kick-ass radical doulas – Page 8

Radical Doula Profiles: Alexandrea Finney

November 13, 2013October 17, 2013MZPLeave a comment

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 Alexandrea Finney: Hanging out in the far west suburbs of Chicago, Saint Charles Illinois to be exact, I’m a slightly obsessed chicken keeper, garden grower, wanna-be-foodie picture taker, mother of one incredible ASD diagnosed kiddo, and lover of this messy journey called life. I hang out online at www.facebook.com/alexandreafinney. Drop in and say hi, I’d love to meet you!

What inspired you to become a doula?

My journey to being a doula has found me kicking and resisting most of the way. I still have a hard time defining myself as a doula because regular on-call birth assistance does not fit in my current lifestyle and that seems to be the classical definition of “doula”. The call to support women, however, to travel with them and to stand at the end of the bridges when they travel alone, has been irresistible in my life.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

When I first heard the term “radical doula” I thought, “Yes! That’s it!”. While birth is one of the “deepest drinks” many women take in life, I can’t separate it from pregnancy, fertility, menses, loss, abortion, sexuality, menopause . . . life. For me, my doula work involves late night calls to mamas far away while my daughter sleeps, long Facebook chats where we knit together community with women who don’t have it locally, coffee shop get togethers about fertility planning, and hand holding through deep, deep grief. I hope at some point my work does involve grabbing a bag and running out the door to attend a birth, but it includes a lot more than that too.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

I believe that through shaming and ignorance, we have lost a valuable understanding of ourselves as women. I believe that regaining the knowledge and the mystery of our bodies changes us and changes the world.

As a queer mama I have seen how shame and marginalization of the LGBT community has torn away our confidence in our bodies and its abilities. Gender queer and transexual men and women have almost no recognition or support in the birthing community. I politically support and fight for the right to fully show up in the world. Wrapping my arms around my community, finding resources and educating, and taking back full ownership of our reproductive, sexual selves is an act of political activism for me.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

My favorite thing is watching women evolve, “being with” as they come into a fuller actualization of who they are. I’ll never get tired of watching that happen.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?

I would hold up a mirror that would show every pregnant and birthing human being their own deity, the breathtakingly beautiful person they are.

Radical Doula Profiles: Karly Santiago

November 6, 2013October 17, 2013MZP2 Comments

About Karly Santiago: I am a birth doula based in Long Beach, CA. I started out my earlier career wanting to be a make up artist but my life had another calling! I have an amazing man that I call mine and two little girls that are the epitome of rascals! I believe in informed choices, loving support, and a hand to hold. Your birth experience matters! You can find me on the web: www.picklesandicecreamdoula.com on Facebook: www.facebook.com/picklesandicecreamdoula or on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/doulakarly

What inspired you to become a doula?

The birth of my second daughter really changed my perspective on giving birth. I felt like I could conquer the world after that experience. I wanted other women to feel the way I did. No matter what their birthing choices, everyone should be treated with respect and allowed to make their own choices for their body.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I identify with being a radical doula because I believe information is power! We need to take back our bodies and experiences. Women should have every right to informed consent, letting their bodies labor naturally, and choices when it comes to their baby. Wouldn’t it be radical if every woman had the support and respect she deserves?!

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

My absolute favorite thing is being able to witness the moment that a woman becomes a mother and a man becomes a father. It doesn’t matter if its the first time or the 5th time, the moment is pure magic! The surprise and love that is all over their face the first time they lay eyes on their sweet babe is like no other. I count it a privilege to be in that moment with them.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?

I would want to change the way that others speak to pregnant women. The negativity and horror stories are not helping to further the amazing thing that is birthing a baby. We have to realize that just because one woman had an unfortunate experience, doesn’t make that the norm. We need to grow and learn from our past, but not dwell there. Instead of scaring a pregnant woman, why not tell her what you learned from your experience? It might help the both of you grow and build a bond that we should have as women. Sisterhood is a powerful tool, especially when we rally around a pregnant mama!

Radical Doula Profiles: Latrice Hankerson

October 30, 2013October 17, 2013MZPLeave a comment

About Latrice: I am a mother of 3 expecting my 4th child in December. We live in Boynton Beach. I aspire to travel long term very soon with my family. I am very critical of the status quo. I seek to find the truth and inform and inspire people through education. I aspire to be a published writer in the next 3 years. I also am very passionate about helping mothers help other mothers, and would love to be the UN Ambassador of Maternal Health one day!

