Ubuntu Wellness Academy

05/02/2026

Between the 1930s and 1970s, over 60,000 Black women across the United States were sterilized without their knowledge or consent.

They went in for appendectomies. For childbirth. For routine checkups.

They came out sterile.

Doctors didn't ask. They didn't explain. They just cut. Tied tubes. Removed uteruses. Ended bloodlines.

In the South, it was so common they called it the "Mississippi appendectomy." In California, it was policy. In North Carolina, it was law.

These weren't rogue surgeries. This was systemic. State-funded. Approved by eugenics boards that decided who deserved to reproduce and who didn't.

Black women. Poor women. Women labeled "feebleminded" or "unfit." Women who had too many children. Women who had none. It didn't matter.

The goal was control. Population control. Racial control. Social control.

Some women didn't find out for years. Only when they tried to have children and couldn't. Only when a doctor casually mentioned a procedure they never agreed to.

Fannie Lou Hamer, the civil rights icon, was one of them. Sterilized in 1961 during surgery to remove a tumor. She called it a "planned genocide."

And she wasn't exaggerating.

By 1970, one-third of Puerto Rican women and tens of thousands of Indigenous and Black women had been sterilized under similar programs.

This wasn't ancient history. Some survivors are still alive today.

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Follow .echo for stories they erase from the textbooks.

Support the movement—buy our debut book: "20 African Wonder Women That Changed History" and keep these truths alive.

References:
• Dorothy Roberts, Killing the Black Body (1997)
• Fannie Lou Hamer testimony, 1964
• North Carolina eugenics records; Relf v. Weinberger (1974)

04/04/2026

Cherise Doyley, a mom and doula, went to the hospital for a natural birth but doctors pushed for surgery. Instead of respecting her wishes, hospital staff brought in a tablet for a virtual emergency court hearing. The state of Florida petitioned a judge to grant an emergency C-section against her will. During the two-hour Sunday hearing, Doyley pleaded her case, citing risks and a lack of Black healthcare providers

👇🏾📺 Check the comments for the video 📺👇🏾

03/25/2026

Are VBACs safe? Research says yes, for most people they are.

Desiring a VBAC is a very reasonable and healthy request for the majory of c-section parents.

One of the most important factors in having a VBAC vs a repeat c-section is the midwife or doctor you work with.

Many practices will say, "Sure, we do VBACs." But when it actually comes down to it, it turns out they're simply tolerant and won't necessarily support you in a VBAC. Many parents feel like they experienced a bait and switch - being told their provider "allows" VBACs only to later learn they won't do anything to truly support or help.

How do you know if a provider is tolerant vs truly VBAC friendly? A lot of it comes down to how they talk about your birth wishes.

🚨 What is said:
“We’ll see how things go.”

What it might mean:
There may be a low threshold for repeat cesarean if anything deviates from “ideal.”

🚨 What is said:
“We don’t like you going past 39 weeks.”

What it might mean:
Strict timelines may limit your opportunity for spontaneous labor.

🚨 What is said:
“We’ll need continuous monitoring and an IV.”

What it might mean:
Routine interventions may limit movement and physiologic labor support.

🚨 If labor doesn’t progress, we’ll do a C-section.”

What it might mean:
Standard labor timelines may be applied without flexibility for VBAC.

A VBAC friendly provider also gives realistic benefit vs risk information about VBAC AND repeat c-sections. A c-section is a major abdominal surgery. It is not without short and long term risks. It is very reasonable to weight the benefits and risks of VBACs to a repeat for YOUR specific circumstances.

Have you found a VBAC friendly provider?

03/08/2026

An image of a Black fetus in a womb by Nigerian medical student and illustrator Chidiebere Ibe went viral four years ago, with many noting they had never seen dark skin in these types of images.

It also highlights the need for diversity in medical illustrations.

02/10/2026

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

02/05/2026

We show up every month of the year but this one is extra special! Black History Month is Finally here.

Today we get to celebrate Sierra! She is a homeschooling mama and full spectrum doula. She supports our community by speaking up and uplifting black mothers. Her work centers, wellness, birth equality and community empowerment! Show her some love!

🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

Thank you for being a Birth Nerd! Grab the tee for inspiration.

01/06/2026

Ubuntu Wellness Academy — Birth Doula Certification

Enrollment is now open for our Spring Birth Doula Certification, a 12-week live training designed for those called to support families through pregnancy, labor, and birth with skill, integrity, and cultural awareness.

March 21 – June 13
Saturdays | 11 AM – 2 PM (Zoom)

This program centers birth as a mind-body-spirit journey, grounded in community and ethical care.

https://www.omissacredgarden.com/ubuntu-wellness-academy/doula-certification

01/06/2026

Rest in Peace
Dr. Janell Green Smith 🕊️
DNP, CNM, APRN

Dr. Janell Green Smith was a Black Midwife who dedicated her life to improving Black Maternal Health Outcomes. Dr. Janell spoke out about what brought her to midwifery, how maternal mortality rates in this country were mostly preventable, & how Black women should not have to fear death in birth.

The news that Dr. Janell Green Smith has tragically died during childbirth is absolutely heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹

We grieves her death as a systemic failure and injustice. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, & the midwifery community.

Say her name loud. Dr. Janell Green Smith should be here. Black women deserve to give birth without fear, with dignity & safety, she deserves to be here today.

11/15/2025

https://www.omissacredgarden.com/ubuntu-wellness-academy

Founded in 2007 by Iya Omitola Yejide Fowler as the Ubuntu Birth Workers Collective, the Ubuntu Wellness Academy was born from a vision to create a sacred space of learning, healing, and empowerment for all women—especially women of color. What began as a collective for doulas and birth workers ha...

03/26/2025

https://www.omissacredgarden.com/blog

Sacred Grocery List for Perimenopause 25 Mar 2025 20:20 Fill your kitchen with foods that honor your changing rhythm and nourish your divine body. Read more »

06/04/2024

Join Ubuntu Wellness Academy’s online Doula Certification program. Register today for our July 30th Summer session. Learn the craft of advocating Birthing Rights & Justice for families through family planning, prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum support. We offer a full curriculum to prepare your path as a Holistic Doula.
Go: ubuntuwellnessacademy.com for more information and to register & contact: Sis Nova @ starlillyoffice@gmail.com for assistance and/or inquiries.