What's a doula?

 

Many people are confused about the role of a doula. I mean what does that funny word mean and why do pregnant, laboring and postpartum mamas need them? I mean, isn't that what a doctor is for?

Well, birth working has been around for centuries, prior to the invention of modern medicine. In fact, historic records of birth working go back to some of the earliest civilizations on Earth. It's within our nature as women to understand birthing at its most basic level. Our bodies, minds and souls know exactly how to bring babies into this word, even down to a molecular level. Before modern interventions, medicines, and procedures, women were the gatekeepers of birthing, and that tradition has not been discontinued just because we have modern medicine. 

I often reflect on Africa and what villages and communities used to be like prior to the transatlantic slave trade. I think of the women who were called on while women travailed in labor. I think of the women that caught the babies, that knew the workings of the land, who got the herbs, and had the remedies to help the women and babies. These were doulas! 

I often think of the days of slavery when enslaved women on the plantation prayed and sung worship songs while baby-after-baby was pushed out. I think of the unapologetic and sacred spaces these women fostered even during a time when women of color didn't have a sense of selfhood. These women, who were doulas, created that selfhood for their race! They challenged life itself. They broke barriers and were the pinnacles of modern gynecology. In fact, if you didn't know, what the western world knows about gynecology came from enslaved women! They were either empowering white men with the information on how to be great in this field or their bodies were sacrificed as guinea pigs for white doctors. Enslaved women were tortured and even killed while painful procedures were performed on their wombs, often without medicine or pain relief.

As you can see, the topic of birth working, especially for Black women, has been very complicated. Being a Black doula in the 21st century, for me, is a reclamation of my selfhood and the selfhood of other women who look like me. 

Did you know that according to the CDC, Black women are three (3) times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women? One reason for the disparity is that more Black women of childbearing age have chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which increases the risk of pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia and possibly the need for emergency C-sections, according to the CDC.

Black women face many disparities when it comes to maternal health. As pioneers of maternal health, I find that to be a troubling conundrum, as we've given so much to this medical field. 

Before I go off on a tangent about these disparities, having a doula helps Black women to combat many of these statistics. 

Black women are more at risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. A support person (doula) can help. Doulas can be certified or uncertified (because they are NOT medical professionals, certification is a matter of preference). Making doula care readily available may help improve black maternal health in pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, Black doulas assisting Black mamas can offer support through cultural and socioeconomic nuances, trust issues, unaddressed traumas, stress, personal life issues outside of the pregnancy, etc. 

BIRTH TRAUMA IS REAL. Doulas can recognize the sources of this sort of trauma which can include aggressive doctors, unexplained procedures, forceful use of medical equipment, sexual assault in hospital settings, rude comments made by medical professionals, being lied to by medical professionals, being threatened by medical professionals, racist practices, misogynistic practices and comments, etc. Doulas of color can also recognize racial biases in medicine. Mamas that have gone through these experiences tend to have an increase of emotional and mental health issues that can include PTSD, depression, fear, anger, isolation and more.

How doulas can help:

- Doulas offer prenatal support (creating birth plans, nutritional plans, advocacy at hospital visits, prenatal education, partner support)

- Doulas offer labor and delivery support (birthing techniques, relaxation techniques, supporting your choices, mood setting, massages, etc.)

- Doulas offer postpartum support (talking about feelings, baby care, cooking, cleaning, assisting with mama's physical needs, etc.)

- Doulas can also offer pregnancy and infant loss support (talking about feelings, grief techniques, emotional support, pregnancy loss education, etc.)

Studies show that continued support like doulas for pregnant women can help reduce the rate of C-sections, which are higher among Black women.

The postpartum care offered by doulas also helps to increase the rates of breastfeeding, which improves health outcomes for new moms and babies, and decreases the rates of postpartum complications, like blood clotting and blood hemorrhaging, both of which impact Black postpartum women, data shows.

Here are a few things you probably didn't know a doula could help with:

- Chores and errands (laundry, walking the dog, cooking, etc.)

- Partner support (encouraging your partner, showing them techniques, offering them emotional support)

- Fertility support (through herbalism, tracking fertile windows, supporting womb health, educational support)

- Baby shower support 

-Photography and capturing precious moments

-Loss of a baby, pregnancy, or loved one support

I personally offer support and maternal care rooted in culture and my strong faith in Jesus.

My techniques include:

- Emotional and spiritual support

- Fear relief techniques like journaling and affirmations

- Worship techniques

- West African based birthing techniques (squatting birthing positions, baby blessings *Christian-based*, community-based care, etc.)

- Herbalism

- Meditation 

- Goal Setting

- Acupuncture 

- Breathing techniques and relaxation techniques

- Cooking and care for mama and others in household

- Support of mama's partner, husband, father of child, or other members of mama's team

If you're a mama-to-be of color and are ready to learn more about my services and how I can help you on your journey, give me a call at (917)687-7610.