Mother Earth Doula Care

08/23/2024

We're proud to offer free doula services through the Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective! Every birthing person deserves compassionate support, and we're here to ensure you have the care you need during this special time. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, don't hesitate to reach out. 🧡www.widocc.org

08/11/2024

August is Breastfeeding Awareness month! 🤎

Breastfeeding benefits for maternal health include:
- Decreased menstrual blood loss
- Decreased risk of breast, ovarian, endometrial and thyroid cancers
- Decreased risk of hypertension
- Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes
- Decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Follow this link to learn more about the benfits of breastfeeding for mom and baby: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/default.aspx?_gl=1*rg664y*_ga*MTMyMjI5OTMxMi4xNzIzMTUwNDMw*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTcyMzE1MDQyOS4xLjEuMTcyMzE1MDQ1Ny4wLjAuMA..

07/22/2024

👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

07/07/2024

Research has repeatedly confirmed that black mothers and babies have the worst childbirth outcomes in the United States regardless of income level.(“Childbirth is Deadlier for Black Families Even When They’re Rich, Expansive Study Finds,” New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202...

05/06/2024

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month.

Preeclampsia rates are on the rise in the US and are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death.

All expectant parents need to know the risk factors for developing high blood pressure during pregnancy - and that you can also have no risk factors, but still may develop it.

Learn more here: https://preeclampsia.org/aspirin

05/05/2024

May 5 is International Bereaved Mother’s Day and we are sending love and lifting up in prayer those who this day was set aside to honor. Your motherhood story matters 🩷

🌈 If you are a mama who’s lost a baby and is on or moving toward the journey of pregnancy after loss, you may be interested in my book, Courageously Expecting, which empathizes with and encourages those who have lost a baby and courageously want to try again: https://amzn.to/3NCUWRG

👉For more empathy and encouragement for pregnancy after loss, join the IG community: https://www.instagram.com/courageouslyexpecting

05/02/2024

Governor Evers’ proclamation declares May as International Doula Month in Wisconsin, recognizing the essential role doulas play in supporting families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods.

Despite our invaluable contributions, doulas are often underrepresented in the birth world. Being seen as a doula means so much to us - it validates our work, raises awareness about the benefits we provide, and ultimately leads to better outcomes for birthing individuals. Let’s shine a light on the importance of doulas together!

Thank you Governor Tony Evers

04/29/2024

🗣️ Spreading the word!

We are hosting a Community Baby Shower to support the arrival of our littlest members and those with toddlers. Community resource partners will be on site with vital information to assist you along your journey of parenthood. Each family will be able to leave with 1 bag of items, including diapers, baby-safe hygiene products, and much more. You must RSVP to receive items. Register at shermanphoenix.com/events

04/27/2024

🧡 Attention: We are excited to provide FREE DOULA SERVICES for a limited amount of folks! Are you or someone you know 27 weeks pregnant or more and in the Milwaukee area? Send us a DM or email [email protected] for more details!

04/03/2024

Join us as we celebrate Doulas of Color during Black Maternal Health Week over a fantastic brunch- we hope to see you there!

03/23/2024

🌍 Happy World Doula Week! 🌏

🎉Happy World Doula Week!!🎉
Don’t forget to come meet us tomorrow 10-12PM at our offices. 🧡

03/23/2024

Happening tomorrow!

ONE WEEK AWAY!
We can’t wait to meet you!

03/19/2024

WIDOCC’s very own Marisa Hernandez-De Windt will present at Planned Parenthood’s Safe Healthy Strong Conference tomorrow 3/20 at 1:00pm CT in Spanish! Interpretation options are available. Don’t miss her talk on La valentía de una Doula en Nuestras Comunidades/The Courage of a Doula in Our Communities. Can we talk about how crucial it is for communities of color to have access to doulas who speak their primary language?! Good luck Marisa, you will shine!

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Los participantes aprenderán todo sobre los beneficios de trabajar con una Doula para mejorar los resultados del parto. La presentadora compartirá los entresijos y las cosas más fascinantes que ha vivido trabajando tanto como Doula hospitalaria como extrahospitalaria. Las doulas se centran en ayudar a las personas a afrontar las partes difíciles del embarazo y el parto, así como en la pérdida de un bebé, y en honrar la conexión entre el nacimiento y la vida. Después de un parto, las Doulas se quedan con los clientes para abordar los desafíos posparto. Este taller explorará cómo trabajar eficazmente con una Doula y quién puede beneficiarse más de sus servicios. (Marisa Hernandez-Dewindt, Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective)

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Participants will learn all about the benefits of working with a Doula to improve birth outcomes. The presenter will share the ins and outs and most fascinating things she has experienced working both as a Hospital Doula and Out-of-Hospital. Doulas focus on helping individuals navigate the challenging parts of pregnancy and childbirth as well as infant loss and honoring the connection of birth and life. After a birth, Doulas stay with clients to address post-partum challenges. This workshop will explore how to effectively work with a Doula and who can most benefit their services. (Marisa Hernandez-Dewindt, Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective)

