I became interested in supporting women through birth and bereavement when I read Battling Over Birth: Black Women and the Maternal Health Crisis and had the pleasure of meeting one of the authors Julica Chinyere Oparah at the Black Mamas Matter Alliance Conference in December 2018.  I was already completing my Doula certification, but this solidified my ‘WHY’, why I was interviewing black women, and the help and assistance they needed through birth, postpartum, and loss.  It is ancestral for me as I am standing on the shoulders of giants who paved the way for me to do this work.

I have been a doula for one year and yes I’m certified through StillBirthDay.  I complete continuing education by attending conferences focused on Black Infant and Maternal Health.  Also, my continuing education is weekly when I interview black women for the Sisters in Loss podcast.

I will help assist women with achieving their goals in birth by first looking at past experiences any trauma related to those experiences, and developing a birth plan that fits the parents.

My philosophy is that birth is a human right and justice..  It has become over commercialized and medicalized. My grandmother birthed all of her children at home until she was forced in the 1960s to go to the hospital to birth my aunt and dad.  With the help of a midwife and doula (support person), she had successful labor and deliveries. My goal as your doula is to ensure that you have the birth experience you visioned after your loss to help you remove any doubts, fears, worries, or anxiety throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.

Yes, I have several backup doulas to call if needed.  I use backups often.

I do not offer lactation support but can refer you to a Certified Lactation Specialists.  I do offer postpartum support and visits.

• Providing continuous emotional and physical support
• Giving information if asked and helping the mother find resources to research her birth choices (before labor)
• Using comfort measures like massage, suggesting different positions and helping with relaxation breathing
• Accommodating the mother’s wishes for the birth environment (low light, soft music, etc) to the extent possible in the place of birth
• Encouraging the mother to communicate with her doctor and to be informed about any procedures and interventions (a doula does NOT give medical advice or interfere with the doctor/mother relationship)
• Supporting the father or birth partner in the best way to support the mother. A doula never replaces the very important role of the birth partner and a good doula will help the birth partner by suggesting ways that he can support the laboring mom and things that can improve their synergy in labor.
• Bi-weekly video chats on progress (60 mins)
• Unlimited text or email contact during contracted time

Yes, absolutely.  My experience varies from working directly and interviewing over 150 black women who have experienced loss and/or infertility.