ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the development of doulas in Italy, reconstructing their path thanks to the voices of the first Italian doulas, founders of doulas trainings, and professionals who influenced the cultural environment that encouraged the emergence of the Italian doula. The narratives, or “origin stories,” used by doulas to explain the historical background of the profile are described, as is the legislative framework that rules the doula profession in Italy. The emergence of Italian doulas has been challenged by the National Federation of Midwives that adopted punitive measures against midwives who collaborate with doulas. Finally, the chapter provides data about birth in Italy to highlight the remarkable level of the biomedicalization of birth still present in this country, thereby revealing the need for doulas’ efforts to humanize the birth experience.
