Does the Hood Need to Stop Having Babies or Have More Support ??
I keep seeing the post floating around about "the hood" needing doulas .
I've saw various opinions . ...
“Pay me”
“Respect me”
“Value me”
“The hood need to stop having babies”
Well just like with anything , many people work a job that "pays". The job the people and so forth don't do any of the above, but you still go, you show up everyday because it does the one thing - PAY.
While I have many opinions about underserved communities and why or why they are not being served when it comes to birth work one thing remains the same for me.
Well a few actually…
First - I do do this work because I enjoy it. I was called to this work as a young woman before I even had heard of the name "doula"
I started as a medical assistant, working in women's health and while I knew not much about holistic health, I saw many black and brown women in white spaces and even "low income " areas being mistreated, underserved, and looked over due to their circumstances and because of the color of their skin or being judged by their circumstances.
I quickly stood in where I could, offering advice encouragement, became a resource guide whenever and however I could. Passing out baby formula, birth control, and prenatal vitamins that I'd sneak from our sample closets at work and pass along to women in need.
My phone would ring often with questions from friends, sister, cousins and strangers with questions, fears, and concerns. Even if I didn't have the answer, I'd find one or point them in the direction where they could get the answers they needed.
They didn't "pay" me. I never asked for a dime. I did all this while I worked a full time job and started raising my own family.
I've showed up to hospitals and birth centers, laid in bed with girls who have had losses or abortions, and those who have been assaulted.
Being a "Doula” isn't just about showing up for moms who are already pregnant. It's about sexual education, reproductive education, safety, preconception, sacred sex and what that actually means - especially as an indigenous black wombman.
It's meeting women where they are because you choose to and have the capacity to do so, and knowing you may not always be met with value, respect, good self-knowledge or anything else .
But let's not reduce "the hood" to these things because it's plenty of folks that will "pay" and not value your time, education, experience or anything else.
A women's situation is not up for judgement as a birth worker when you look at a women and she is in need especially in pregnancy but not limited to that . She is first a MOTHER .
Being a "Doula" is not just about supporting women through pregnancy .
It's about:
Self education
Advocacy as a women and women's rights
Sexual and reproductive health
Safe sacred sex or abstaining all together
Sharing love
Teaching values of self worth
I could go on and on!!
My name is Essence aka Gypsii
Eye am a Sacred Birth Keeper
I teach womb health and wellness to the youth ages 12-25 including reproductive education and more.
I love on mothers.
I share about nutrition and wellness for women and those wanting to conceive and who are already pregnant.
I support women where they are in their journey; I meet you where you are as long as you are willing to take my hand and follow.
I go to the hood, the woods, the country, the city, the suburbs, other states near and far.
Baby we are international! Let's go to the moon if we have to!!
For each one I reach someone else can teach!!
Everyone needs a Doula whether you feel you can afford one or not! That's why there are resources including finding enough value in your own self in order to find the resources you need to obtain the support you must have!!
Doulas help save lives as well as help in creating positive, well-educated, confident birthing parents and so much more. Who doesn't deserve that from the hood to wherever ???
"The hood" ain't the only place that shouldn't be having babies or need a doula . Find the demographic that works for you and leave them other folks alone . And you don't have to be in the hood to need to stop having babies but that ain't our business either. Let's focus on reaching the youth and valuing their bodies and cherishing their young adulthood to prevent early pregnancy at a young age.
Signed,
Gypsii, The Last of the Dragons
