President of MotherLove, Inc.
MotherLove, Inc. is one of the oldest doula training and consulting agencies in North America. Debra Pascali-Bonaro, President of Mother-Love, Inc., PDT/BDT (DONA), LCCE, is mother of five children, a doula, Lamaze International childbirth educator, Chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative, IMBCI, former Board of Director member of DONA, Public Relations Chair from 1992–1998 and an approved DONA International birth and postpartum Doula Trainer. Debra has been working as a doula and training doulas since 1987 in varied communities and settings around the world. Debra's diversity has brought her from training doulas in the South Bronx, NY to speaking at the White House, to developing doula programs for Brazil and presenting doula workshops in 24 countries. Debra's years of experience in the design and development of doula programs provide the basis for her motivational speeches, educational in-service and inspiring doula workshops. Debra is also a JourneyDance teacher, adding celebration and movement to her workshops, deepening our connection with our bodies, mind and spirit.
Debra served as Executive Director of The Center for Perinatal Research and Family Support Corp., from 1992–1999. Debra was responsible for the design, training and supervision of the Neighborhood Doula Project of Paterson, NJ. The NDP was the first perinatal doula program to work with women in treatment for substance abuse and alcohol addiction. Debra was instrumental in the training and development of the State Univ. of NY at Stony Brook, Midwives and Doulas together program that was featured in "INDIVISIBLE," a national documentary project celebrating diverse efforts to build and sustain strong communities across America.
Debra is dedicated to returning community based caring, with a doula for every women who would like one, as part of reimbursed health care system.
Debra's new project is a fair trade web site -www.globalbirthfair.com "Supporting the Earth While Giving Birth"
Recent publications:
The 21st Century Motherhood Movement: Mothers Speak Out on Why We Need to Change the World and How To Do It, Edited by, Andrea O’Reilly, Davis-Floyd, Robbie, Debra Pascali Bonaro, Mayri Sagady-Leslie, HeleneVadeboncoeur, Rodolfo Gomez - The International MotherBabyChildbirth Organization (IMBCO): Working To Create Optimal Maternity Care Worldwide, May 2011
"The International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative: Working to Achieve Optimal Maternity Care Worldwide", International Journal of Childbirth, Davis-Floyd, Robbie, Debra Pascali Bonaro, Mayri Sagady-Leslie, HeleneVadeboncoeur, Rodolfo Gomez, Oct. 2011.
Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth Experience, Rodale, June 2010
The International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative: A Human Rights Approach to Optimal Maternity Care, Midwifery Today, Summer 2010
Journal of Perinatal Education, Creating a Global Initiative, Summer 2006, Vol. 15, No 3, 6-9
Social support by doulas during labor and the early
postpartum period
Journal of Midwifery and Woman’s Health: Continuous Female Companionship During Childbirth: A Crucial Resource in Times of Stress or Calm, 2004;49(suppl 1):19-27
Journal of Midwifery and Woman’s Health: Disaster in Our Neighborhood: September 11, 2001 2004;49(suppl 1):28
Journal of Perinatal Education, Childbirth Educators, Doulas, Nurses, and Women Respond to the Six Care Practices for Normal Birth; Spring 2004, Vol.13, No 2, 46-49
Journal of Perinatal Education, Childbirth Education and Doula Care During Times of Stress, Trauma, and Grieving, 2003 12(4), 1-7
International Doula, Doulas: Global Models of Care Vol 11, Issue 4, Fall 2003, 7 – 11, 34-35
BIRTH: Issues in Perinatal Care, Pregnant and Widowed on September 11: The Birth Community Reaches Out, vol. 29, number 1, March 2002, pp 62 - 64
Special note from Debra:
"The last few years has provided me with an opportunity to travel and share with many doulas from around the world. I have created a Global Doula Presentation for program managers and leaders in each country to work together to share and grow. I am continually updating my resources on global doulas and doula programs and models. If you are a developing or managing a doula program , please contact me so I can add you to our list as well as invite you to join our global doula forum: motherlove.doula@prodigy.net"