Joy Doula Services

10/01/2020

08/27/2020

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week!

The beautiful powerful breastfeeding Black mothers are worth celebrating and this week is set aside to do just that.

This week is Black Breastfeeding Week. Why do we have a separate week from World Breastfeeding Week focusing solely Black breastfeeding?

Because there are unique systemic challenges, historical stigmas, intergenerational trauma, and institutionalized racism that undermines Black women breastfeeding, this week helps raise awareness and celebrate Black women that have overcome these substantial obstacles to breastfeed their babies.

What do these obstacles look like in terms of numbers?

Data shows that Black mothers have the lowest breastfeeding rates of any group in the USA. The most recent CDC data show that 75% of white women have ever tried to breastfeed versus 58.9% of black women. The infant mortality rate of black babies is two times higher than the rate of white babies. These stats are sobering when it has also been noted by the CDC increased breastfeeding among black women could decrease infant mortality rates by as much as 50%.

Culturally and historically there are barriers to breastfeeding as a result of intergenerational trauma of slavery. Enslavers used and purchased Black women as wet nurses for their children and would forcing these enslaved Black women to stop breastfeeding their own baby. For those that were not forced to breastfeed the young of their oppressors, enslavers would often force Black women to stop breastfeeding earlier than normal in order to impregnate them to make more enslaved children. This trauma left deep wounds on the bodies, minds, and hearts of Black mothers. Then formula companies targeted the Black community in their marketing to undermine breastfeeding and exploit this trauma.

These are just some of the factors that makes this week important. For more information follow the Breastfeeding Week page and visit their website to find out more:

http://blackbreastfeedingweek.org

Want to know why Black Breastfeeding Week is a thing? Go here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/racial-disparities-persist-for-breastfeeding-moms-heres-why

Photo credit: on Instagram.

07/31/2020

Please stop saying “at least it was early”

Please stop saying “it wasn’t the right time”

Please stop saying “you can always try again”

Please stop saying “everything happens for a reason”

Please stop saying “at least you weren’t THAT pregnant”

Please stop saying “you are so young you can just try again”

Words hurt.

Whether you lost your baby at 6 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 12 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 16 weeks.
Whether you lost your baby at 20+ weeks.

Your pregnancy loss matters.
Your grief matters.
Your tears matter.
You matter.

Written by
- Bindi
📸 Photo Credit: Emily Newman Artist

07/22/2020

For those of you having to make this tough decision today or soon. Hugs!!

07/16/2020

Ever thought about how giving birth lying down is kinda...counterproductive? The birth canal curves upwards when you lie down, so you're going against gravity. Birthing on your back can make labor last longer because the body has to work much harder to eject the baby. It constricts blood vessels, meaning baby and mother won't receive the optimum levels of blood & oxygen. It also makes you more prone to tearing, and is typically more painful than birthing in an intuitive position. Your pelvis isn’t given the opportunity to open to its fullest capacity, and makes it harder for babies in non-optimal birthing positions to rotate or switch to better positions - which can lead to a need for medical intervention.
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There are a number of positions to give birth in that are better for both mommy and baby. Unfortunately, hospitals sometimes have a habit of telling birthers that they “can’t” deliver a baby in any position besides on their backs. DON’T LISTEN. Request the squat bar. Adjust the bed to your liking. Switch to a side-lying position. Do what feels COMFORTABLE and - most importantly - follow your body’s lead.
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07/16/2020

SimplyBorn takes the time to explain various ways to simplify and cope with the heat during pregnancy. And what role does Vitamin D play while pregnant.

07/13/2020

Looking for the science behind doulas? This round-up of 17 compelling studies examines evidence-based benefits of doula-support.

07/12/2020

🙌🏻✨

Repost from
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Congrats to ✨Sister on the opening of Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery! Sis is dope! Give her allll of her flowers NOW! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

06/30/2020

06/03/2020

We have been asked, "Is it safe to breastfeed after being exposed to tear gas?" Yes, usually.
We know this question is of concern for some nursing parents right now.
From LLL of Asia and Middle East, “Unless a mother is repeatedly exposed to tear gas in large quantities, for example, as a riot control police officer, frontline protestor or journalist, there is no reason to avoid nursing.”
Read more at:https://www.lllasia.org/uploads/1/2/3/4/123407059/tear_gas_exposure_and_breastfeeding_-_revised_12.18.2019.pdf

[Image text: Tear gas + breastfeeding]