close 23rd August. 
  
Know someone who’d be a great fit? 
Please share this post and help us reach more doulas who want to make birth fairer, safer, and more supported for everyone. 
  
We can’t wait to welcome the next wave of volunteer doulas into our community. 
  
With 🩷 from the Birth for Humankind Team 
  
Video description: A collection of videos showing the event space, a doula circle, volunteer doulas, thank you bags, and a group photo at the end. There is white text with black outline on the screen. 
  

30/07/2026

When you volunteer with Birth for Humankind, you become part of a movement working to make birth fairer, safer, and more supported for every family.

Our volunteer doulas walk alongside people during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting — offering steady care, continuity, and culturally-safe support. Your presence helps families from marginalised communities feel seen, heard, and respected during one of life’s most transformative moments.

If you’re a trained doula, midwife, or student midwife living in Greater Melbourne and you want to create real impact, our next Volunteer Doula Orientation is happening on Saturday 12th September 2026 (Melbourne, CBD).

Applications are ✨NOW OPEN✨
Find all the details and how to apply via our website. Applications close 23rd August.

With 🩷 from the Birth for Humankind Team

Image description: A collection of photos from previous Birth for Humankind orientations, training days, and conferences. Photos are of people sitting, standing, learning, eating, talking, hugging, journalling, teaching, and more.

28/07/2026

When you join the Birth for Humankind Volunteer Doula Team, you’re not just signing up to support families — you’re joining a community committed to growing alongside you.

Our volunteer doulas have access to expert-led training, ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and free or low-cost professional development designed specifically for birth worthier. It’s a space to deepen your skills, build confidence, and connect with others who share your commitment to trauma-informed, inclusive-care.

If you’re a trained doula, midwife, or student midwife living in Greater Melbourne and you want to create real impact, our next Volunteer Doula Orientation is happening on Saturday 12th September 2026 (Melbourne, CBD).

Applications are ✨NOW OPEN✨
Find all the details and how to apply via our website. Applications close 23rd August.

With 🩷 from the Birth for Humankind Team

Image description: The first page is an image a group of people sitting in a circle in nature whilst someone is talking, and white text. The remaining pages have a turquoise background and white text.

23/07/2026

Want to help us make a difference in the lives of women & birthing people and their families?

Applications are now open for our next Volunteer Doula Orientation happening on Saturday 12th September 2026 (Melbourne, CBD).

As a volunteer doula with Birth for Humankind, you’ll support families — particularly those facing social and financial disadvantage — to feel seen, heard, and respected during pregnancy, birth, and the early postnatal period. You’ll walk alongside clients during one of life’s most transformative moments, helping them find strength, confidence, and culturally-safe support.

When you join our team, you also join a community of more than 50 active volunteer doulas. Together, we learn, grow, and build skills through expert-led training, ongoing mentorship, and free or low-cost professional development designed specifically for birth workers.

If you’re a trained doula, midwife, or student midwife living in Greater Melbourne, and you’re passionate about trauma-informed, inclusive care, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready to learn more?
All details, eligibility criteria, and the full application process are at the link in our bio. Applications close 23rd August.

Know someone who’d be a great fit?
Please share this post and help us reach more doulas who want to make birth fairer, safer, and more supported for everyone.

We can’t wait to welcome the next wave of volunteer doulas into our community.

With 🩷 from the Birth for Humankind Team

Image description: A doula providing physical/emotional support to a birthing person during labour.

Today marks the final day of Birth Trauma Awareness Week, led by .org.au.This year’s theme, “The Cost of Birth Trauma,” ...
19/07/2026

Today marks the final day of Birth Trauma Awareness Week, led by .org.au.

This year’s theme, “The Cost of Birth Trauma,” reminds us that birth trauma extends far beyond the birth itself. Its impacts can be physical, psychological, emotional and financial, affecting not only those who give birth, but also their families, communities and our broader health system.

Birth Trauma Australia’s new report estimates that birth injuries and trauma cost Australia $17.5 billion each year. Behind that figure are countless people navigating difficult births, complex recoveries and experiences that can shape their wellbeing long after pregnancy ends.

At Birth for Humankind, we see *every day* how compassionate, continuous and trauma-informed support can make a meaningful difference. Through free one-to-one doula support, we walk alongside people experiencing financial hardship and systemic disadvantage during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting care, helping them feel informed, heard, respected and supported.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and empowered throughout their maternity care!

As Birth Trauma Awareness Week comes to a close, we encourage you to learn more, read the report and help advocate for maternity care that prevents trauma wherever possible and supports those who experience it.

Thank you to .org.au for leading this important national conversation, and to our friend for helping amplify this message. We also acknowledge the ongoing work of , whose advocacy for people seeking asylum and refugees intersects with the experiences of many families we are privileged to support.



[images supplied by .org.au]

Address

552 Victoria Street
North Melbourne, VIC
3051

Telephone

+611300073086

Website

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