Why 'Birth In Color?'

Why did I choose the name ‘Birth In Color?’

Because I quickly realized how much knowledge and education is lacking in communities of color regarding pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Even more than that, birth has been whitewashed: there is a lack of pictures, videos, and stories that show women of color during this precious journey to motherhood.

Midwives Teree & Kennesha of My Sister's Keeper Midwifery

Because #yourbirthmatters ...representation matters! I was tired of having to hunt relentlessly for professional women that looked like me, for images of my sisters calmly, fiercely, & lovingly birthing their babies, for information on prenatal care that other communities know but neglect to share.

Because most mainstream images of birth are traumatic. Labor and delivery is often seen as dreadful, traumatizing, and far from enjoyable. Women look like they’re being tortured to death by labor pains, like birth is scary & a situation you should just rush through & not experience, an inconvenience.

Sometimes a doula needs a doula!

Because Black women have the highest rates of maternal mortality in the modern medical world. We are dying at 4x the rate of our white counterparts, not only because we often lack the knowledge to advocate for ourselves, but because of systemic racism.

Because women of color need to know they have options, need to know they are supported, need to know their birth story can be beautiful & full of power. Because we deserve to be empowered to trust our bodies exactly as The Most High made them. Because we matter. Because WE matter....

We want to change the "norm." We need more Birth In Color!

Doula Arija & family after a successful water birth (after 2 hospital births) with baby #3

A home birth after 3 hospital births

Doula Arija in labor being supported by her husband at the hospital with baby #4

Camille being supported by her husband during the birth of their first child