Birth itself is an always spiritual and often physical, inevitable, God-authored occurrence among the living. We birth dreams, ideas, structures - and from the womb of a woman, human life may be cradled within and delivered earthside.

Birth itself is sacred. There’s a holiness there. A worthy veneration. A cycle of love manifested as a gift from The Creator to and with the created. As a believer in God as The Creator of all - I recognize the womb, and the vessel in which life is grown, co-created with The Creator of man and womankind - as a haven and celebration of life, about as close as heaven caressing earth as one could get, one could carry. And for me, to support a woman as life is knit and/or as it is imminent in its earthside reveal is awe-inspiring, fascinating, humbling and worthy of all that is nurturing.

Birth itself, and the experience of it, deserves protection. Every woman who births ought to be cradled in the leading to, along the journey, when they crossover, at the helm and over the threshold. It is a rite and a right.

The birth doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a woman (and often spouses, partners and kin) during pregnancy, labor + delivery and shortly after childbirth.

The birth doula is a non-clinician and non-prescriber and does not deliver babies or diagnose and treat medical conditions. The birth doula offers constant, whole-hearted support for people that are experiencing the transformation of themselves, their body, and welcoming of their baby(ies) + their new selves. And, birth doulas have been doing this work since the beginning of community.

The birth doula is not a replacement of or a disruptor in the relationship that a woman has with her intimate partner in birthing - she is an educated and distinct, set-apart addition to the team of folk who care. She is chosen and welcomed at the discretion of the woman who is birthing and works specifically for her and her interests, and in her client’s best interests.

It is possible for people and organizations who do not personally identify with a particular culture, to invest in delivering culturally-hospitable care. Hospitality is dramatically underrated as a worthy service, with its ability to create an environment that allows space for the needs and desires of particular communities, particular cultures. The beautiful thing about employing hospitality is that it doesn’t require understanding, or empathy even - but an openness to welcome, a willingness to create an environment and tone that emits comfort and relaxation, security even, for the community in which it finds itself hosting.

Culturally-hospitable care is a practice available and accessible to any practitioner that approaches and delivers health and wellness care. Therefore, if one finds that their PCP, OB/GYN, Midwife, Doula, Chiropractor, Therapist and whomever and whatever entity else does not show hospitality to their culture - they ought find another one. Because it’s an easy way for a practitioner to display their willingness to care.

Relevance requires relevance.

Culturally-relevant care requires a connection not by happenstance or through a gathering of research. Not through ally-ship or a “feeling for” folks. Relevance requires empathy. And empathy requires a knowing through experience, through the living of. Through an “I’ve been there,” “your people are my people” type whatyaheard.

It takes one day of being a Black woman to know what is is to be a Black woman. It takes one day and a whole lifetime of being a Black person in America to know what it is to be a Black person in America. And there is no one on this earth who is able to relate and experience, able to provide culturally-relevant awareness and care for Black folks like Black folks.

We are always who we need. And when we find each other in health and wellness and love and relatability, when we see us and love us and take care of us? Sheesh. What a powerful thing. Find you some culturally-relevant care providers. We out here.

The midwifery model of care is one where the nurturing of the pregnant woman is holistically addressed and focused. Rather than a singular focus on the physical and surgical necessities of their patients, midwifery care concerns itself - in addition - to the emotional, psychological and social (and community) aspects of her care. They work to minimize medical interruptions and overused and/or unnecessary technological interventions and address the whole woman as a unique individual.

It is my belief that The Midwifery Model of Care, when it is functioning in its intended and truest form, is the most human and helpful model of primary care providing for pregnant women and their families. When surgical care is known to be needed or required, I find that having a midwife on your care team in addition to your needed OB/GYN is an ideal arrangement of provision.

Please note that many CNM’s and Traditional, Licensed, Certified + Professional Midwives practice differently and have different allowances and sometimes philosophies, and often practice in very different spaces and places. Do your research and find a PCP that aligns with your philosophy of birth and your philosophy of care - the kind that you require to feel supported and cared for, and protected.

Obstetrics and Gynocology Doctors and Medical Practices are indeed necessary when they are necessary. Advanced technology and surgery is sometimes required for the safety and health of both pregnant women and babies.

The OB/GYN has its place in pregnancy care. However, it is not necessary care for all pregnancies or all pregnant women. There are highly-skilled, appropriately trained PCP’s like midwives who can and do care for pregnant women and babies from reproductive beginnings to reproductive ends.

It is well within every person’s right to decide if OB/GYN care is welcome and necessary in their care during their pregnancy journey and ought be decided by the individual needing that care.

There are wonderful OB/GYNs that care and support folks and their wishes, their choices, and elevate their autonomy. If you want and/or need an OB/GYN, find you one like that.