About
DC METRO MATERNITY BELIEVES THAT WHEN MOTHERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR BIRTHING DECISIONS THEY MAKE CHOICES BASED ON PURPOSE, RATHER THAN PAIN.
Samantha Griffin and her amazing team at DC Metro Maternity specialize in supporting women of color in DC, Maryland, and Virginia as they experience childbirth and the postpartum period.
We are changing the way women and couples see birth and the postpartum period by sharing what we believe:
- Black Infant and maternal mortality rates are far too high and that must end now.
- Expectant mothers should feel understood and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum, rather than fearful, isolated and overwhelmed.
- Women should have knowledgeable, nonjudgmental and dependable companionship as they step into motherhood.
- Parents should have access to unbiased, accurate information so they can make well thought personal decisions for themselves and their babies.
- Black families should feel safe, healthy and happy as they welcome their children into the world.
- Parenting and postpartum struggles should be alleviated.
- Women who desire to care for others and have a non-traditional career path should be able to thrive as they do the heart work that is being a Doula.
- Birth and the postpartum period should be improved for black women.
- People of all (or no) genders give birth, and their needs should be honored and respected. Doing so does not threaten Black women and is an important part of uplifting Black families.
DC METRO MATERNITY IN THE NEWS
Slate.com- Why One Mom’s Viral Video About Her Night Doula Made So Many People So Angry, 2021
The MOMgeniest’s Podcast– Elevating The Voice Of Women And Reducing Infant and Mother Mortality Rates, 2020
Slumber Party with Amanda Jewson– Postpartum Doula Talks Exhaustion and BIPOC Birth, 2020
Arrow’s Angle Podcast– Maternal Mortality in the US, 2020
NPR & WAMU’s 1A– What to Expect When Expecting in a Pandemic, 2020
The National Association to Advance Black Birth, Instagram Live Chat, 2020
Washington City Paper– Expecting Parents and Pregnancy Experts Adjust to the Coronavirus Pandemic, 2020
Doula’s of the Roundtable Podcast– Black Maternal Mortality, 2020
NPR & WAMU’s 1A– Giving Birth to a New Age of Midwives and Doulas, 2020
Birth HERstory Podcast– Dr. Doula Speaks with Samantha Griffin, 2020
Rewire.com– If Meghan Markle Chose a Doula, on OBGYN’s Mocking Proved Her Right, 2019
Rewire.com– The Ina May Gaskin Gaffe Heard ‘Round the Midwifery World, 2017
Blavity.com– Beyonce, Black Motherhood & the Resistance, 2017
Prodoula.com– Entrusted with Our People’s Survival, 2016
Having a baby is a life-changer. It gives you a whole other perspective on why you wake up every day.
– Taylor Hanson
MEET SAMANTHA GRIFFIN
Samantha Griffin is an impassioned woman who unequivocally believes in the voices of women, especially black women, and trusts their decisions regarding their bodies, their children and their families.
As a Certified Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator, Samantha came to the realization that as one woman, she could only support one woman at any given time. With strengths in leadership, education and organization, Samantha multiplied her efforts by founding DC Metro Maternity, a boutique parenting support agency. She brought on a team of other passionate female certified doulas of color and together, they have been supporting black families in the DC, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia areas since 2018.
The women of DCMM are riding a fierce path to contribute to the empowerment of other black women and women of color. Together they are working toward lowering the far too high black infant and maternal mortality rates and the higher rates of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders that black women suffer from.
Sam, as she’s affectionately known, believes in creating a space free of judgment where women can thrive. She specializes in the educational, physical and emotional support that women need in order to feel heard and supported during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
Samantha is a member of the prestigious ProDoula Training & Development Team and has trained more that 100 women to become certified doulas in both labor and postpartum. Enriching women’s lives is what Samantha has been called to do and as a doula and doula trainer, she has truly found the role intended for her.
Samantha is proud and committed to DCMM being a company that provides opportunities to build the wealth and power of black doulas, black businesses, and the black community as a whole.
Samantha’s Training Includes:
- Mary’s Center Maternal Mental Health Champion, 2018
- ProDoula, Certified Labor Doula, Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, 2017
- ProDoula, Trained Labor Doula, Trained Postpartum Doula, Trained Postpartum Placenta Specialist, 2016
- Mamatoto Birthworker Training, 2014
Education:
- Graduate level coursework in Maternal and Child Health, George Washington University
- Bachelor’s of Arts, Duke University, 2009
JOINING OUR DOULA TEAM
We’re building a diverse team, committed to supporting women, babies & families in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Our doula agency is staffed with professionals, with a passion for improving birth and postpartum for all families.
Have you considered being a doula? Do you share our values? We might be looking for you!
Currently we are only accepting applications from those who are certified and ready to begin doula work.
Click the button below, to request an application.