Birth HERstory Blog
Celebrating the HERstory of Black women in BIRTH in the 21st Century
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 Hi again! Today, I want to share a bit about how birthwork has influenced the other areas of my life. I think it is important to share how it has transformed the way I see myself as a WOMBman because otherwise you may not see how all these areas like Considering the Heavens and WeVibe WeFit flow with each other. When I committed to birthwork, things were a bit different than they are right now. Often, I was the only Black woman in a group of birthworkers and sometimes the only one at trainings. We were still trying to convince the majority culture that as Black women we were having unique experiences that should be addressed and we were being told that it was better to focus on our shared problems rather than focus on any specific group’s issues.
After some time of trying to fit in and waiting for our issues to be addressed in the midst of broader issues, I began to encounter more Black doulas, who like me, were tired of waiting for permission to focus on the greatest concerns we found regarding Black women in birth culture. At a certain point, we embraced the notion that #WeSaveOurselves… that #IAmTheAnswer. I was the first person that I knew that used these hashtags and I was excited when I saw others begin to use them, too. So many Black women began to #AnswerTheCall to birthwork. It was wonderful. It was as if we had gone from famine to feast. There were Black women of all ages, educational backgrounds and socioeconomic status that were seeking to become birth workers and SANKOFA - “go back and fetch what has been forgotten”. The more Black women looked back, the more they saw our rich cultural history. It was no longer okay to exclude us from the history of birth in the United States, when we had been THE BIRTH KEEPERS up until recent decades. I spoke about it HERE. Anyway, the more Black women answered the call to birth work as doulas, lactation consultants, midwives, etc., the more I began to notice how support was needed in a different way. Black women were moving into birthwork to save themselves, but they were not prepared for birth culture. They had come to birthwork with rose colored glasses, but reality was daunting for them. Along with not having mentorship be a focus in birthwork, they also came to understand that there were only a few Black midwives in the U.S. compared to what had been 60 or 70 years ago when most Black women would have birthed with Black midwives. Some Black women took a more assertive approach and began to train and study to be midwives. As all of these changes were happening, I felt a shift happen in my focus. I knew that I could be a solution for those seeking mentorship and guidance as they sought to navigate birth culture. And I also knew that unless Black families were reintroduced to some our traditional ways of caring for WOMBmen during the childbearing year, the emerging Black midwives would struggle to be effective in their work. So I developed a few opportunities for Daughters of the African Diaspora to equip themselves and position themselves more effectively in birth culture, and they are my 50 offerings for today. Take a look at ALL OF THE “CELEBRATE 50” OFFERINGS with discount codes. I have highlighted a few below. Sankofa BIrth Ambassador Mentoring is an opportunity to receive training as a birthworker and also mentorship. You can check out two Sankofa Birth Ambassadors I am extremely proud of HERE and HERE. I am offering a $50 DISCOUNT for new SBA Mentees for my birthday. I also offer general Sankofa Birthworker Mentoring for those who might feel that they need additional one-on-one support, even after training with various organizations. I truly love supporting birth workers in this way and being there as they establish themselves in this work. Here is what Shanalynn Davis, Founder of Gifted Hands International had to say: “You have had such an influence in the way I approach birthwork from learning to dismantle the savior complex that majority culture put on this position and recognizing who I am and how I fit into a greater design. I went from going into birthwork because I was interested in health care and wanted to help birthing people, to realizing that I never really had a choice in a matter and that I was answering a call that was sent out way before I got here. That I am tapping into something way bigger than myself! YOU help me see that and it has changed the way I teach others to approach this work. I am sooo grateful and look forward to continuing to grow under your tutelage!” Are you a birthworker who needs support as you are seeking to support others? Consider whether this mentoring opportunity might serve you. You can begin your Sankofa Birthworker Mentoring journey with me, Dr. Doula, for $50 per month. And for those who understand that birth and postpartum is truly A FAMILY AFFAIR, I offer 10 THINGS… It is for everyone because in order for us to SAVE OURSELVES we need to know the roles we can play in the birthing WOMBman’s life and how we can be of assistance. It is being offered at $50 DISCOUNT right now as a way to serve families. When we catch up again tomorrow, I will tell you how birthwork influenced the spiritual work I do. Thanks for hanging out with me for my birthday week!!! With great expectation, Andrea Little Mason, Ed.D. "Dr. Doula" Doula and Birth Mentor www.DrDoula.com "Reclaim Your Birth Rites" Relationship Strategist www.WeBuildLegacy.com "We Build Legacy"  YAY!!! You are still here! That excites me so much because there is so much I desire to share with you and I really want to make sure I am truly speaking to MY PEOPLE! In these blog posts, I will do what I have not done before. I will share my BIRTH HERstory, which is so appropriate for this time leading up to my 50th birthday. So much has changed in my life over the past year or so leading up to my 50th birthday. Each shift has ushered me into a new and more purposeful era that feels more aligned with how I desire to live over the next portion of my life... This new time of my life that focuses beyond being the mother of four sons and the wife of my best friend of 30 years. This time where I have the option to focus on living my life authentically in a way that feels most real to me and allows me to truly offer my gifts to the world. Physically, I have changed. I cut my locs of 20+ years one year ago. I went from having hair that fell below my waist (I actually sat on it sometimes) to being completely shaven. I did not realize before then how much of my identity and value I had placed in the hair that grew out of my head. I loved that people admired my hair. I really liked the attention it garnered, which in time became a distraction toward my next season, so it was time to do something different. I wrote about the experience HERE.
