Should You Trust A Doula That Doesn't Have Kids?

Hi there!

Today, I wanted to shed light on a subject that crossed my mind a bit, before I considered becoming a doula. Will people trust my expertise, even though I don’t have kids myself? This was a minor, but still reasonable concern. I searched around the web, hoping that I wasn’t the alone in this matter. But then I snapped back into reality. I don’t need to be a mother to become a doula. End of research.

Now, let’s get into why you should look for several important things when picking a doula, but whether or not they have kids isn’t one of them. At the simplest level, your doula is there to provide support, in many different ways. So something that would be really important is figuring out whether or not you have an organic connection with your doula; are they someone you feel safe with, someone who will hear you out and help you navigate your birth experience. I don’t doubt that it is appealing to know that your doula has been through what you are experiencing but that’s not always the case. There are people who have had what they may have considered ‘easy’ pregnancies and then there are those who have suffered through the entire experience and wish to never do it again. Neither situation makes the other more or less qualified to best help you, based on those factors alone.

However, you can focus instead on finding a doula who has a passion for the work. Someone who is unbiased and can empathize with what you are going through in a way that allows them to provide helpful and appropriate suggestions/solutions to help make your experience as comfortable and safe as possible. Surgeons put people under the knife every day and are never expected to have been on the receiving end to be in this position. We simply trust them based on our consultations with them, their training and their confidence displayed to us. Most of the time we don’t even question them at all. While being a mother definitely comes with perks and some personal knowledge from experience, just know that there are some really incredible human beings who are committed to continue making advancements in the maternal health fight, who do not have children or motherhood to directly relate to ;-)

With love,

xoMaïson d’Om

History of Institutional Racism in Medicine

Racism is an uncomfortable topic for many of us to candidly discuss, especially amongst our non-Black friends. We get it, it is uncomfortable. But these discussions are necessary and integral to healing and moving forward to true progress and health equity. Our goal is never to further deepen the pains of unhealed wounds or divide humanity even more; but all healing and progress first begins with recognition of the problem.

So let’s get started with the history of the Black woman’s experience with medicine in the United States. The advancements in gynecology were founded upon the obstetrical violence inflicted upon Black women. I stumbled across a short documentary exploring this very subject. I am sharing the film with my readers in case anyone may be interested. We could attempt to summarize highlights from the film but seriously, it’s short and we highly recommend you take a look for yourself.

But what does this have to do with today? Well, if you watched the video, you would have your answer. History repeats itself. We live in a largely politically correct society and thus, it can often feel like things have changed and slavery is a thing of the past. But data tells a different story. The disparities between Black women and White women in infant mortality, maternal mortality and life expectancy, are all the proof you need. Historical and institutional racism doesn't just disappear into thin air. These attitudes are often buried deep within the subconscious of our doctors, lawyers, police officers, elected officials, etc. We encourage our readers to have these discussions among close friends and families as it pertains to the way we navigate our relationships and careers.

With love,

xoxo Maïson d’Om

Introducing.....

Hello world!

I would like to extend a warm Bonjour and welcome to all for stopping by and taking the time to get to know Maïson d’Om. We are about empowered minds & bodies, as we believe that these things are vital to our well being and our families. Here, we promise to keep you abreast of important knowledge pertaining to your maternal health and general wellness concerns. We understand that in a ever-changing world, it is imperative that we be able to adapt and at times, be open to changing our perceptions. We will work together to be a more informed and empowered community. Please know that we would appreciate any pertinent information from our Maïson d’Om family as well, so don’t hesitate to share in our comments section.

We look forward to interacting with each and everyone of you. Until next time, lead with purpose and peace.

With love,

xoxo Maïson d’Om