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Marisa Hernandez-DeWindt ama el bienestar en todas sus formas y encuentra gran satisfacción como masajista terapéutica, entrenadora de bienestar transformacional, instructora física y de movimiento, doula de parto, doula del final de la vida, artista curativa/bailarina y poeta. Marisa tiene un gran interés en mejorar las habilidades de las madres y los seres humanos que luchan con problemas de salud mental, enfermedades crónicas, especialmente aquellas personas que se recuperan de un trauma

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Marisa Hernandez-DeWindt (Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective) loves wellness in all forms and finds great satisfaction as a Massage Therapist, Transformational Wellness Coach, Fitness and Movement Instructor, Birth Doula, End of Life Doula, Healing Artist/ Dancer and Poet. Marisa has a strong interest in improving skills for Mothers and humans who struggle with mental health challenges, Chronic diseases, especially those healing from trauma.

02/25/2024

Our Director of National Resources Anne Napatalung will be traveling soon to present her research on Reproductive Justice at UC-Santa Barbara! As a founding member of WIDOCC in 2014, the collective has grounded and inspired her (and given her much needed laughter 😂) through and through. Wish her luck!

02/01/2024

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This Black History Month, we pay homage to the incredible legacy of Black doulas who have played a vital role in shaping our community's well-being. From the profound impact during times of slavery, where Black midwives and Doulas demonstrated unparalleled strength and resilience, to the rich tapestry of African traditions that recognized the sacredness of childbirth, the roots run deep.

In the face of adversity, Black doulas have been pillars of support, providing care that goes beyond the physical realm. Their nurturing presence embodies the spirit of ancestral wisdom, empowering birthing individuals to reclaim their narratives.

Today, we acknowledge the significance of Black doulas in addressing the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality. Through their dedication, they actively contribute to bridging gaps in healthcare access and dismantling systemic disparities.

From the challenging times of slavery to the richness of African traditions, the roots of Black doulas run deep. During slavery, Black midwives and Doulas played pivotal roles, offering support and care in the face of adversity. This legacy, rooted in ancestral wisdom, laid the foundation for the compassionate care we recognize today.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let's recognize the invaluable contributions of Black doulas and their ongoing efforts to create a more equitable and compassionate birthing world. Together, we honor the legacy, learn from the past, and forge a future where every mother and child can thrive. 💪🏽🤱🏿

01/09/2024

A birth plan is your personalized roadmap for childbirth, outlining your preferences and desires. It serves as a crucial communication tool, fostering a collaborative relationship with your healthcare team. By expressing your wishes, you contribute to a more empowering and positive birthing experience, aligning the journey with your values and priorities.

12/13/2023

Come join us at the Club Timbuktu on East Center Street in Milwaukee, WI, USA from 6-9 PM for the Doula's and More Networking Event. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow doulas and other professionals in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned doula or just starting out, this event is perfect for expanding your network and gaining valuable insights. Don't miss out on this exciting chance to mingle, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Mark your calendar and get ready for an evening of networking, learning, and fun!

11/22/2023

🗣️ Helping Spread the Word!

Regal Family Services, Inc. is a Milwaukee area organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities through innovative, transformative, and sustainable programming, and collective impact collaborations.

They’ve recently announced their newest Perinatal Internship opportunity for 2024! It’s a year-long internship for aspiring birthworkers and those who want to serve the birthing community.

11/20/2023

Couldn’t agree more.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/owxdJiseLm5TN71o/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Elective induction around a holiday is for convenience, but not yours.

With Thanksgiving & Christmas coming up, loads of unnecessary inductions and c-sections are about to happen.

Every year there is a HUGE decrease in births on (and around)...

🔆 Christmas
🔆 New Year’s Eve/Day
🔆 Easter (changes yearly - first Sunday after the full moon in April)
🔆 Memorial Day (changes yearly - last Monday in May in the US)
🔆 Independence Day (4th of July in the US)
🔆 Thanksgiving (changes yearly - last Thursday in November)

And it’s not just the United States - it's everywhere.

How could it be that all of these holidays have lower birth rates year after year?

It’s not a coincidence - it’s about convenience.

And not YOUR convenience. The convenience of providers.

No one wants to work on holidays, and hospital birth providers have a way to make sure (for the most part) that they don’t have to.

Inductions & c-sections are rarely scheduled ON holidays, but they ARE frequently scheduled in the days leading up to, or just after, a holiday.

If you are due around a holiday, and your provider suggests an induction or c-section, it’s a good idea to question why (remember that you always have the right to decline). If there is NOT a legitimate medical reason, they may be more concerned with being home in time for a holiday dinner than your well being.

For more info and references on this topic, check out my FREE holiday births handout on my website (birthuprising.com/resources).

11/12/2023

・・・
A guide for pregnant women, expectant parents and their supporters, first responders, medical staff, and all humanitarians in disaster and crisis situations by .

Access to guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQNZ2NYGkgxmN_ZF6kHRbq0d-vH31QwipMnI8RiYSqwq2iGwj62OHBHo-LCrCfNOyD2tpW7b764TDll/pub

With Jennie Joseph’s approval, we translated this guide through a professional translation company into MSA Arabic, Armenian, French, Ukrainian and Hebrew.

