Your Doula
Throughout history women have been supported by other women during birth. As technology progressed much of the emotional support traditionally given was reduced and the focus shifted to a more medically focused birth. The emotional wellbeing of the birthing person went unsupported. This is where the role of the doula comes into play.
Originally from Georgia and the only daughter of four, I have always been interested in the birthing process and child development. This interest led me to Hampton University where I earned my bachelors in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Although I felt my calling was not in this career field, I did learn skills necessary to make me better equipped for the true calling I later discovered.
My mom taught me the importance of a birth led by innate abilities and how birthing people harness a special kind of strength when bringing a new life into the world. While her birth outcomes were medically positive, there was an emotional piece that she was missing. That feeling of knowing you are not alone. That assurance there is someone to not only assist in comfort measure and hold space for you but encourage you to use the power within you. From her birth stories, as a child I always wondered who could’ve been there for her to provide that missing aspect to her experience. As an adult after learning about the racial and economic disparities that occur from prenatal visits up to labor and delivery I discovered the role of a doula. A positive birth is possible and as a doula, it is my honor to equip birthing people with the tools necessary for a birth serene.
-Imaan Watts
