about global doula

Lina Duncan is a Birth Doula, Postnatal Doula and Childbirth Educator based in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex.

Lina moved from London in 1996, trained as a midwife in El Paso, Texas, Mexico and the Philippines in 1997-1999. She supported families from vulnerable communities in midwife-led clinics where all perinatal care was provided by midwives. A continuity model was offered and preferred so that women could build up trust and relationship with their care providers.

From 2007-2016 Lina and her colleagues offered midwifery and doula services to extremely varied local and international communities in Mumbai, Pune and Nasik, India. Her private company provided bespoke midwifery and doula services in high-end private hospitals and homes.

At the same time Lina and her colleagues provided advocacy, pregnancy information, and birth companions for vulnerable families who were predominantly unhoused. Lina facilitated access to life-saving and life-enhancing education, services for reproductive health and childbirth, alongside medical facilities in the Government system.

Lina still networks and uplifts Indian friends who have formed a movement of midwifery across the nation.

During her time in South-East Asia she learned of many traditions, religious ceremonies and customs surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. The extended rest period and “looking after” a MotherBaby in those first weeks as they adjust into parenting and all that entails, was different for every family.

Lina returned to London, UK in late 2016. She chose to train and work as a doula and focus on the change in roles.

Since 2017 Lina has worked with Neighbourhood Doulas, (please link to website neighbourhooddoulas.org) primarily as a doula. From 2020 she has also worked with the organisation as a director and coordinator.

As well as her native English, Lina speaks Hindi, Urdu, Cantonese and some Cebuano.

Lina loves diversity in cultures, languages, music, films, good food and wine, sea swimming and football. She’s been a member of the British Arts Gospel Choir since 2018.

Since June 2023 Lina relocated to the sea in Brighton where she is available for a range of perinatal services: Birth Doula, Postnatal Doula, Bespoke Hospital to Home support including Nights after a Belly birth (cesarean) or traumatic birth and Childbirth Classes.

“Every birth teaches me something and after welcoming more than a thousand babies, I’m still learning. I never lose the sense of wonder of it all”