From Being the Only Black Woman in the Room to Breaking Down Walls in Birth for Black Women

"The knowledge... it's in you. It really is. Do what God has called you to do and do it with excellence... Period. Unburden yourself from the burden of expectation of other people, and whatever box that people have put you in, break the walls down and LIVE!" ~ Nicolle Fletcher

I always tell Nicolle that she is the kind of spirit that I would appreciate learning from. She is one of those sisters that I JUST LOVE! She has such beautiful energy and I have admired Nicolle Fletcher for the birthwork she has been doing in Arkansas for years.

Nicolle Fletcher is a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Dancing for Birth™ Instructor, and a Certified Health Coach. I have watched as she used each of her areas of expertise to improve the birth experiences of women and families. I also noticed when Nicole began to shift her focus toward Black women and began to look for ways to enhance the experiences women of African descent have in birth culture, both those serving mothers and those who are expectant mothers. During our conversation, we discussed what that transition was like for her and how she has adjusted her work toward that end.

Nicolle's shared words of gratitude that were a blessing to me because I was included as a person she shows gratitude toward. Here is what she shared:

"I am most thankful for women like you Dr. Doula! I have attended multiple birth & postpartum doula workshops from DONA trainers, Spinning Babies Workshops, local agencies, experiential networking and a business consultation with Randy Patterson of ProDoula, however my purpose was fully realized after meeting you. You have inspired me to to remember and reclaim birth for Black women and birth workers."

Topics discussed:

• Making the decision to birth unmedicated​
• Becoming acquainted with birth
• Using formal education in doula work
• The benefits of mentorship
• From doula trainings to the birth environment
• Being the "only Black doula..."
• Learning about the birth disparities with Black women
• Being seen as divisive when speaking out
• Making the shift to focus on Black women
• Seeing community in the birth space
• Navigating the "community in the birthing room"
• Preparing birthing mom's support people for labor
• Preparing your children for birth through their birth stories
• Allowing healing to begin for the next generation
• Supporting teenage mothers
• Nurturing Arrows - launching women to their destination through birth mentoring 
• Providing doula mentoring for Black women
• Following the call in your life without fear

Listen to the Podcast:

Here are some ways you can connect to the work Nicolle is doing:

Phone: +1 (501) 291-0064
Email: nurturingarrows@gmail.com
Training Website: ​https://www.NurturingArrowsDoulaCoach.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingarrows/
​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturingarrows/