Dr. Doula Mentoring & Services 

UMDLEZANE (NEW MOM) RENEWAL SESSION
Belly, baby and beyond...

Umdlezane is the isiZulu word for "new mother" and when a woman is umdlezane it is understood that she is in her postpartum period, breastfeeding and in need of certain support. Traditionally, the umdlezane would sit and do nothing, especially while she is still bleeding. Those around her cater to her as one who who needs rest and has completed a major work. For her first birth, she would go back home to her mother who would teach her how to take care of herself and her umntwana (baby). The umdlezane has people that cook for her and bring food to her in her room. She does not worry about cleaning anything. Often there will be a younger or older woman sent to look after the mother, called umzanyana (companion, which is also the word for placenta), to take care of whatever needs she has, including caring for the baby so that she can sleep and allow her body to be fully restored.

​While in modern culture, the umzanyana would be a service that people pay for, like a postpartum doula, in traditional cultures these roles that people played within the community were reminders of UBUNTU. Ubuntu is an isiZulu word meaning I am because we are. Following this principle allowed every person to feel purposeful as contributors to the community by looking for ways that they could contribute so that everyone helped each other. 
Umdlezane Renewal Sessions involve a Postpartum Session to include:​​
  • Assistance with breastfeeding
  • Support for any questions you may have about your birth and the care of your newborn
  • ​Mother pampering with touch & relaxation techniques that aid in postpartum healing and prepare her postpartum body for belly wrapping (about 45 min)
  • Demonstration of how to carry a newborn in the front using the baby wrap​
  • Belly wrapping with demonstration
  • Sankofa Birth Wrap/Carrier included​​
Dr. Doula encourages the new mother to invite one or two individuals to the session that would like to learn ways that they can support her. New Mom Umdlezane Renewal Sessions are available for abadlezane (new mothers) in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. ​
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SANKOFA TRIBE SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS & INTENSIVES
Helping get back to the basics of "building birth legacy" and "re-establishing cultural postpartum rituals"

Umsizi is the isiZulu word for helper. During efforts to establish norms and standards for integrating traditional midwives into the broader culture, umsizi was the word that was chosen to describe some of the people that assist the ababelethisi (midwives). Traditional healers (izangoma) and abalelethisi across South Africa described the work that she and other types of abasizi (helpers) and abazanyane (companions) do. Dr. Doula shares what she has learned about basic expectations of helpers and companions during birth and postpartum through Sankofa Tribe sessions and workshops. Understanding the basic roles and expectations of abasizi and abazanyane during the childbearing year, from an African perspective, is one way to re-establish the indigenous knowledge and practices that have been lost, stolen, forgotten, surrendered & abandoned in the African Diaspora.
SESSION A:
​“10 THINGS"... WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIRTH
​Foundational information for pregnant women, fathers/partners, support people and those who feel 'called' to the childbearing year

​10 THINGS… What Every Woman Should Know About Birth is a one hour, one-on-one video session with Dr. Doula about birth that includes fundamental knowledge that is important for birthing mothers and their support people to know and consider while preparing for birth. It includes information about modern practices and those that acknowledge women of African descent and diverse cultures strong birth traditions within society. 

​General topics covered in “10 Things… What Every Woman Should Know about Birth” are:
  • From Back Then to Here & Now
  • The Medical Side of Birth
  • Envisioning Your Birth
  • Integrating Traditions 
  • ​The Ultimate of Baby Bonding
SESSION B:
​"10 THINGS"... WHAT EVERY HELPER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT POSTPARTUM
Practical guidelines for pregnant mothers, their partners, family and friends desiring to support new mothers during postpartum

TEN THINGS… What Every Helper should Know About Postpartum is a session with Dr. Doula that was derived from the common practices that Dr. Doula has found through her research of African cultures that are common practices, whether in the north, south, east, and west of the continent. These indigenous practices have also been continued throughout the African Diaspora and are foundational to the care of mothers during the childbearing year.

