There has been a recent push for more Black doulas since the challenges of Black women in childbirth have become more publicized. For UK doula, birth educator and advocate, Mars Lord, the current situation necessitates more than a representation of Black women working in birth culture, it requires knowledge of birth based on our historical contexts. It requires our voices to be raised against microaggressions that have the potential to derail important conversations and thwart our efforts toward progress for Black women. Mars would say that it is time to let go of the sweetness and instead realize that we are in a war to save our lives. While there are many differences based on our locations within western culture, ultimately, Black women are fighting the same fight in the U.S. and the UK. ​

Topics discussed:

• From Mars Chocolate to Mars Goddess of War
• The urgency of birth work among Black women
• The birth of a Birth Keeper and a Birth Activist
• Becoming the go-to person in your family and community for birth
• Recognizing the universal challenges of a medical system not created to serve you
• The international increasing maternal mortality rates among Black women
• The importance of "acknowledging the differences" in birth
• DOULA ---> SLAVE in the Greek
• U.S. influences in the UK
• Why saving Black women means more than training Black doulas
• How western culture predisposes Black women to birth challenges
• Why focusing on Black women is vital to survival
• Helping others sit with their discomfort about Black women's birth challenges 
• Owning your anger as Black women
• Being "African" in the Diaspora
• The appropriateness of "exclusive spaces" for Black women in birth culture
• The National Health Service in the UK and how it affects birthing mothers
• Encouraging white women to seek out and embrace the remnants of the indigenous culture in their histories
• Cultural Competency vs Cultural Safety

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

Phone: +44 07767348462
Email: abueladoula@gmail.com
Website: ​https://MarsLord.co.uk/
Training Website: ​https://AbuelaDoulas.com/
FB Page: Doula Mars Lord
​Training FB Page: Abuela Doula
LinkedIn: ​Mars Lord
​Instagram: @AbuelaDoula
​Twitter:Abuela Doulas

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

Topics discussed:

• Homeschooling and living outside of the norm
• Deciding "no contraception"
• Birthing at the hospital... the first time
• Considering homebirth
• Homebirth experiences
• Birthing with her daughter in the room
• Encouraging Black women to return to homebirth
• Delivering babies vs Birthing babies
• Birthing over 40 and returning to hospital birth
• The power of understanding birth and your body
• Directing birth at the hospital... making requests during labor
• Being prepared for the WORK of labor
• Remaining empowered in your hospital birth environment
• Shifting paradigms about birth
• Gifting our daughters with birth
• Being discouraged in birth work
• Challenging "allies" of Black women in birth culture

DeLynn shared these words of gratitude:

"Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for my Midwife Lynda Hitchcock that transitioned (passed away) in 2007. I birthed 3 out of 10 of my children with her in the comfort of my home. I loved every moment of my home birth experiences.

Lynda was the first woman to teach me that giving birth to my baby WAS NOT A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. She taught me that most women would have safe and beautiful birthing experiences if the mother was in a preferred, comfortable, and supportive environment.

Get in touch with DeLynn Hudson:

LinkedIn: DeLynn Hudson
Facebook: DeLynn Hudson
Email: dyhudson@gmail.com
​Phone: +1 (219) 292-2666