#Black doulas

[tani-b-art]

(clip from “Bone Black: Midwives vs The South” by Imani Nikyah Dennison)

Y’all remember these ads? Circa 2011.

Something never felt right about it — it was very unsettling (but at the time, I absolutely did not have the knowledge then to know why).

Never once was it mentioned on that ad the maternal & infant mortality rate amongst Black women being the highest because of racism in the medical industry. Never once was it stated that because of implicit bias, Black women aren’t believed or taken seriously when in pain. Never once was it stated that preventive care to prevent the high risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia and miscarriages was totally misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed or flat out not recommended. Never once was it stated that because of all this, Black soon-to-be mothers are afraid to enter hospitals to give birth in fear they and their unborn child won’t make it out alive because of these implicit biases and overall racism.

[qcsupermom]

Black Moms STILL don't Trust Hospitals

Everyone: What does a doula actually do during a birth: Me: In my last birth I squeezed her upper hips to open her pelvis & used a woven scarf to shake her hips. helped her lie on her side,sit on a birthing ball, walk the hallways & use the shower& tub.

“Birth is a rite of passage of women. Their journey should be honored, their rights should be fiercely protected, and their stories should be shared.” — Marcie Macari Maternal health is more likely to be a matter of life or death for African American women, who often navigate a lack of medical access during pregnancy. Charlotte doula Kelle Pressley talks about her work delivering healthy babies…

[lila-rae]

After the unexpected labor I experienced this weekend, now more than ever my wish is for every Black birthing person to be in a position where they can work with a doula.

My doula is an absolute rockstar and I probably would be sitting here a lot more traumatized if she wasn’t by my side from the moment I called her until the early hours of the morning after she’d made sure I was okay both physically and mentally and comfortable.

She brought stew and rice she’d made with her so that I would have a hearty meal to sustain me while I labored. She wiped my tears, encouraged me, advocated for me, and laid out all my options when it became clear my birth plan needed to change. She helped my husband (who honestly deserves his own love letter for his support) with new and better ways he could be there for me. But mostly she never let me believe I couldn’t do it even when I wanted to give up.

(Note: This is a stock photo, not me)

[beatsforbrothels]

Joshua Virtue - Doula

[sparticusrising]

Black Women Fine as HELLZ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[dr-dick-stuff]

These Houston Doulas Are Making Death a Lot Less Scary

— Death doulas—a growing profession nationwide—are changing the way we approach end-of-life care. By Uvie Bikomo When individuals near the end of their lives, they often face a profound journey filled with uncertainty, fear, isolation, and questions. Amid this complex weave of emotion, a compassionate and increasingly prevalent presence has emerged: the death doula. In Houston, a growing number…

[misschey2u]

What I wish Medical Providers Understood when meeting a Doula

“Chey, OMG! I know we spoke about this but why are providers so rude?! It was awful” ; I was driving home from seeing a client , my car is truly my office , I can’t tell you how much business I have conducted in there as a Doula. Taking time to reflect on a birth isn’t just a thing parents should be encouraged to do but Doulas and Birthworkers as well. I always make time and space to discuss a…

[tani-b-art]

Aftershock (2022)

[qcsupermom]

Friday Four: Calling All Black Dads To Be: Here's How You Can Save Mom And Your Newborn's Life!

Dear Daddy To Be: It’s time to declare a public health crisis! I know you’re excited about your baby’s arrival. And you believe all you have to do is hold your birthing mama’s hand, but the hard truth is that it’s gonna require a little more in this day and age. Black Parents are at the most Risk When Giving Birth- I think it’s fair to say. Considering statistics about the dangers that Black…

[cinnamoncare]

The Cinnamon Care proposal

Cinnamon Care is a reproductive women's health program that trains women to support the community with basic maternal-related and bodily autonomic skills. We focus on accessibility, attentiveness, and agency. Having trained doulas across the nation of Grenada will allow mothers to possess choices regarding their pregnancies, labor, and overall body autonomy.

[zouisalmightie]

buck is going to see the death doula and eddie is going to think it’s a romantic date cuz buck isn’t going to say she’s a death doula to anyone (that’s so la like omg imagine they’d roast him). so eddie is going to be all pouty and sassy we know how he gets, and then buddie.

[amiablebirth]

Childbirth Ed tip 101:

Remember: you're not technically, "Eating for 2." Babies gain and develop the most in their last trimester. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a fetus weighs around 2 pounds at 27 weeks, 4 to 4 ½ pounds by 32 weeks, and grows up to between 6 ¾ pounds to 10 pounds, if you have a full-term delivery.

*Take a Childbirth Ed class*

[coachcatasha]

Black Birth Equity Fund

Dove Doula Grant for Black Families The Black Birth Equity Fund seeks to provide high-quality care to the community most affected by unnecessary medical deaths. The popular beauty brand Dove© created this grant to offer doula services for the black community to help close the maternal health gap in America. It’s estimated that 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. That number is…