Erin Hegeman - Doula

12/09/2021

YES 👏 YES 👏 YES!! READ THAT CAPTION!!

Posted • Doulas absolutely are hugely knowledgeable and influential regarding the complex factors that impact Black maternal health and perinatal care because we live it from a perspective that is OUT-WITH THE SYSTEM. The doula/birthing person relationship is powerful for this very reason.

When the freedom that doulas have to autonomously serve birthing people in the way birthing people identify they want to be served, is driven by systems that pull doulas into the medical industrial complex, doulas can no longer be the leaders in addressing the complex issues they are being used as a bandaid to fix.

Birthing people should have a protected right to access birth companionship of their choice (which may or may not include a doula) and if this includes a doula, the parameters must not be defined and controlled by anyone except the birthing person and the doula they choose.

Yes doula reimbursement is essential, but if the systems that aim to increase access to doulas also pay them, they also control what doulas do and who they do it for. This sets a completely different power dynamic and changes the sanctity and effectiveness of the support the doula offers birthing people.

Improving outcomes for Black birthing people requires doula autonomy and the protection of birthing people to choose their doula without restriction, including the where, why, with whom and for how much. Exploring doula access and reimbursement programs that enable birthing people to hire a doula of their choice and pay for them, rather than the creation of various systems that reimburse but by their very nature, result in limited access to doulas through a variety of requirements that restrict access and create barriers for underrepresented doulas must be explored as a matter of urgency.

The future of doulas as the “leaders” in addressing Black maternal health within existing and proposed community, State and National programs, initiatives and legislation, hangs very much in the balance.

So let’s talk about it.

12/05/2021

Do you feel pressured to sleep train your baby so they will learn to "self soothe"? In this post I'll explain why self soothing is nothing more than a myth.

10/26/2021

The United States is exceptional.

📸

10/24/2021

Our health is at risk. Here's how you can help.

09/05/2021

Please consider putting this on the calendar! (And messaging the original poster for details)

08/26/2021

08/17/2021

New classes from Tara @ Joyful Birth!

TWO new class series starting in September! This comprehensive childbirth ed series covers everything you and your partner need to know for a healthy, joyful birth! Whether you plan to give birth in a hospital, at home, or in a birth center, learning to trust the birth process and understand your options will be invaluable for a positive, safe birth.

https://www.joyfulbirth.us/joyful-birth-services/class-schedules/

08/15/2021

Also the 7 year old.

There's no other way.

(Via momwithaboysname )

07/14/2021

So much truth.

Works every time.

07/14/2021

Whale placenta!!

07/09/2021

🙌

An excerpt from Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage by Rachel Reed

This amazing new book is one of the gems you’ll find on our comprehensive reading list for aspiring doulas and childbirth educators.

07/02/2021

So many mainstream breastfeeding stories!

Sophia Di Martino praised the Marvel production team for making it "possible for me to do my job and be a parent."

07/01/2021

"When necessary, nursing children will be able to accompany athletes," Tokyo Olympics organizers said Wednesday, making an exception to strict COVID policies

06/27/2021

Thanks to advocacy from doulas for incarcerated women, Minnesota will become the first state to stop separating incarcerated mothers from their newborns.

06/20/2021

06/16/2021

My second child was 10 days "late". I sent the angry pregnant cat picture to folks who would ask if I had signs of labor. Do with this tidbit what you will 😊

05/29/2021

That tracks.