Radical Doula Profiles

Radical Doula Profiles: Joey Larson

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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!

Picture of Joey Larson holding a newbornAbout Joey: Birth has become a passion in my life, the rights for woman and how she is treated before, during, and after birth should make her feel no less than honored and treasured. My mom taught me compassion, choice, love and support are so important in a woman’s life..and behold a doula was born…The idea of birth makes me cry and the truth is it is a true MIRACLE. Working with my many types of families and situations has opened my eyes and appreciation to different cultures and customs of birth. I am in awe how birth changes yet stays the same all over the world. It truly is a universal miracle. I live in Minnesota. Contact: birthingmiracles.yolasite.com or birthingmiracles.jl@gmail.com.

What inspired you to become a doula?
I was so lucky to be chosen by God to be birthed in to a family with a mother who loved the miracle of what birth was..I always worked and loved the babies and mama’s..My mom taught me compassion, choice, love and support are so important in a woman’s life..and behold a doula was born…The idea of birth makes me cry and the truth is it is a true MIRACLE.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
I believe a woman should have rights, rights to her body during pregnancy. She should choose when and where she births. A woman should have the right to decide what she puts in her body and her babies body during and after birth. A woman should not have a stereotype because of how she births or what she chooses in the birthing process. Birth is a miracle and should be treated no less than of which it truly is.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
My doula philosophy is a woman should have the birth she chooses. She should have many choices. I believe that to have a great birth you need to treasure a woman in all areas, like emotional, physical and spiritual. To teach her to advocate and give her a voice. I also let women know they can interview, fire, and change at any point in their birth.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
I would say my favorite thing is watching the transformation from a woman to a mother and when a partner’s face changes when they see the picture of LOVE in their new baby or babies. I love holding a space and having a women feel treasured. I also think a great birth is the partner feeling empowered and supported as well.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
CHOICES.. lots and less judgement.

Radical Doula Profiles: Nikki

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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!

Nikki smiling with long hair

About Nikki: My name is Nikki and I’m brand new to the doula game! I’m training as a birth doula and serve Warren (PA), Erie (PA), and Chautauqua (NY) counties. I became a doula for a plethora of reasons. I’ve always been an activist for women’s rights. I’ve known too many women walk into the hospital planning to breastfeed, to have a natural birth, to avoid a cesarean, only to walk out with a bottle fed baby that, while beautiful and magnificent, was not given the chance at the birth both mom and baby deserved. No one should fear birth. We’ve been doing it for eons. I want to welcome babies into the world. I want to see them take their first breath and have their mother, alert and overjoyed, gaze into that babies eyes and know that this is her world now. I don’t want anyone to suffer the misery of not getting the experience they deserve.

Out of all of this, I was inspired to search for a way to help. I created Birth Essentials Doula Services as a way to spread the love the mothers and babies. Helping women who may otherwise not be able to afford a doula or even know what a doula is! You can find Birth Essentials at facebook.com/pabirthessentials, on twitter @BE_Doula, or our website.

What inspired you to become a doula?

Years ago, I became enamored with the birth process, I considered the life of a doula, but that it was far-fetched and impossible. Fast forward to more recent times. I suffered a devastating miscarriage of my first pregnancy, at first I wanted only to wallow in my sadness, but, for the sake of my lost child, I knew I had to do something better. I discovered Intuitive Childbirth, the program through which I am certifying. I knew that this was something I had to do. I needed to ensure that, although my family did not expand the way we expected, other women were not stripped of their choices and their autonomy. I never want anyone to feel so helpless, whether in the midst of a loss or on what should be the most joyous occasion they will ever experience. Every birth, every mother, and every baby is precious, unique, and deserves the best.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

To be a radical doula, to me, means to never stop pushing (no pun intended). No matter where we’re practicing, who we’re working with, or what kind of obstacles might get in our way, a good doula takes care of her clients. She supports her community and educates women who need her. She doesn’t turn away a client because of a lack of funds, she stays up all day and night, sacrificing her own time to ensure that every woman that needs her can have her at their side.

I believe that I am destined to be a radical doula.

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

Trust.

Trust your body, trust your instincts, trust yourself.

Nobody knows what’s better for you than you do. You may need some assistance along the way. Sometimes it may feel like you’re never going to make it out alive. That’s where people like myself come in. That’s why there are midwives and OBs and doula’s to help you through every part of this experience. More than anything, you need encouragement. Nobody should ever make you feel inadequate. Ina May has said it and I believe it is true. Your body is NOT a lemon.

My whole philosophy on life, in all venues, is about trusting yourself. Doing what’s best for you without stepping on too many toes. Do You.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

I love being an advocate. I love empowering women. I love that I can be a source of support in what can be a beautiful, yet very difficult time. Being a doula is about support and love. That’s all I want from this.

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

Obstetricians are for complicated pregnancy! Midwives are for the majority of women who are perfectly capable of giving birth on their own terms!

The United States has this so backwards! Birth is not scary or inherently dangerous. Why is it okay to show an inaccurate, TERRIFYING scene of a cesarean birth on tv, but not a natural, loving, peaceful birth? Women need exposure to the truth. They need more women like us Radical Doulas to show them the way.

We are not broken, pregnancy is not an illness. We can’t afford to believe these falsehoods anymore.