I also changed my physical address. At the end of October, we moved from our home of 21+ years to another state. I shared about it HERE. AND in place of purchasing another house, we instead purchased a travel trailer… An RV camper. We call her COMFORT. Why? Well, for many reasons, but the greatest reason for me is because of a desire to experience life in a different way than I did over the past 28 years as my husband and I sought to create a very safe, stable and nurturing environment for our four sons. When my husband and I first met, we talked about travel. And that is what we are doing now… Yes, I mean RIGHT NOW. Right now, we are in South Africa. We arrived here a few weeks after we moved and will be here into 2023. And then what after that? Who knows. Crazy, right? I know. But I am enjoying being in South Africa (as usual). And I am really excited because we are here longer than two weeks this time. AND I WILL CELEBRATE MY 50TH BIRTHDAY HERE!!! So much of my passion in birth work grew when I started visiting South Africa almost a decade ago. Actually, so much of every area that I am moving forward in was kindled here:
I LOVE that my shaven head fits in here and is considered beautiful. Since we started traveling, we have taken THOUSANDS of images and videos that we have never shared simply because they felt very personal… I like to say that our times here and during our other travels are sacred, but we have begun to share more of our more personal experiences now. If you would like to follow our journey and learn more about the experiences we have had in different parts of the world, you can find out how to do that HERE. My 50 offer for the day is related to remaining connected to us as we make this transition AND a whole lot more related to YOUR well-being. It is Considering the Heavens Activation that Coach Gene and I are leading each month. Please read more about this amazing offering and consider whether this is a way we can serve you with our gifts. Thanks again for being here to help me bring in my 50 STRONG! We’ll chat more tomorrow. If you prefer not to receive the remainder of these emails, please respond to this email and say: UNSUBSCRIBE With great expectation, Andrea Little Mason, Ed.D. "Dr. Doula" Doula and Birth Mentor www.DrDoula.com "Reclaim Your Birth Rites" Relationship Strategist www.WeBuildLegacy.com "We Build Legacy"  HEY, THERE... YES, YOU! COME CELEBRATE 50 WITH ME!!! December 7 signifies my 50th revolution around our Sun and I feel like I have already lived a few lifetimes. I can hardly believe that I am about to be FIFTY YEARS OLD! 50 YEARS of LESSONS 50 YEARS of LEARNING 50 YEARS of GROWTH 50 YEARS of NEW LEVELS 50 YEARS of EVOLUTION into a new way of experiencing and expressing my life on this plane and in this lifetime. In these blog posts, I will do what I have not done before. I will share my BIRTH HERstory, which is so appropriate for this time leading up to my 50th birthday. I am sharing emails I have sent out this week here on this blog as well.
If you are receiving this email it is because you have connected with me before through Drdoula.com. I believe that I attract people I am assigned to serve in some capacity through my talents, skill sets and expertise. Am I assigned to work with you in some way? Perhaps you don't know yet. Let me share a brief overview of some of what I am up to these days. I continue to be involved in birth culture, however, I am serving more as a mentor to other birth workers and birthing families. It is my pleasure to support and help strengthen those who are supporting birthing WOMBmen, especially Daughters of the African Diaspora. I also serve individuals through Considering the Heavens Consultations. Some years ago I gained insights about myself that helped me see the Creator's plan and purpose for me more clearly simply by considering what the heavens had to say about me. When I saw myself, I felt seen, known and understood. Perhaps I can serve you by helping you see your path, purpose and potential more clearly, too. Finally, this year, I created an app called WeVibe WeFit™ where hubby (Coach Gene) and I offer tools to help individuals navigate their relationships, while sharing insights from our 30 years of friendship and relationship work with individuals, couples and families as Relationship Strategists and Legacy Builders. We have a passion for people who need support living outside of traditional roles. Is that you? If so, I will be sharing how we can support you on your journey in later emails. Over the next few days leading up to my 50th birthday - December 7, 2022 - I will be sharing more about my work and testimonials from those I have worked with. I am also making very special offers to celebrate my 50th birthday that I would love to share with you. EVERYTHING IS ABOUT THE 50! $50 DISCOUNTS 50% DISCOUNTS $50 SESSIONS $50 PER MONTH $50 SINGLE PAY In the meantime, take a look at the 50 YEAR gifts I have for YOU for my birthday and I will chat more tomorrow! With great expectation, Andrea Little Mason, Ed.D. "Dr. Doula" Doula and Birth Mentor www.DrDoula.com "Reclaim Your Birth Rites" Relationship Strategist www.WeBuildLegacy.com "We Build Legacy" |
Dr. DoulaMy work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves Archives
December 2022
CategoriesAll African Women BirthHERstory Black Midwives Black Women Breastfeeding DrDoula Home Birth Postpartum Pregnancy |
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