Birth for Humankind Limited

Birth for Humankind Limited (ABN: 75605254340RR0001) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes by providing free, community-based doula support to women and gender-diverse birthing people facing financial hardship and systemic disadvantage. The organisation principally operates across Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria, with a focus on delivering culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and person-centred care to those experiencing barriers within the maternity health system.

History and Mission

Established in 2014, Birth for Humankind has pioneered the delivery of volunteer-based doula services aimed at supporting people facing systemic discrimination, financial barriers, and other forms of disadvantage during pregnancy, birth, early parenting, and abortions. The organisation’s core mission is to enhance maternity experiences and outcomes by offering one-on-one support that complements clinical maternity care, fosters informed decision-making, and promotes positive birth experiences[1][2][3].

Programs and Services

Birth for Humankind provides a range of services designed to address health disparities and reduce barriers to equitable maternal care:

• Doula Support Program: Volunteer doulas, many of whom are midwifery professionals or trainees, offer continuous emotional, physical, and informational support throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. This program supports women and gender-diverse people from migrant, refugee, asylum seeker backgrounds, young mothers, and those experiencing homelessness or other disadvantages[1][4][5].

• Childbirth Education: The organisation runs childbirth education and pregnancy support group programs to empower birthing people with knowledge and confidence, addressing systemic inequities in access to appropriate maternity information[1][2].

• Culturally Sensitive and Trauma-Informed Care: Services are tailored to respect cultural diversity and are delivered with an understanding of trauma, helping clients navigate challenges such as limited interpreter access, discontinuity of care, and social isolation[1][5].

Impact and Community Engagement

Birth for Humankind’s volunteer doulas have positively impacted hundreds of families by providing continuous support during antenatal hospital visits, labor, and extended postnatal periods. The organisation also focuses on training and onboarding new volunteer doulas, including bicultural individuals, enabling them to extend the reach of support services to a wider community experiencing systemic disadvantage[2][5].

The organisation relies on community donations, which are tax-deductible, to fund its programs. Contribution tiers correspond to specific service costs, such as covering doula attendance at hospital visits, providing on-call birth support, or running training and education programs for volunteers and clients alike[2].

Recognition

Birth for Humankind is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is recognised for its important work in maternal and perinatal health within Victoria[3][4].

This organisation fills a crucial gap by addressing the inequities in maternal healthcare access and outcomes through community-driven, culturally competent doula care, contributing to healthier birthing experiences for vulnerable populations in Australia.

[1] https://birthforhumankind.org/about-us/our-work/ [2] https://birthforhumankind.org [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/3e2ac361-3aaf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60 [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/3e2ac361-3aaf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/documents/ae8c1ffd-92be-ef11-a72f-6045bdc30950 [5] https://www.rootsofchange.org.au/non-profit-partner-stories/birth-for-humankind