​General topics covered in “10 Things… What Every Helper Should Know about Postpartum” are:
  • Becoming a Helper (Umsizi)
  • Nurturing the New Mom (Umdlezane)
  • Newborn's Needs
  • Basics of Postpartum Nutrition
  • Rites of Passage
"SANKOFA WAYS" MENTORING INTENSIVE
In person mentoring in traditional Birth & Postpartum practices

In traditional, indigenous cultures, women would not be left to manage alone after they give birth. They would be surrounded by women who knew ways that they could support her and restore her as she sought to adjust to her new life with her baby, a time when women are most vulnerable. 

"Sankofa Ways" Mentoring Intensive involves practices that are used in the New Mom Renewal Session. The mentoring session is approached from a mind/soul/body/spirit perspective and Dr. Doula facilitates an environment that encourages abasizi (helpers) and abazanyane (companions) to incorporate their own unique gifts, skills and expertise into their work.

Birth and postpartum techniques practiced during the in-person, hands-on intensive:
  • Birthing Better Techniques
  • ​Laying on Hands/Healing Touch 
  • Body Closing and Alignment 
  • Belly Wrapping
  • Baby Carrying (Front and Back) 
You can begin to "reclaim your birth rites"  and build legacy as a part of the SANKOFA TRIBE with a Video Sessions,  In-Person Workshops, or Hosted Group Intensive.
"SANKOFA" BIRTH AMBASSADOR WORKSHOPS
BEFORE THERE WERE DOULAS, there were mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends...
Sankofa Birth Ambassador Workshop (SBA) is answering a bigger need than only training Black doulas. Sankofa Birth Ambassador workshops were created EQUIP BLACK WOMEN TO BECOME WHAT WE NEED FOR OURSELVES ONCE AGAIN. In order to change our situation, we need Black women to be what we were when we were excluded from institutions. We ALL need to have knowledge and skills so that we can lose the fear that has taken hold of us about birth. We ALL need to be reacquainted with birth, whether it is chosen as a career or not. This virtual workshop introduces individuals to the modern birth world, while honoring traditional, indigenous contributions, and helps you to find the right fit in the big picture of birth work.  

VIRTUAL BIRTH SUPPORT FOR MOMS

PRIVATE VIRTUAL BIRTH MENTORING
​Virtual prenatal support that begins as soon as you know you are pregnant
Beyond basic information, some mothers desire Birth Mentoring and Birth Preparation, but are limited by the number of people allowed in the birthing room. Or mothers might prefer only specific people to be in their birthing environments. Private Virtual Birth Mentoring  undergirds mothers’ and support persons’ efforts to become better equipped for birth, while also allowing them to have a personal resource for information and virtual assistance throughout the childbearing year. For those who may need less support, but desire to be connected to a resource 
Private Virtual Birth Mentoring 
Full Pregnancy/Birth/1 Month Postpartum includes:
  • “10 Things Every Woman Should Know about Birth” Session and Resource Guide
  • Explanations of birth options
  • Referrals to pregnancy and birth resources
  • The birth mentor as a personal resource for birthing mom and partner 
  • Text/email access 
  • One scheduled 30 min phone call each week
  • One scheduled 30 min video call each month
  • ​Phone access during labor for support people and birthing mom​
Private Virtual Birth Consulting
Includes:
  • “10 Things Every Woman Should Know about Birth” Session and Session Guide
  • Email access 
  • One scheduled 30 min phone call per week
  • Phone access during labor for support people and birthing mom​

FOR BIRTH WORKERS 

PRIVATE VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS 
Are you a birthworker challenged about how to navigate modern birth culture and looking for support, encouragement and mentorship as you seek to provide support for birthing families. Dr. Doula provides 50 minute private consultations by phone or video call for birth workers. She would love to connect with you.
Dr. Andrea Little Mason (Dr. Doula) offers transforming  presentations at workshops and conferences. You can arrange to have her speak at your next event by clicking the button below to inquire.