Dr. Doula's Services
UMDLEZANE (NEW MOM) RENEWAL SESSION & BELLY WRAPPING
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. 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 young lady sent to look after the mother, called umzanyana, and 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 others like traditional cultures, these roles that people played within the community were reminders of UBUNTU - I am because we are - and allowed every person to feel purposeful and like contributors to the community by looking for ways that hey could contribute so that everyone helped each other.
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. 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 young lady sent to look after the mother, called umzanyana, and 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 others like traditional cultures, these roles that people played within the community were reminders of UBUNTU - I am because we are - and allowed every person to feel purposeful and like contributors to the community by looking for ways that hey could contribute so that everyone helped each other.
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Umdlezane Renewal Sessions involve a Postpartum Session to include:
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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 the new mother. New Mom Umdlezane Renewal Sessions are available for abadlezane (new mothers) in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
“10 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIRTH"
For pregnant women, fathers/partners, support people and those who feel 'called' to the childbearing year
For pregnant women, fathers/partners, support people and those who feel 'called' to the childbearing year
10 THINGS 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 represent a context that acknowledges women of African descent and diverse cultures strong birth traditions within U.S. culture. General topics covered in “10 Things Every Woman Should Know about Birth” are:
- From Back Then to the Here and Now
- The Medical Side of Birth
- Invisioning Your Birth
- Integrating Traditions
- The Ultimate Mommy/Baby/Daddy Bonding
SANKOFA BIRTH GATHERINGS
For pregnant mothers and their partners, close family and friends preparing to support birthing mothers throughout the childbearing year.
Whether deciding to host an exclusive gathering for pregnant moms, a get-together for support people, or a combination of birthing parents and their partners, a Sankofa Birth Gathering is sure to leave all who participate better prepared for birth and confident in their abilities to manage the childbearing year.
These gatherings involve:
Sankofa Birth Gatherings are available for individuals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. They accommodate up to 10 people and last for approximately 3-4 hours.
For pregnant mothers and their partners, close family and friends preparing to support birthing mothers throughout the childbearing year.
Whether deciding to host an exclusive gathering for pregnant moms, a get-together for support people, or a combination of birthing parents and their partners, a Sankofa Birth Gathering is sure to leave all who participate better prepared for birth and confident in their abilities to manage the childbearing year.
These gatherings involve:
- Topics from “10 Things Every African American Woman should know about Birth”
- Labor Management Practice
- Body Awareness & Skill Building Exercises for Labor
- Ways to support spiritual, mental, emotional and physical preparations for birth
- Practice with using Sankofa Wraps for pregnancy & postpartum care
Sankofa Birth Gatherings are available for individuals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. They accommodate up to 10 people and last for approximately 3-4 hours.
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"SANKOFA WAYS" PRIVATE MENTORING WORKSHOP
In person mentoring in postpartum practices As mentioned in the description of the Umdlezane Renewal Session, in traditional cultures, women would not be left to manage after birth alone. 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, when women are most vulnerable. "Sankofa Ways" Mentoring Workshop involves practices that Dr. Doula includes in the New Mom Renewal Session. The support person private mentoring session where postpartum techniques of laying on hands, body repositioning, belly wrapping, front carrying and rear carrying are taught using various methods and practiced in depth. The mentoring session is approached from a mind/soul/body/spirit perspective and Dr. Doula facilitates an environment that encourages participants to incorporate their own unique gifts, skills and expertise into their work. |
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Dr. Doula travels to you to host these private workshops which last 3-4 hours. Travel is included in the cost for those living in the South Suburbs of Chicago. Additional travel charges apply to those outside of the South Suburbs of Chicago based on distance.
Sankofa Birth Ambassadors receive a 50% discount on the "Sankofa Ways" Private Mentoring Workshop.
The Sankofa Wrap/Carrier and Nguni "Imbeleko" Carrier is discounted 50% for participants desiring to purchase them for the "Sankofa Ways" Mentoring Workshop.
Sankofa Birth Ambassadors receive a 50% discount on the "Sankofa Ways" Private Mentoring Workshop.
The Sankofa Wrap/Carrier and Nguni "Imbeleko" Carrier is discounted 50% for participants desiring to purchase them for the "Sankofa Ways" Mentoring Workshop.
"SANKOFA" BIRTH AMBASSADOR WORKSHOPS
BEFORE THERE WERE DOULAS, there were mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends...
BEFORE THERE WERE DOULAS, there were mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends...
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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.
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