What inspired you to become a doula?

I became a doula because I believe in women. I believe in mothers and I firmly believe that the only way to strengthen goodness in the world is to support, uplift and inspire mothers. Mothers represent the me, the future of our planet.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I identify with that term because I have recently made the connection between the disempowerment of women during the birth process and accordingly in life. Women have been sold the story that we are passive participants in our births and that is NOT the way it should be. I believe that the decline in midwifery is directly correlated to war and violence in the world. I believe in radical change in the way we look at, speak of and treat birth. I am strongly interested in Africa as a region for the upliftment of birthing mothers. Africa represents to me ground zero of humanity and ironically, ground zero of the worst places on the planet to birth. Sad but true.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

My philosophy is that the more women know, the more empowered they are to ask questions and hold health care providers accountable. Women will be the catalyst for changing birth from a capitalist venture to a sacred experience worthy of respect.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

It is like meeting God. Attending birth is a divine gift. Fragile and powerful, urgent and timely. Birth is magical.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?

It would be that women are afraid. Afraid and fractured from an experience that should be life alteringly beautiful and unforgettable. No woman should ever have to birth alone or fearfully. That is changeable. NOW.

Radical Doula Profiles: Kira Kim

October 23, 2013October 17, 2013MZPLeave a comment

Kira Kim smiling with red lipstick

About Kira Kim: I am Mama to two awesome kids who are 3 and 1 and I live on the North Shore about 20 miles north of Boston. I am a labor doula, lactation educator and placenta encapsulation specialist. I am also a student midwife through the Massachusetts Midwives Alliance and loving every minute. Society likes to put us in boxes. I hate it and break out constantly. But if I had to be put in boxes, these would be them and of these I’m the most proud: I’m a wife, a Mama, an existentialist. A doula, a lactation educator and a student midwife. A biology nerd, lover of placentas, and an extroverted introvert. A cellist, an open-minded individual and an all around hypocritical oxymoron. Find Kira on the web, on facebook, or via email: kira@northshorebirthservices.com.

What inspired you to become a doula?

My first birth was traumatic in so many ways. I was uninformed going into it and didn’t have a strong support system. I was bullied by staff and since I had no knowledge that could cement me to the floor, I lost my ground. My second birth was amazing. There was so much of it that was similar to my first. But my support system was out of this world and with me the whole entire time. They left me when I wanted to retreat. They gathered around me when I felt that I didn’t have the strength to go on. I want every woman to experience this feeling of being so radiant and so warm and so powerful in the company of Wise Women.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

There are so many definitions of the word radical. The one that comes to mind quickly for most is going against the grain, following policies of extreme change, etc.

I prefer this one (from Merriam Webster): designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue

The current medical system, in my frank opinion, is a diseased tissue. In order to change the face of maternal care in this country, we not only need to treat the effects, but remove the disease itself. Changing women’s views on their abilities and the abilities of their bodies is big for me. We are taught that are bodies are flawed (this is the effect of the medicalization of birth). If every birthing woman could have a doula and we could form the lost community of women who teach younger women, the trickle down effect of the medicalization of birth could be stopped. Then we could get to the diseased tissue which, in my opinion, is a combination of liability insurance costs and a lot of kiss arse policies that save practitioners while hurting women.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

My philosophy is that your body knows that it is doing and that forming a community of women is an empowering way to come to an understanding of who you are. This fits into my broader views that interpersonal relationships have been completely destroyed and greed and corporations (*cough* pharma *cough*) are ruining us mind, body, and spirit.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

It’s humbling and awe-inspiring. Being invited into one of the most intimate and personal times in a woman’s life is humbling on a level that I’ve never experienced.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?

That it be owned by the woman experiencing it. Not a doctor. Not a book. Not a company. By you. You are the owner of your body.

