At Birthing Solidarity
I employ a rights-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of birth as both deeply personal and undeniably political.
My approach to accompanying pregnant people is feminist and community-rooted. I act in solidarity with my clients as they move into their own power, make informed decisions and experience pregnancy, abortion and birth on their terms.
Every single one of us has a right to support without stigma, agendas or judgment. We all deserve care that honors complex truths and autonomy.
Community-Rooted
Rights-Based
“Kindness eases change.” -Octavia E. Butler
Services
Birth Companion Care
Childbirth Education
Abortion Companion Care
Sliding Scale Investment + Payment Plans Available
1. What is a doula & why should I hire one?
Birth doulas or birth companions are non-medical professionals trained to support birthing people before, during and immediately after birth. This support takes many forms and is unique to each person, but can mean: sharing information and research to aid in decision-making & self-care during pregnancy; crafting a birth preferences plan to share with medical staff at your birth; consistent emotional & physical support during labor and birth; and advocating for your needs & preferences while in the hospital, and so much more!
Hiring me to accompany you on this journey means you will have someone at your side and in your corner who is devoted specifically to your needs throughout the transformational process of pregnancy and birth! My support is focused on you during a time when you are physically, emotionally & spiritually working very hard to bring a new human earthside. It makes sense to want someone by your side with specialized knowledge and the advocacy skills necessary to make sure your voice is heard throughout the process.
2. What kind of clients do you serve?
I am open to speaking with anyone seeking a birth companion. My practice does center the needs of folks who often experience stigma, discrimination and/or underinformed care in hospital settings. This includes low-income follks, queer and transgender families, people with disabilities, fat folks, and those who have experienced prior medical traumatization. I believe in centering the needs of these communities, I provide better care to all birthing people and their families.
3. Why should someone seek independent childbirth education?
Childbirth education is one of several tools that can inform and empower birthing people and their support teams to give birth on their terms, especially in a hospital setting. Hospitals often offer free or low cost education classes, which can be informative, while also protecting the interests and reputation of the institution. An independent childbirth education course through Birthing Solidarity will offer critical information alongside a commitment to transparency and a lack of agenda on how you ought to labor and give birth. In my courses, we also practice advocacy skills and center your unique concerns and needs for your individual birthing experience.
4. What values & commitments do you bring to birthwork?
Abolition - I work to create abolitionist spaces in birthwork and all repro support. That means no one is disposable, even when we make mistakes or cause harm. I am committed to naming, addressing & repairing harm if/as it occurs, together. This also means I am striving to create shame-free spaces that honor justice and actively work to eradicate racism, classism, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, discrimination against people who use drugs, xenophobia, heterosexism and any oppressive modes of interpreting & controlling one another from the process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum life. I try to replace “shoulds” with curiosity, compassion and the understanding that I do not know your circumstances better than you do.
Perfection is a lie. - There is no advice, method or set of guidelines that will work for everyone, nor guarantee your pregnancy & birth go ‘perfectly.’ Together, we can strive to approach experiences & decision-making with curiosity & compassion, refusing to hold pregnant people to impossible standards of behavior & caution.
Autonomy & consent are everything. - Violations of autonomy form the foundation of this country & this is also true for gynecology as a branch of medicine.
In our work together, my only agenda is to support your wants, needs & vision for your journey. My role is one of accompaniment. Your autonomy will be respected at every step, and I will learn how to advocate as your birthworker on *your* terms. All sharing, learning and touch is based in informed consent. Before offering insights or possible options, I will ask if you’d like to receive them. I communicate the same expectation for my classroom learners.
All questions are welcome. - It is brave to ask for more information or clarity, to seek deeper understanding. Your questions are welcome here, including when they are messy or emerging.