Radical Doula Profiles: Lisa Artis

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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!

Lisa lying down with braids

About Lisa: I am originally from Washington D.C. and I have two beautiful daughters who are my world and were truly my first teachers regarding the magic of birth. I’ve worked with families in the D.C. area as well as in Tallahassee, Florida and South Florida where my girls were born. I have met and connected with some astounding doulas and families in the state of Michigan as well, where home birth is on the rise. I hope to connect with many more women and families in South Florida, especially those who desire home birth and to birth in non-traditional settings.

I like to think that my experience has and will continue to inspire birthing women. I have been pregnant four times; my first child was born via a c section due to fetal distress. After that experience, I knew I wanted things to be different the second time around and they were! I had my second daughter at home and it was a most memorable experience. Vbac rocks!!

I have two “spirit” babies; one who was born in 2006 (a miscarriage) and one who was born in 2009 (a stillbirth). All of my “births” tell my story as a mother, a doula and a strong woman who has seen and literally experienced birth in all of its glory and pain. I am a doula who “knows” the winds of change when it comes to birth and who will be there through it all. I love and support this beautiful journey and I hope to one day become a midwife.

What inspired you to become a doula?

I believe my inspiration to become a doula has been within me since I was a child! I have always loved new babies, the beautiful energy that exudes from a pregnant woman and being present in their lives. Before I knew there was a name for women who assist pregnant and birthing women, I made it my business to be there for my friends who had just given birth. A close girlfriend of mine was my doula during the birth of my second child and it was then that I knew I wanted to inquire further about becoming a doula myself.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I identify with the term “radical doula” with an innate knowing that since this is my calling; I must be radical about what I am doing; sharing with other women, supporting them through their own personal journey and knowing that my work is a reflection of how much I love being in the midst of birth and the postpartum period.

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

My doula philosophy is to love and support mothers from all walks of life; there are no boundaries for me when it comes to being a doula. When I am asked to join a woman at her birth or afterward; I see a new mother who I have been honored to accompany and I take this position of nurturing her seriously from day one.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

My favorite thing about being a doula is the connections that I make with mothers and families. Looking in a mama’s eyes as I hold her hands and encourage her during labor is priceless. I have never left a birth without shedding tears of joy; watching intently as baby makes his or her way into the world; it’s a spiritual experience for me; always. Watching mama and baby connect for the first time is so energizing to me; it’s truly unforgettable.

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

I would most definitely have more positive images of birth in the media instead of what we are typically fed. Birthing women cry, growl, laugh, and some even experience orgasm! They are all not strapped to beds screaming for drugs and wishing they could be doing anything other than giving birth.

Radical Doula Profiles: Simone Snyder

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Simone smiling with long earrings

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 Simone: I started working as a doula and childbirth educator in Santa Fe, NM and I am now living and working back in New Jersey. I am also a massage therapist, placenta specialist, and Dancing for Birth instructor. I have two amazing boys. One was born in a hospital in NJ and the other was born at home in NM. Two very, very different experiences. In addition to my birthwork I am also a Dating Abuse Prevention Educator. I work with a doula partner and we can be contacted through our website www.douanj.com. One day I will also be a midwife.

What inspired you to become a doula?

I was inspired by doula work a few years before I ever found out I was pregnant. When I began my pregnancy journey I hired a doula before I found a doctor or told anyone I was pregnant! There was just something about the idea of being able to support and empower women that was appealing. I had NO idea it would lead me to where I am today. My hospital birth experience was less then ideal to say the least. I didn’t realize just how traumatizing it was until I had experienced a homebirth. It took me a few years after my first son was born to actually start working as a doula but it has been full steam ahead since then, it has been about six years since I attended my first birth. I eat, sleep, and breathe maternal and child health.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I think I identified with the word radical all of my life. I have always had this radical spirit-the kind of spirit that gets other people to say “oh boy there she goes again.” I just can’t help it-I see something that is important to me and that is it. For so long I felt like I had to walk this fine line. Many doula trainings out there teach you to be the opposite of radical, to be as middle ground as you can possibly be. I realized that is not me. The concept of putting what I associate with the word radical and what I associated with the word doula together was a huge eye opener. The term radical doula helped me to realize I could put all that I am passionate about together, to begin to work all along the spectrum. I think it also offers the ability to connect your political beliefs to the work you love. I have never been given the freedom to do that before.

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

It is all about the same thing…

It is about choice. It is about education. It is about information. It is about equality. It is about empowerment. And it is about the truth and not believing everything you are told. It is about asking questions.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?

Watching a woman really come in to her own power throughout the process. The earlier we get to work with mamas the better. Knowing that what she did was amazing, and knowing that she could do it all by herself. Knowing that her body knew how to grow, birth and feed a baby. Watching that sense of trust and faith unfold. Then being able to watch that carry over into parenting-it is priceless!

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

FEAR! The fear women are fed on a daily basis. If we could get rid of that fear I think things would be vastly different then they are now.

Radical Doula Profiles: Alexandrea Finney

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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!

Alexandrea smiling wearing yellow headbandAbout 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

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Photo of Karly with glasses and scarfThis 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 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

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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 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

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Kira Kim smiling with red lipstick

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 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

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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!

Photo of Joce's back with a sign that says 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!