Radical Doula Profiles: Joce

October 17, 2013MZPLeave a comment

About Joce: My name is Joce. I’m 26 years old and have been in the business of babies and families for almost a decade. After the traumatic and at the same time beautiful birth of my son, I questioned what I knew about birth, womanhood, person-hood and so much more on issues I thought I clearly understood. When I relocated to Portland I thought I had made it to birth Mecca…but unfortunately I found that low income mothers from all walks of life, women of size, of color and young mothers aren’t just disenfranchised and underrepresented in the city itself..but they are total minorities within the birth community. It was with this gained knowledge that I created Gresham Doula Joce, a low cost and barter trade option for those minorities. I serve families in the SE Portland, Gresham and Troutdale area. It was with this gained knowledge that I created Gresham Doula Joce, a low cost and barter trade option for those minorities. I serve families in the SE Portland, Gresham and Troutdale area. Find Joce on Facebook, or at their website.

What inspired you to become a doula?

My homebirth cesarean was supported by a student midwife who stepped into the role of doula for me when no one else knew how. If I close my eyes I can still see her piercing gaze. Without words, her look told me that I was stronger than any contraction, fiercer than any scalpel. She saw in me what I had forgotten.

As a doula, I bring light to the power and drive within a birthing mother and her team.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

For me, the most important part of being a radical doula is sharing my skills and knowledge with disenfranchised and poorly represented communities like low income families, plus sized women, women of color, LGBT men and women and immigrants. My services are available to all families welcoming a new member, regardless of the labels and class systems we have devised.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

My presence at a birth is my chance to pay respect to the process of creating and bringing life into this world. It is a precious moment in time that I hope to make even more positive by trying to fulfill the wishes of the laboring mother.

I feel that all too often, class systems play into who we deem “deserving” of certain services or education. I also believe we within the birthing community do not engage fully in the debates and discussions that bring about real change to the field. If we continue churning out the same information and never challenge ideas on things like unassisted birth, outdoor birth or race privilege in birth, we are no better than the medical field still providing women with 50’s non-science.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

I feel a quote from a discussion I had with a fellow doula sums up why I love the work that I do!

“an activist doula sparks discussion where there is none, suggests alternatives to the alternative and thinks globally about birth, community and connectivity.”

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?

I feel we focus too much on pregnancy being over. We consider it a burden and that birth is the final hellish moment before its all over and done with and everything goes back to normal. If we considered birth the first step on a long journey that will inevitably change the existence of those involved…I think we would respect it more as a life experience and less of a “baby making event”. The baby is the cherry!

Radical Doula Profiles: Erin Carter

August 21, 2013July 26, 2013MZPLeave a comment

About Erin Carter: I am a birth doula and placenta encapsulator located in Lawndale, CA; just south of Los Angeles. I have a Bachelors in Biology and embrace the skills my scientific training offers while maintaining the view that birth is a completely natural process. I believe that women are, biologically and spiritually, perfectly equipped to bring new life into the world through birth. I am trained through DONA International and as a perpetually curious mind I am constantly seeking out continuing education. I am proud to be ‘momma’ to a beautiful little girl whose birth started me on this journey and wife to a strong supportive husband. Website: http://www.biomamabirth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BioMamaBirth

What inspired you to become a doula?
My birth experience was sad and traumatic; all of the things that I knew and all of the things that I desired for my birth were stripped away and I was reduced to a pile of statistics that the hospital staff ‘didn’t like.’ I take great issue with the use of fear tactics to coerce and control laboring women.

I wish for each client to help build them up and empower them to make their own choices and stand firm in the face of opposition when it is rooted in bias or practices that are not evidence-based. I wish for birth culture that we can consistently work to bring humanity back to the birthing process for ALL women.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
As a feminist, a plus-size woman, a child of a low-income single mom, and part of an interracial marriage/family: radical is where I live. I’m a short, white woman with a cute round face, so to the casual observer I seem pretty mainstream and folks are often surprised at how passionate I am about the divides of race, class, gender, sexuality, size, etc.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
My aim is to help bring back the belief in the abilities of the birthing woman and the value of her experience. No matter how a baby comes into this world that child deserves to be placed into the arms of a family that has been empowered and built-up by their birth team. I hate the mommy-wars and the way our society thrives on making others feel ‘lesser.’ I strive for the DONA mission of “a doula for every woman who wants one.” I don’t care who you are; if you think I’m the right doula for you I’ll do everything I can to be there, or I’ll help you find someone who can.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
Making a difference in the lives of my clients and being one voice in a growing sea of supporters of birthing women.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Respect for the experience from all professionals involved in the birth process. ‘Healthy mother, healthy baby’ is terribly oversimplified and dismisses the psychological, emotional, and physical effects that trickle down through the months and years after birth. Let’s talk about healthy families and how we can give them the best start through a respectful and humanizing birth experience.

