Devon the Doula

Today, for #BBW2020, I’m highlighting my favorite Black breastfeeding mama, MY SISTER The moment I got pregnant my husband and I both agreed that we would be breastfeeding our son. My mother breastfed me, his mother did not and he felt that she should have. I think both of our decisions just came from the common knowledge that everyone says breastfeeding is better for your child. I never really looked further into the specific benefits of breastfeeding or breastfeeding vers...Continue reading

Black parents, Black OB, Black owned Birth Center, Black RN and Black Doula = BLACK MAGICAL BIRTH! Hello baby boy! #164 Bold Doula LOVES The Birth Center of NJ! He's a August Virgo! ;)

Did you know that among African American babies, the rate for breastfeeding starts at 58% and drops to 28% by 6 months? For contrast, white babies start at 75% and drop to 43% by 6 months. . . . .... I’ve worked with Black breastfeeding folks who are often times discouraged by their support system because they’ve noticed them experiencing difficulty. Some people have even gone as far to tell the breastfeeding parents that it’s better for them to stop altogether because they gave their baby formula. . . . . THIS IS NOT WHAT WE NEED! . . . . Breastfeeding parents need support, encouragement, and affirmation that their decision to feed their baby with their body is just what’s right for them! . . . . Breastfeeding is our birthright. It’s time to revive, restore, and reclaim breastfeeding within our communities. . . . If you know a breastfeeding parent, check out some of the ways in which you can be of support and assistance to them while they nourish their little ones! See more

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week 2020! Why do we need a Black Breastfeeding Week? Did you know that Black babies are 2-3xmore likely to die in the US than white babies? According to the CDC, increased breastfeeding among black women could decrease infant mortality rates as much as 50%! This is just one of the many reasons why it's important to spread awareness and celebrate Black Breastfeeding! Be sure to check back all week as I share facts, stories, and celebrate Black Breastfeeding!

So happy to be a part of this amazing team of educators! We love the work we do, even through our Zoom classrooms!!

Another beautiful #lwclactationstory and photo! "Breastfeeding my sweet girl has been one of the greatest joys of my life. We’ve gone through our fair share of... challenges with a tongue tie, latching, a milk allergy, and reflux, but we have figured it out with the help of the amazing lactation consultants at Lifecycle. As I nourish my little one and watch her grow, I am so grateful for what my own body can do. " Let's continue the celebration! Email us your #lwclactationstory along with any photos you'd like to share to [email protected]. #worldbreastfeedingweek2020 #WBW2020 #WABA #SupportBreastfeedingforaHealthierPlanet

Hey! BIPOC, Hana is an amazing fellow Doula and Childbirth Educator that’s teaching a Childbirth Prep class just for us! Please email [email protected] for registration and more information! #Repost @philadoula with @make_repost BIPOC-only Online Childbirth Preparation Series starting in October! As a woman of color, I have found BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) spaces nourishing and essential to my well-being. I wanted to hold this kind of space for pregnant... and expectant people as they prepare for birth and parenthood. Please share this class with any of your friends and family who may be interested! This class will be offered on a sliding scale with scholarships available because, frankly, you deserve a break! Supportive and evidenced-based childbirth preparation should be accessible to all. Period. Since this class is online and held from 1-3pm EST on Saturdays, it is available to people in multiple time zones, California to New York. You are welcome here. Register by messaging me or emailing [email protected]. My teaching background: I LOVE teaching about birth! It’s one of my favorite parts of birthwork for a number of reasons: If you know your options, you can make the choices you want for YOUR birth. If you know your body, you can engage your fears around pain. If you are surrounded by a community or class who supports you, you’ll know deep down that you are not alone through this birthing journey. I have been teaching childbirth preparation classes at Lifecycle Womancare, Pennsylvania Hospital, and privately for 7 years. #bipoconlychildbirthclass #bipocbirth #birthingwhilebrown #birthingwhileblack #virtualbirthclass #knowledgeispower #empoweredbirth #childbirtheducation #childbirthpreparation #evidencedbasedbirth #thisisyourbirth #knowyouroptions #childbirth #pregnancy #doulaofcolor

This is gonna be so cool! Happening tomorrow!!

I’ve been quiet on here lately. To be completely honest, the pandemic has been harder on me than I’ve let on. . . . This morning, during a Nurse Doula Collaborative Zoom meeting, someone mentioned how in this moment she just doesn’t feel like giving. ... . . . These words rung loud through my entire body. YES! That’s it! . . . The weight of this world has been incredibly heavy. And often these days, I, too have been left feeling I have nothing left to give. . . . My partner and I had a conversation a couple weeks ago and I explained to him that everything that’s happening right now is like a long labor and we are in the process of being re-born. . . . . . Naturally, thinking of this process as a birth has helped me make sense of it all. And my job as a birthworker will always be to protect the process of labor. To keep things calm, safe, and sacred. . . . So just like I teach my students- Nourish and hydrate. Move your body, as needed Speak affirmations to yourself and those around you. You’re doing wonderful. Vocalize as needed. If you need to scream, do it. If you want to moan, grunt or bellow, let it out. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what you need. Follow your own urges. Rely heavily on your support team. . . . I encourage you all to not only be your own doula through this laboring process, but be a doula to those you love as well. We are all laboring together. Let’s protect, uplift, and support each other as best as we can, so that this rebirth of the world can be empowering and divine for us all. See more

Look at this rockstar!!

This baby came with something to say this morning!!! #HomeBirth #UnassistedBirth

Celebrate Black Midwives!!

As we begin to navigate life in the Green Phase in Pennsylvania, we want to take a moment to thank you, our clients and friends, for your cooperation, understan...ding, and ongoing support of Lifecycle WomanCare. We have collectively been treading through uncertain waters for the past several months, and while the challenges have seemed daunting at times, we are proud to say that LWC’s COVID-19 policies have been working. With that being said, we know many of you are wondering how things have changed since we entered the Green Phase. The short answer is that LWC will continue to proceed cautiously. It’s important to remember that the pandemic is not over yet. Our top priority remains the same: to ensure the continued safety of our clients and staff. Please visit our website review our most recent updates and answers to a few frequently asked questions: https://lifecyclewomancare.org/letter-regarding-covid-19/ #lifecyclewomancare #lwc #birthcenter #covid19 #coronavirus #compassionatecare #midwiferymodelofcare #midwifery #midwifesupport #midwiferyforall #reproductivecare #birth #newborn #postpartum #lactation #lactationsupport #breastfeedingsupprt #breastfeeding #pregnancy #pregnant #pregnantinphilly #pregnantonthemainline #phillybirth #mainlinebirth #brynmawr #brynmawrpa #newparent #newparentsupport #supportlwc