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The Doulas: Radical Care for Pregnant People
Weaving together how-to manual, activist memoir, and manifesto, The Doulas is an “honest, raw, and charged” treatise on full-spectrum doula care. ( Rewire) As more feminist conversation migrates online, the activist providers of the Doula Project remain focused on life’s physically intimate between caregivers and patients, parents and pregnancy, individuals and their own bodies. They are committed to supporting a pregnancy no matter the outcome—whether it results in birth, abortion, miscarriage, or adoption—and to facing the question of choice head-on. In this eye-opening book, Doula Project founders Mary Mahoney and Lauren Mitchell present the history, philosophy, and practices of these caregivers, contextualizing the doula movement within the larger scope of pregnancy care and reproductive rights. They illustrate how, through their unique hands-on activism, full-spectrum doulas provide tangible support for those confronting life, death, and the sticky in-between.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2016
25 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 10, 2017
Full disclosure- I am good friends with both of the authors.
I love this book. It is an important read for all people engaged in direct care work, not just abortion or pregnancy-related work and activism. "The Doulas" is both a narrative history of the founding of The Doula Project and the genesis of "full spectrum" models of pregnancy care, it is also a guide to starting a doula/direct care service. This was an emotional read. Each chapter in the book details a specific birth or abortion procedure from one or two volunteer doulas. These stories are told from the perspective of the caregiver, not the client, making for a unique and powerful perspective on what it means to provide unconditional love and support in a healthcare setting. Interspersed throughout these narratives are brief guides filled with practical advice on how to start a full spectrum doula program, with wisdom and lessons learned from Mary and Lauren, who have been "in the trenches" of direct care work for years. A beautiful book about generosity, healthcare, trauma, and love.
I love this book. It is an important read for all people engaged in direct care work, not just abortion or pregnancy-related work and activism. "The Doulas" is both a narrative history of the founding of The Doula Project and the genesis of "full spectrum" models of pregnancy care, it is also a guide to starting a doula/direct care service. This was an emotional read. Each chapter in the book details a specific birth or abortion procedure from one or two volunteer doulas. These stories are told from the perspective of the caregiver, not the client, making for a unique and powerful perspective on what it means to provide unconditional love and support in a healthcare setting. Interspersed throughout these narratives are brief guides filled with practical advice on how to start a full spectrum doula program, with wisdom and lessons learned from Mary and Lauren, who have been "in the trenches" of direct care work for years. A beautiful book about generosity, healthcare, trauma, and love.
September 15, 2023
if you want to read something that makes you want to quit your job and become a full spectrum doula this is it
March 28, 2018
Key Insights Into A Growing Movement
Maybe you’ve heard of doulas, but did you know that the role extends beyond birth? I’ve been proudly supporting all possible pregnancy outcomes and really enjoyed learning more history about how full spectrum care came about.
Maybe you’ve heard of doulas, but did you know that the role extends beyond birth? I’ve been proudly supporting all possible pregnancy outcomes and really enjoyed learning more history about how full spectrum care came about.
February 14, 2024
This book made my heart soar, sing, fracture, and grow. Supporting people through pregnancy transitions no matter their outcome - birth, stillbirth, abortion, adoption, etc. - is a dignified and compassionate practice. Trusting people and working alongside them to assert what their bodies’ need should be common practice. It’s time we start collectively investing in full-spectrum doula care and its teachings.
August 29, 2025
This book is a definite-read for those involved or interested in direct-care work! The raw truths and narratives shared helped me learn about histories, structures, and the transformation of care as a service to pregnant persons as well as how to care for and hold oneself as a care professional. One of my favorite things was learning a broader understanding of what the spectrum of both birth and abortion care looks like in an ever-changing political landscape and how we fall short with disempowering language about adoption. I felt connected to the honest stories held inside and if you ever doubt the power of narrative and connection, just pick this book up!
May 16, 2021
This book covers the history of The Doula Project, (based in NYC), and presents some stories and tips from the founders/doulas working in this field of care. I learned quite a bit about the shifting landscape in presenting pregnancy narratives, and really felt touched to read some of the stories in this book.
My mid range review comes from 2 places: gender ideology and the centering on doulas with little outside perspectives.
The authors note that their services cater to people of various gender identities and say they have shifted to using "pregnant people" as a term instead of "woman", but the book barely addresses this. In the final chapters, it explicitly states *women* are at the center of their care work. It's obviously not done maliciously but it did create a dissonance while reading.
Obviously this is a book about doulas, but I guess I hoped to hear more from the people they worked with, that being either their clients or the medical providers at the clinics they were practicing in. This is more of a personal gripe, I just felt I was getting a limited and tailored version of stories.
My long (for me) review is just a reflection of my complicated but mostly positive feelings towards this book. It was a fascinating read that brought the realities of reproductive care closer to my mind than they'd ever been before. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in reproductive rights or activist care work in general!
My mid range review comes from 2 places: gender ideology and the centering on doulas with little outside perspectives.
The authors note that their services cater to people of various gender identities and say they have shifted to using "pregnant people" as a term instead of "woman", but the book barely addresses this. In the final chapters, it explicitly states *women* are at the center of their care work. It's obviously not done maliciously but it did create a dissonance while reading.
Obviously this is a book about doulas, but I guess I hoped to hear more from the people they worked with, that being either their clients or the medical providers at the clinics they were practicing in. This is more of a personal gripe, I just felt I was getting a limited and tailored version of stories.
My long (for me) review is just a reflection of my complicated but mostly positive feelings towards this book. It was a fascinating read that brought the realities of reproductive care closer to my mind than they'd ever been before. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in reproductive rights or activist care work in general!
