The centerpiece of our January Collaboratory was the power, impact and, importance of community doulas as one potential solution to the Black maternal mortality crisis we face as a nation. Moderated by Marna Armstead, a founding member of SisterWeb and Program Director of Kindred Birth Companions, the event began with the five community doula panelists leading the audience in welcoming their ancestors' spirit into the space as well as thanking the elders in the room. After brief introductions by all of the doulas, Marna facilitated a discussion covering topics that ranged from how doulas transform the way women of color talk about birth to what each doula wished providers knew about their work.
After the discussion, the doulas came into the audience to help facilitate audience breakout sessions around an exercise entitled, "What Would A Doula Do?" A paper at each table listed four different challenging scenarios that a doula might face when working. For example, one scenario stated, "A woman is reluctant to return to prenatal office/clinic due to disrespectful care (she was faced with racism/discrimination at her last visit). What would a doula do?" Another stated, "A black woman is at the hospital. A labor and delivery staff member
Granny midwives delivered our communities’ [Black women] babies and delivered white babies too – this work has always been ours and continues to be ours
Etecia Brown on the notion that doulas are reserved for middle-class white women.
Finally, the five panelists came back on stage to lead the audience in a closing meditation. As the audience members closed their eyes the doulas invited people to inhale the inspiring energy cultivated throughout the night and exhale any unnecessary burdens of stress that they carried throughout the day. The doulas finished by compelling the audience to spread the message of doulas to not only their own communities but also their providers because all parents deserve healthy pregnancies, and all newborns deserve healthy starts in life.
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Moderator
Marna Armstead
Marna Armstead is San Francisco born, raised, and residing in the Bayview District. She is currently a doula with plans to study midwifery. Marna is also
Website: www.sisterweb.org
Panelists
Stephanie Dixon
Stephanie Dixon is a Doula, Childbirth Educator
Website: www.barewithmeduo.com
Instagram: @barewithmeduo
Facebook: @barewithmeduo
Twitter: @barewithmeduo
Linda Jones
Linda Jones is a Birth and Postpartum Doula, Photographer and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who lives in Oakland, CA. She owned Waddle and Swaddle Birth Resource Center in Berkeley, CA from 2000 to 2010 and has been a part of the natural birth advocacy and birth justice community in the Bay Area for almost three decades.
Website: www.lindajonesdoula.com
www.bwbj.org | www.rootsoflaborbc.com
Etecia Brown
Etecia Brown is a 4th generation San Francisco native and a certified Full Spectrum Doula and Herbal Apprentice. Her intentions in her work are to decolonize birthing in the U.S. as well as empower Birthers to stand in their power as Creators.
Website: www.letthemflourish.com
Instagram: @letthemflourish
Facebook: @letthemflourish
Twitter: @letthemflourish
Deundra Hundon
Deundra Hundon is currently supporting mama’s and papa’s as a birth doula and completed her training with Cornerstone Doula Training. In addition to her training, she is a mother and grandmother; two experiences that have provided her with personal experience with childbirth and infant and toddler care.
Website: www.barewithmeduo.com
Instagram: @barewithmeduo
Facebook: @barewithmeduo
Twitter: @barewithmeduo
Se'Lah Wehner
Se’Lah Wehner is a wife, doula and mother of seven children. She has a strong dedication to birth work, focusing on the support of women and their food intake during and after pregnancy. She holds a seat on the Community Advisory Board for the California Preterm Birth Initiative and is committed to serving and researching.
Website: www.nnbbss.com
Instagram: @nnb_birthing_support