Radical Doula Profiles: Carrie Murphy

August 14, 2013July 25, 2013MZPLeave a comment

Carrie Murphy is a poet and birth doula currently working in Northern VA and Washington DC. In addition to her birth work, she works as a freelance writer and teacher. Contact: web and email: carriemurphydoula@gmail.com

What inspired you to become a doula?
I’ve worked in childcare off and on for the majority of my life, and I’ve wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember. I’ve also always been interested in all aspects ofpregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Becoming a doula felt like a natural fit for me, a way to combine my feminist ideals with my own interests…in a job where I’m my own boss and I don’t have to work in an office! I wanted to become a doula not just for myself, but because, as a pro-choice woman, I feel passionately that women should be supported in all of their health care decisions. Women are entitled to bodily autonomy, to bodily integrity, from birth control to the birthing room and beyond.

I became a doula because I wanted to support women on one on the most monumental days of their lives. I also became a doula to support women and their families in making their own choices about their birthing experiences—whether that means a totally unmedicated birth or a prescheduled Caesearan section. I believe that a woman can and should have the birth she wants (if that includes the use of pain medication or other medical interventions or not).

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
I identify with the term radical doula first and foremost because I identify as a pro-choice feminist. I think I also like the term because of the possibilities it opens up in the realm of doula work…that being a doula can, does, and will mean much more than just supporting women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

I believe that everyone, every woman, has inherent bodily autonomy and the right to make decisions about their own body. In my practice, I strive to make every woman (and partner, and family member) feel supported and empowered in the choices she makes about her care and her baby’s care. My doula work is informed by and is imbued with my fierce belief that women must have choice in all aspects of the reproductive process. I was a pro-choice feminist before I was ever a doula and I will be a pro-choice feminist if I ever stop my work as a doula.

What I’ve learned from doula work so far is that I cannot and will not let my personal feelings about what a birth “should” or “should not” be color the birth experiences of my clients or the caliber of my commitment to doula work. My role is to support the hopes, desires, and choices of the laboring woman and her family. Your body, your baby, your choice. Period.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
I live for the moment when the mother sees the baby, that first glimpse. It gives me chills every single time!

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Could I just somehow make it magically happen that every woman feels like a willing, informed, active participant in her own care? I’d of course like to lessen the insane level of medicalization of childbirth in current American society, but I’d start with careful, respectful, considerate care across the spectrum, for all women.

Radical Doula Profiles: Cherry Herrick

July 31, 2013July 25, 2013MZPLeave a comment

CherryHerrick

About Cherry: I am a wife and mother of two grown children. I live in Southeastern Michigan. I am passionate about all things birth-related. I AM a birth-junkie. www.facebook.com/cherry.herrick

What inspired you to become a doula?
When I was on bed-rest after a surgery, I watched lots of t.v., and got hooked on the Birth Stories series. I knew then I desperately wanted to be involved in the birth process in some capacity. I had my sights set on midwifery, and am still working towards that as well. I was a young mother and gave birth to both of my children in local hospitals. My first birth experience was traumatic, and left me wondering what I did wrong for the nurses and doctors to treat me that way. My second birth experience was much better, but I still felt like there was something missing. Now I know what it was. I needed a doula!!!

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
One definition of radical, is “going against social norms”. I find it unfortunate that our (American) social norms regarding childbirth is giving birth in a hospital, and submitting to all kinds of unnecessary intervention. I hospital births should be the exception, not the rule. Radical, I know. Additionally, many women give birth with one or more family members or friends present, while nurses check on them periodically. Friends and family members, however well-intentioned they may be, can NOT take the place of a doula!

