Before I knew I’d be a doula, I was a young expectant mom without a clue how to advocate for myself or navigate the medical system. I endured two difficult pregnancies with Hyperemesis Gravidarum—my first ending in a cesarean birth that left me with more questions than answers, and a deep grief I couldn’t yet express. The idea of “preparing” for birth was foreign to me. I thought all of the birth stuff was my provider’s responsibility. I was sadly mistaken. When I became pregnant a few years later, I knew I needed something different. I didn’t want to give birth in a hospital again.

I learned via Twitter that Erykah Badu was a doula, and down the rabbit hole I went. In time, I hired independent midwife-doulas, Deana Kopf and Alexa Richardson (Birthwise Midwifery), for prenatal Care and quit traditional obstetric care altogether. With them, I wasn’t just a number; my new care team was attentive, compassionate, and respectful. When all was said and done, I felt confident and knew that I could trust my support team. I had hoped to give birth at home, but circumstances didn’t allow. I gave birth to my almost 9-pound baby vaginally, without an epidural, supported by Alexa. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that just 10 short years ago, it was near impossible to find a black doula or midwife in my area (this remains true for black midwives). I began my doula journey shortly after, in hopes that other black women (who face the highest maternal mortality rates in the US) would have access to the type of care that I received.

Since attending my first birth in December of 2016, I have supported nearly 100 families through pregnancy, labor, loss, breastfeeding challenges, and the postpartum period. I carried with me the painful comments that I received while nursing my kids (5.5 years combined), and allowed it to empower me to connect with and support other mothers in my community experiencing the same. In 2017, I earned an accreditation in lactation counseling. The history of Black Americans not having the privilege to breastfeed our own babies is not lost on me. I am one of many birth workers dedicated to improving care for parents and their babies.

-Britt LaDoula

Certified Full-Spectrum Doula, PAILAdvocate, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Chidbirth Educator

Specialties: Infant Care, Unmedicated births, Trial of Labor After Cesarean(TOLAC), Cesarean Birth.