ADA Hosts Inaugural Postpartum Doula Summit in Irvine, Bringing Together 150+ Doulas and Healthcare Leaders
A Historic Gathering for Culturally Integrated Maternal Health
On September 20-21, 2025, the Asian Doula Alliance hosted its first annual Postpartum Doula Summit in Irvine, California — and the energy in the room made one thing clear: this wasn't just a conference. It was the beginning of a movement.
Over 150 attendees filled the venue across two packed days of keynotes, panels, hands-on workshops, and the kind of candid conversations that only happen when people who share a mission finally find each other in the same room.
Opening Keynote: The Future of Culturally Integrated Maternal Health
ADA founder and president Betty Meng opened the summit with a keynote tracing the arc from ADA's earliest days to its current reach of 167+ certified doulas. She spoke about the gap that inspired ADA's founding — the disconnect between Western postpartum medical models and the rich, time-tested recovery traditions practiced in Asian cultures.
"Every culture has wisdom about how to care for a mother after birth," Betty told the audience. "Chinese zuo yuezi, Korean sanhujori, Japanese satogaeri — these aren't folklore. They're sophisticated care frameworks developed over centuries."
Panel Highlights: Voices from Across the Country
Doulas from Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, and New York City shared the unique challenges and opportunities of their markets:
- Los Angeles: Navigating enormous demand and complex insurance landscapes, including Medi-Cal managed care partnerships.
- Bay Area: Serving multilingual tech-industry families who often have employer benefits but struggle to find culturally matched doulas.
- Seattle: Building referral networks in a market where cultural competency training remains rare.
- New York City: Working within one of the most regulated healthcare environments while serving immigrant communities.
Workshop Tracks
Lactation Support
Culturally sensitive approaches to breastfeeding support — including how to navigate family dynamics when grandparents have strong opinions about feeding practices.
Postpartum Mood Disorders
The intersection of postpartum depression and cultural stigma around mental health. Doulas learned screening techniques and referral protocols.
Building a Doula Business
From setting rates to managing client contracts to marketing in multilingual communities.
Insurance Credentialing
Step-by-step guidance on vendor applications, documentation requirements, and communicating with insurance representatives.
Save the Date: 2026 Summit
The second annual Postpartum Doula Summit is confirmed for 2026 — returning to Southern California with an expanded program. Follow ADA's website for updates, or reach out to contact@asiandoula.org to be added to the notification list.
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