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I believe that a doula should be all that the laboring mother needs. A doula should provide support, physical, emotional, spiritual as necessary. She should know when to step in, and when to step back. As far as my political beliefs, I feel that there is too much governmental/institutional intervention in the labor and birth process.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
When I was attending a laboring friend, I looked her in the eyes and said, “You’re doing great! I’m so proud of you!” She teared up and said, “You are??”. Wow. “Of course! You’re awesome!” was my reply. It was great to see the sigh of relief as she realized that she was doing a-ok, pain and all! Seeing the miracle of a woman’s body going through all the natural motions and progressions of labor to ultimately give birth is unlike any other experience. It is a beautiful miracle.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Educate every pregnant woman on her options! Too many women go through pregnancy having no idea that they have a choice as to where they can labor and give birth! They assume laboring should be done in a hospital, and birthing should be done laying flat on her back. We (doulas, midwives, moms, and self-proclaimed “birth junkies”!) need to empower women to make decisions that are right for her and her baby! Those decisions should be based on useful, correct, documented and verifiable information, not fear or intimidation.

Radical Doula Profiles: Michelle Craig

June 19, 2013May 15, 2013MZPLeave a comment

About Michelle Craig: I am a married mom of 3 kids in Dallas, TX. I am a proud supporter of the lgbt community. I am also a supporter of a women’s right to choose what she does with her body. Contact: misha082581@gmail.com, on facebook, and on the web.

What inspired you to become a doula?

The empowerment of birth. How one can connect within themselves during childbirth. The emotional toll it takes on women.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

Pregnant family’s of all backgrounds straight, single, gay, trans, lower income, all deserve to have a support team. They deserve to have the right to information regarding procedures, the right to quality care, and they deserve the right to have unconditional love and support through their journey!

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

I believe that all people no matter what back gourd deserves the right to a informed, empowered, and supported birth. Because if you are connected to your birth then you have a better chance at being an amazing parent.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

I love being apart of something so spiritual and scared in someone’s life. Empowering them to believe in themselves.

If you could change one thing about birth, what would it be?

That everyone deserves the right to have a supported and loving team during labor. As well as a right to informed decisions.

Radical Doula Profiles: Jasmine Krapf

June 12, 2013May 15, 2013MZPLeave a comment

About Jasmine: Jasmine is a doula in Denver, Colorado. In her free time, she likes to dance, garden, and write for Mother Wild Zine-Blog. She works as a massage therapist and is studying midwifery, women’s studies, and herbalism. Jasmine is a member of Colorado Doulas Association (CDA), Colorado Midwives Association (CMA), and Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA). She is also a member of the low-cost doula program through the CDA working with low income families.

Find Jasmine: On the web, and on facebook.

What inspired you to become a doula?

A transformative and empowering birth experience is what inspired me to become a birthworker. I remember weeping weeks after the birth of my daughter remembering how sterile and eerily silent the labor & delivery unit was – I was the only woman moaning through contractions, the only woman to experience a natural birth in that hospital in a very long time (said the nurse). I felt heartbroken thinking of how sad the current system is. Birth is a biological process that is to be deeply respected. Women’s bodies and the mother-baby experience of birth can be so powerful when left alone to blossom in its own time, in its own way.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I suppose I identify with the term “radical doula” because I’m somewhat radical in my approach to social activism, not only in the world of birth, but in human rights as well. Along with being a mom and a doula, I’m a massage therapist, student midwife, “placenta enthusiast,” amateur herbalist, and all-around birth geek. I’m also currently pursuing a degree in Women’s Studies because I feel birthworkers should know about all of women’s issues, and not just the realm of reproductive health. I run a blog and magazine and love to get involved in the street art scene (painting quotes about women’s empowerment and midwifery).

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?

I personally believe childbirth has the power to transform women and families on some of the deepest levels. As care providers, we either assist or hinder that transformation by either respecting or disrespecting her autonomy. I’m a firm believer in informed choice and the “live and let live” philosophy, meaning every birth is as unique as the woman and baby experiencing it – and we should honor that by staying present, mindful, and aware of her special desires.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

I’ve attended both home and hospital births, both unmedicated and medicated, both physiological and induced births – and the one thing I’ve noticed they all have in common, no matter how a labor and birth unfolds, is that families come together with strength and grace and a beauty all their own. I believe in my heart that when we celebrate new life, when we connect, laugh, weep, and rejoice – we realize what it means to be human. After all, why hush ourselves? We’re alive.

If you could change one thing about birth, what would it be?

I would remove the fear of birth from women’s hearts and minds. I’d love to see a world where women looked at birth as a creative and intensely beautiful rite of passage.

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