Bringing a baby into the world is one of the most transformative experiences a person can go through. Whether it’s your first or fifth, having the right support can shape the way you remember your birth story forever. This is where doulas come in not just as birth companions but as advocates, educators and unwavering sources of emotional and physical support.

I say this not just as a Full-Spectrum, Community-Based Doula and Lactation Consultant, but as someone who has been there myself.

My Personal Journey: Why I Became a Doula

Thirty-five years ago, I was a teen mom in my island home, Jamaica. Although I was married at the time, I had no idea what or who a doula was. Like many young mothers, I walked into birth blindly trusting the medical system, never questioning a thing.

When I had my first of two C-sections, I don’t remember anyone clearly explaining why I needed the surgery. No one sat me down to say why my body “wasn’t able” to do what it was naturally created to do give birth vaginally. In my culture, questioning a doctor was unheard of, so I didn’t even know I had a right to ask. I just followed instructions and hoped for the best.

We won’t even go into my lactation and breastfeeding journey (or should I say, trauma) during those years that’s a story for another article!

Fast forward to today, and I am a proud doula, dedicated to supporting birthing families of all ethnicities and classes. I’ve made it my mission to ensure that no parent especially those in minority communities has to navigate pregnancy, birth or postpartum feeling lost, unheard, or uninformed.

Why Every Parent Needs a Doula—No Matter Your Background

One of the biggest misconceptions about doulas is that they are a luxury reserved for the wealthy. But the truth is, a doula is a necessity, not a privilege. In fact, research shows that having a doula significantly improves birth outcomes, lowers medical interventions, and provides families with the education and confidence they need to make informed choices.

Doulas Help By:

Providing Advocacy & Emotional Support – We make sure your voice is heard, help you understand your rights, and create a birth experience that aligns with your wishes.

Reducing Medical Interventions – Studies show that doula support is linked to lower rates of C-sections, epidurals, and unnecessary medical procedures (Cochrane Review, 2017 https://www.cochranelibrary.com/).

Improving Breastfeeding Success – With my background as a lactation consultant, I help new parents establish a strong breastfeeding relationship, leading to better infant health and lower postpartum complications (CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, 2022 https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/).

Lowering Postpartum Depression Rates – The emotional and physical support of a doula has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of postpartum depression (National Institutes of Health, 2019 https://www.nih.gov/).

Why Doulas Are Essential for Minority & Underserved Communities

For families of color, having a doula can be life-saving. Maternal health disparities in the U.S. are real and devastating:

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Many of these deaths are preventable with proper support, advocacy, and education (CDC Maternal Mortality Report, 2023 https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/).

Community-based doulas help close the gap. Research shows that when minority parents receive culturally competent doula care, they experience higher breastfeeding rates, lower C-section rates, and better overall birth satisfaction (Health Affairs, 2022 https://www.healthaffairs.org/).

Doula support is becoming more accessible. Many states now offer Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, making it easier for lower-income families to receive quality care (National Health Law Program, 2023 https://healthlaw.org/).

What Makes a Community-Based Doula Different?

Unlike hospital-based doulas, community-based doulas like myself meet families where they are—whether at home, virtually or within their neighborhoods. We offer:

Prenatal education – So parents know what to expect, understand their rights, and feel empowered in their choices.
Labor & birth support – Offering hands-on comfort measures, emotional reassurance and advocacy in the birth space.
Postpartum care & lactation support – Because the fourth trimester is just as important as birth itself.

For many minority families, this kind of holistic, culturally relevant support can mean the difference between a traumatic birth and an empowering one.

You Deserve a Doula. Period.

Whether you’re rich or poor, planning a hospital birth or a home birth, expecting your first or your fifth—you deserve support. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to understand every step of your birth experience.

A doula isn’t just for those who can afford luxury care. A doula is for YOU.

If you’re expecting and looking for compassionate, experienced and culturally aware support, I would love to walk this journey with you.

Let’s connect and talk about how I can support you!

Because every birth deserves a doula.

Resources & Further Reading:

• CDC Maternal Mortality Report, 2023: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/
• Cochrane Review on Continuous Labor Support, 2017: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/
• Health Affairs Study on Doulas and Birth Outcomes, 2022: https://www.healthaffairs.org/
• National Health Law Program – Doula Medicaid Coverage, 2023: https://healthlaw.org/