Mission Statement: To be a force for women and their families during their childbearing year.
Certified doula, doula trainer and mentor, childbirth educator, breastfeeding counselor, community doula and mother of two adult sons based in NYC, USA.
I work both with private clients and through the department of health By My Side Doula program where where we are focused on tackling the high maternal mortality rates of black women. We work in specific zip codes in Brooklyn where the combination of racism and poverty is at its worst.
My care is always bespoke to what you need. If you choose to work with me, our structure often looks like this:
Interview
One in person meeting before the birth
Unlimited virtual meetings leading up to the birth
Birth support often beginning at your home and traveling together to the hospital or birth center
1-2 In person visits after including breastfeeding support and continued unlimited virtual support
Doula support is about the family. In my work as a doula I strive to better meet the needs of each family as their birth journey unfolds. I want them to realize their own strengths and the expertise they bring to their birth and growing family. As a doula educator, I work to help new doulas realize their greatest potential in the field.
I started supporting new moms in birth and postpartum 20+ years ago and transitioned to full-time birth work in 2010. I love the work, and I've been blessed to feel the work love me back. How many births have I supported? I don't know. Enough to know, enough to teach, enough to realize there is always more to learn.
My doula style is to meet my client where she is. Listening. No judgement. Just listen. Leave my stuff at the door, and go deeper into my listening.
If you are seeking a trainer who is both evidenced based, supports the medical community and works as a team member at any hospital--and who also keeps a sage sachet at the door--I am the doula trainer for you. I am also pretty tough. I don't accept excuses for why you weren't able to answer your client's phone call or why it took you so long to get back to them. That is because the birth you are at is the most important one and it only happens once. This is not like any other work where you can have a bad day. You have to be your best every single time. I care so much about all the families and new babies, and I care so very much about the quality and education of the next generation of doulas. My course is rigorous. Of course you could fluff through it if you choose. But if you do that, then you're not a doula.
I'm often asked why or how I became a doula. I'm not sure you can become a doula, you either are or you aren't. There were mentors and teachers and births and moms and babies and grandmas and my own two now grown sons in my life who helped me figure out how to be a better doula, but the essence was always there. And why did I become a doula? Well, because I am a doula, and that's just the way God made me.
I look forward to building a community of doulas who are expertly trained and ready to support new families with a high level professionalism and skills. I'm not going to create tiers or tell you how much to charge. Numbers do count, but they are not the only thing that defines us. If you choose me as your mentor, I will work with you to find a fee that reflects your experience fairly.
After decades of directly supporting new families, my next chapter is the creation of The Childbearing Year . If you are here for that, then I am here for you.