I don’t believe in fear mongering as a form of public health messaging, so here are some helpful considerations if you’re pregnant or nursing and concerned about potential impacts of COVID-19. ⁣
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If you are having a hospital birth soon, it could be helpful to check with them to see how COVID-19 protocols may affect your birthing experience (number of visitors, entrance locations, etc.)

I know, there’s a lot going on and things are changing daily but one thing is for certain—you gone get this support! Now more than ever it’s critical to educate yourself, tap into your intuition, and know how to advocate for the best birth experience possible. ⁣
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Many hospitals are restricting visitors and #saferathome protocols may limit in-home prenatal sessions, so I’ll be offering some of my services virtually:⁣

• Virtual birth goal setting;

• Prenatal education sessions (including comfort measures and positions)⁣;

• Labor and birth support; and

• Postpartum support sessions
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Last week, I missed my first birth and I was devastated. ⁣
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I’m naturally an empath and think of myself as a really good problem solver but this was just the perfect storm that I couldn’t make work. ⁣
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Enter the guilt. I felt so bad for not being able to be there (even though we’d already discussed contingency plans since I knew I was traveling close to baby’s due date) and I could feel myself going into a space where I was trying to force something that just wasn’t meant to happen. ⁣
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Then I remembered that, like I tell my mamas, the body already knows what to do. I’m grateful for my friend, sister and fellow doula @vanyacamille and the supportive relationship that we have built over the past few months (thanks @thelola_women!) because there was no hesitation when I asked her to step in to support my laboring mama. Little did she know, she was supporting me as well ✨ ⁣
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There are many times where I think I can do it all alone. Because I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T. Then life happens and I’m humbly reminded otherwise. Doula work can be exhausting and emotional, but building community makes it so so sweet.

Language matters. So often I hear people say "She has postpartum" or "I didn't have postpartum" when they are referring to postpartum depression. The postpartum period typically refers to the first 6 weeks after birth or pregnancy end. You can have postpartum hair loss, postpartum job interviews, or postpartum sex just as much as you can experience postpartum depression.

One of the most common questions that I get is “can I have sex while I’m pregnant?”. The answer is YES—have all the consensual sex your heart desires! (UNLESS you have been diagnosed as a high risk pregnancy and your physician has instructed you to refrain. In which case, explore other safer methods of pleasure!) .
Sex during pregnancy is great for a number of reasons:

• it’s a great bonding tool for you + partner

• it’s a great way to feel sexy and grow confidence in your changing body

• nipple stimulation encourages labor and strengthens contractions

• orgasms release adrenaline which can reduce stress during pregnancy and labor

• the hormone that starts contractions is oxytocin, which is the hormone that is released during orgasms

• if partner is male, semen contains natural prostaglandins that help to soften the cervix, causing it to open

Positions can be tricky as baby + belly grows so be sure to get creative with which ones make you the most comfortable. Laying on your side or on all fours tends to be preferable—use lots of pillows! And don’t trip, your growing baby is protected in the womb and surrounded by shock absorbing amniotic fluid 😉

Yellow milk, golden milk, creamy milk, green tinted milk, watery milk. All milk is different because all babies are different. Our bodies modify the vitamin and nutrient levels in breastmilk (and thus the color, consistency, and even quantity) according to the nutritional and immunological needs of our baby. Aren’t our bodies amazing?! There’s absolutely no need to compare. No matter the color, quantity, or duration, you’re doing great mama! #atldoula #liquidgold #atlantadoula #blackbreastfeeding #doulaofcolor 📷: @paulalopezdroguet

Launching Flora & Fauna has been an extreme lesson in vulnerability, the uncomfortable and scary kind (is there another type?). I decided to create a space where women of color could gather with the idea that we all have vulnerabilities that would be better shared. Because we are all going through something. And connection heals. ⁣
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This was my way of changing just a little piece of the world. We talked and sipped lots of wine. We shared stories about our wombs and reproductive experiences. We cried and laughed. We made new connections and supported other black women. ⁣
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Sometimes we're pushed to do things before we really understand the true why. Me? The woman who has mastered the art of deflecting attention for the sake of caring for others. Put myself and my visions out to the world? How? Why? To heal. To change. To care for self. This first event was so special and I cant wait for the next. ⁣
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Special thank yous to @antylc and @forkeepsbooks for opening her space for us, to my sisters @mellimelatl and @mayatable for showing up and showing out, to @__rita.p for your camera skillssss, to @thisishermarket for contributing custome female-designed gift bags, to @lowdownbrown and @deemingo who surprised me in the flesh and to everyone who was present. I appreciate you all forever.