DCMM is staffed entirely by women of color and run by a black woman. It’s intentional, and we want our clients to feel safe. For some, that means a black doula or a Latina doula, and a team that looks like them.
Thankfully, families of all sorts do in fact feel safe with us. And the relationship with a doula is often a place for people to be honest.
As a result, we know what families (and most often families of color) worry about throughout their pregnancy and leading up to their birth. We hear their fears and anxiety in the middle of the night during breastfeeding sessions, and see the concern on their loved ones’ faces.
And for our clients who are Black women, intentionally hiring black doulas and doulas of color, we know that they are concerned about their health and safety.
There are lots of scary statistics out there, and our clients are educated and aware. Unfortunately, these amazing qualities can make it feel like despair and death are just around the corner as soon as a black woman conceives a child.
Thank goodness, we can reassure them that black maternal mortality (while WAY too common) is not the norm.
This Black Maternal Health Week, I want every black woman reading this to know something:
Black women, by the grace of whatever higher power you believe in and our own resilience, the VAST majority of us make it through pregnancy, labor, and childbirth.
We have to take the stats seriously, and be skeptical of systems. It’s a historical fact that they weren’t designed to keep us and our babies safe, and we’re dealing with those repercussions. The stats are concerning. Your concerns are valid.
But please, take a deep belly breath and drop your shoulders away from your ears.
Seriously, do it right now.
Next, please try not to bottle your fears about pregnancy and birth.
Finally, black women, go where you are loved and listened to, and cared for. Especially when pregnant.
And know that you can thrive through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Get a team in your corner. Maybe it’s a doula- maybe it’s being honest with your partner/ mother/ sisterfriend and saying you’re scared and can’t do it alone. It’s definitely about carefully choosing your provider.
We have always saved ourselves. We still are.
It’s time to bring together our sister circles and turn off the news. This Black Maternal Health Week, know trust that you will do all you can to be healthy for yourself and your family. Follow through on that promise to yourself. And keep breathing.
Be sure to check out our online pregnancy course designed for pregnant women of color, Attain.