November 20, 2017
I think I blocked on half a years worth of reviews because I was scared to review this book. Uh, I still am? Basically, it's about abortion doulas, those who care for, guide, and even sit with women during the abortion procedure. Which calls deeply into question the usual rhetoric around abortion that "it's fine, it's simple, it's quick, it's painless, it doesn't affect you, move along". So in that respect, it's fascinating and brave to be like "yes this is a hard thing" and "what help do people obtaining abortions actually need."
As someone generally opposed to abortion on the grounds that "gee why is it a hard thing maybe because it is about a thing that is living in your body" and also "what does this say about how our society treats the realities of sexuality and family blah blah blah" it was difficult to read, but I am amazing enough (lololol no) to also be able to see that "gee it is hard a.f. to be a pregnant woman in a tough situation" and this book talked a lot about the framework of reproductive justice rather than rights, which is like a hell of better way to frame the whole thing -- because issues of access to health care, child care, educational resources, just like, some compassion, everything is a big damn deal, especially for women in poverty situations, which is much of what this book focuses on.... and in some ways this book called out big Reproductive Rights rhetoric in really important ways. But carefully, because it's a different position on the same team.
But at the end of the day, it's a book about holding somebody's hand when they're going through a hard thing, and I am grateful that the folks who wrote it did, and honestly, that they do the work that they do, and I wish it could be a point of common ground to have compassion for choices, even ones you vehemently disagree with, rather than a thing to hold up against an opposing group.
Basically, probably should learn more about reproductive justice framework. Not so I can buy in, just so I'm not an idiot about this stuff.
As someone generally opposed to abortion on the grounds that "gee why is it a hard thing maybe because it is about a thing that is living in your body" and also "what does this say about how our society treats the realities of sexuality and family blah blah blah" it was difficult to read, but I am amazing enough (lololol no) to also be able to see that "gee it is hard a.f. to be a pregnant woman in a tough situation" and this book talked a lot about the framework of reproductive justice rather than rights, which is like a hell of better way to frame the whole thing -- because issues of access to health care, child care, educational resources, just like, some compassion, everything is a big damn deal, especially for women in poverty situations, which is much of what this book focuses on.... and in some ways this book called out big Reproductive Rights rhetoric in really important ways. But carefully, because it's a different position on the same team.
But at the end of the day, it's a book about holding somebody's hand when they're going through a hard thing, and I am grateful that the folks who wrote it did, and honestly, that they do the work that they do, and I wish it could be a point of common ground to have compassion for choices, even ones you vehemently disagree with, rather than a thing to hold up against an opposing group.
Basically, probably should learn more about reproductive justice framework. Not so I can buy in, just so I'm not an idiot about this stuff.
March 16, 2017
When I found out this book would be available late this year I wanted to rush out and buy it. Then it was discussed in a full spectrum group that I participate in as well. I really wanted to read it because I'm an aspiring full spectrum doula. It discusses providing care for people during an abortion, adoption and birth. It also gives advice for doulas in particular related to business, organizing and how to practice self care ultimately. Reading the book helped me to deal with my feelings that I have as a new doula and starting out. I don't feel alone in my struggles.
January 29, 2018
Valuable as a reflection of the emotional labour and experience of being a guide to people at any point in the cycle of pregnancy and birth. It was massively eye-opening to hear first hand accounts of radical doulas. I think I expected a little more in the way of functional explanation, but then again, doulas are typically non-medical professionals. Really cool read, but I wonder if I would have gotten more from it if I were in an associated field?
January 2, 2019
This book is amazing. A wonderful addition to any Doulas library; the stories help to connect with the work, as well as teach newer doulas (like myself) what a snapshot of the life we are choosing can look like.
The Doulas is powerful. Necessary. A must read for anyone who works in or has an interest in reproductive justice.
The Doulas is powerful. Necessary. A must read for anyone who works in or has an interest in reproductive justice.
July 27, 2025
Really powerful insight into the experiences of full-spectrum doulas with important historical context for terms like abortion doula and full-spectrum doula. I really enjoyed this one both as introduction to many aspects of being a doula working in a clinic and also as expertly worded meditation on what it means to be a doula. Quick read too. GOOD BOOK
January 21, 2019
I love this book, I think its helpful for those interested in pursuing full spectrum doula work as well as birth doulas. I would recommend this to anyone interested in reproductive justice and direct care activism and how they work together.
April 29, 2020
Such a heartfelt, moving description of creating a collective of full-spectrum doulas. I loved the individual stories of accompaniment, setting boundaries, challenges, growth as a group, differing visions of how the work can be done. So much respect for these folks!
June 26, 2017
This was definitely an interesting read, but it starts to get repetitive about halfway through. Once I got towards the end I just wanted to be done with it.
September 9, 2017
This book is a realistic view of a doula's various roles. I have a newfound respect for doulas and the book is so well written!
March 18, 2017
As I've been both a RN et Doula for many many moons this was a great book to reconfirm that being a full spectrum doula to support all pregnancy outcomes for all persons has been the correct path for me. I feel that Mary & Lauren both were very open et honest about the reality of being a doula. I highly recommend this to any seeking an all service doula path as a guide as you travel. Thank you. I truly enjoyed the book.
December 5, 2016
This book made me feel like I was in the Upside Down from Stranger Things. I have never read something to deeply twisted in my life. I have read a lot of books about abortion for my research, and am used to it- but this one got to me.
February 17, 2023
Such an important book for birth workers and those interested in the field- especially abortion care! It opened my eyes in such important ways!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews