This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!
About Samm Fonteyne-Crescioni: I am a full spectrum doula and childbirth educator, who uses she/her pronouns and identifies as a disabled queer femme. I reside and practice in Seattle, Washington.
What inspired you to become a doula?
My path towards clinical social work was detered by health complications and during treatment a close friend asked if I ever considered becoming a doula. After that conversation, I did some further research into the traditional practice, discovered Miriam Zoila Pérez, and found my true calling – providing non-judgemental emotinal, physical, and informational support.
Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
I am committed to advocating for reproductive and social justice, with a lens of intersectionality; providing culturally sensitive and trauma-informed support.
What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
Within my practice, I honor folks unique circumstances, intentions, boundaries, experiences, knowledge, intuition, cultural practices and rituals. I provide accessible client-centered and community-based comfort, support, and resources. As well as foster an inclusive and safe environment; while practicing radical self-love, mindfulness, non-violent communication, and boundary work.
If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
I believe in accessible holistic community-based support for every individual. Thus, there is a need for more LGBTQ+, native, poc, and q/tpoc practioners, midwives, doulas, community-based resources, et cetera for pregnant and/or birthing individuals who identify as a LGBTQ+, native, poc, or q/tpoc.
Radical Doula 