BIRTH DOULA
I began my studies and journey on the road to becoming a birth doula by first looking into becoming a Bereavement doula. I felt called initially to that role as a result of having been at the bedside of my mother and brothers during their last moments of life. I was able to receive training virtually, as it was during the pandemic. I saw that I had the strength and compassion to serve in that manner because of how I handled the transitions of my family members. However, after the pandemic ended, my desire to be of service shifted from bereavement to birth when I joined Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. At ENON, I learned about the “Doulas for His Kingdom ministry. DFHK was offering training sponsored by CocoLife.Black for anyone interested in becoming a Birth Doula. I joined, trained, and became certified as a Birth Doula. I am now moving towards becoming certified as a Perinatal Doula. The services provided by CocoLife.Black, founded by Alexia Doumbouya, also includes a Dial-A-Doula resource available for black and brown women in our communities and globally as well.
I know that I am blessed beyond measure in this life. I went from wanting to die to witnessing life being birthed before my eyes. There is nothing more precious than life …I will continue to serve in this capacity for as long as my services are requested.
My deepest thanks go out to Alexia Doumbouya, Laurin Kerrin, Melieka Young, LaKeisha Entsuah, Deborah Scott-Watson and Charlotte Allen for helping light my flame and guiding me on this journey where “New Life meets New Breath”.