10/13/2023

Registration link: https://forms.gle/JHJFYzaKY3vaP74m6

10/09/2023

Birth centers are portals to gentle futures - futures where birth is safe, sacred, loving, and celebrated for everyone. 🥰

09/30/2023

We are so proud to work with doulas of all backgrounds from across the country and seek to help all doulas build their skills, regardless of where they received their doula certification.

One of the many ways we support professional doulas is through our Online Learning Community.

Join us on Facebook Live this Tuesday, October 3 at 1:00 pm EST (12:00 CT)and learn more about the DTD Online Learning Community! We believe that being a doula is a life-long journey of learning, reflection, and community. Feel free to ask questions and get engaged during our live discussion. See you there!

Join our Online Learning Community to further develop your doula skills. https://doulaworkshop.com/our-courses/dtd-online-learning-community/

09/29/2023

SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Online training is a four-week course for dual certification for the labor and postpartum doula.

SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training was created in 2002 to train doulas in the legacy of the 20th Century African American midwife who demonstrated traditional and spiritual perinatal care.

The training is designed to build capacity in the Black community, increase the number of doulas of color, and learn the midwifery model of care. Learn more about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Online Training.

https://smcdoulas.com/courses/online-doula-training-october-9-november-5-2023/

Hey everyone! 2023 is almost over, which means that this is the last online SMC Doula training of 2023. Training is October 9th -November 5th. Become a SMC Doula and learn the needs of the community, to help improve birth outcomes. Register today. Registration is in the bio.

07/18/2023

🗣️ Scholarship Opportunity Announcement!

Persons interested in gaining professional lactation education from the Black perspective are urged to enroll in the B.L.A.C.K. Course!

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We are excited to announce, in collaboration with the The Lactation Network 6 full scholarships to our October 2023 cohort; October 4-10, 2023. This is our 45 hours Certified Blactation Educator/Accomplice training. The hours DO qualify towards IBLCE requirements (we are not providing CERPS at this time). To apply before August 7th go to www.theblackcourse.com.

This scholarship opportunity is open nationwide.

07/10/2023

Join us for our free online Birth Trauma Support for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Birthing People support group 💙

Led by trained peer facilitators, this group is for any Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) who has experienced trauma (mental and/or physical) during childbirth. Did you feel unsupported during childbirth? Did you feel unheard or felt a loss of control? Have you been grieving your birth experience? You deserve support. Birth trauma is based on your perception of the experience, and no formal diagnosis is needed to join this group. Some common symptoms, but not all, that can occur after birth trauma are upsetting memories, avoiding talking about the event, and having negative thoughts/feelings about the event. BIPOC birthers can also experience trauma related to racism, discrimination, oppression, and specific cultural views and beliefs. This group is a place to discuss these experiences with other BIPOC birthers and facilitators. You can be at any point post-delivery, from 1-week to many years. This group is specifically focused on birth trauma and connecting with others, so you can know that you are not alone, and you are not to blame. While your story has so much value, in this space we will not explore birth story details as they could be triggering to others. We encourage you to reach out to a licensed healthcare provider to process your birth story. In this group, we will discuss the effects of trauma, our emotions, and coping skills.

View the support group schedule and register at bit.ly/FindSupportGroup

06/15/2023

Please join us for this free training opportunity for community members and youth serving professionals. This training is virtual and you only need to attend one of the sessions. We have an afternoon session held on Tues 7/11 and an evening session held on Thurs 7/13.

No registration required. To join us, simply follow the zoom link below or scan the QR-Code in the flyer.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81945265731

If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to Tou at [email protected] or Jaylin at [email protected]

05/29/2023

“Nationwide — For more than 20 years now, Shafia M. Monroe, the founder of SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training, has been training and certifying doulas to help improve birth outcomes, teach Black birth tradition, and bring more joy to the birthing experience.”

Nationwide -- For more than 20 years now, Shafia M. Monroe, the founder of SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training, has been training and certifying doulas to help improve birth outcomes, teach Black birth tradition, and bring more joy to the birthing experience.Birth should be a beautiful ti...

05/01/2023

While the Wisconsin Legislature decides whether or not BadgerCare will be expanded to a full year after childbirth, I want to highlight that postpartum preeclampsia can develop up to six weeks after childbirth.

Access to medical care and prescriptions to help manage and fully recover must be available in order to ensure ongoing treatment keeps mother/parent alive and well.

As knowledgeable Doulas we understand how important it is that our clients pay attention to specific postpartum symptoms, including severe headache, vision changes, swelling of the hands and face, and especially difficulty breathing.

Within days after birth Doulas go into our client’s homes- we see them, listen to them say how they feel, and provide support. Spending that time connecting with them is essential.

A big component is not only ensuring that our client knows the signs of postpartum preeclampsia to look for - but their household members as well.

In the spirit of ‘It Takes a Village,’ you can share this video to educate others on what they need to know: http://www.stillatrisk.org

Preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome are disorders that occur only during pregnancy and the postpartum period, which affect both the mother and the unborn baby. Preeclampsia affects at least 5 percent of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressur...

04/13/2023