mitigating disparities

“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.” – Dr. John Kennell

A pregnant woman with tattoos on her side wearing a black bra, standing indoors in front of a backdrop of string lights, with a contemplative expression.
Our Mission
Our Mission

Doulas, Birthworkers, and providers.

The doula's role extends beyond providing physical and emotional support during the perinatal and postpartum period; it involves advocating for inclusive care and addressing systemic disparities in maternal and infant health. 
A lack of Black doulas and providers in general stem from the colonization of birth work. Black doulas continue to face systemic and local discrimination in their communities.
As community doulas, we should strive to shed light on systemic and racial discrimination, the continuous challenges faced by BIPOC doulas and the urgent need to address the issue. 
We must be the catalyst of change. Amplification of BIPOC doulas and providers in our communities, promoting equity, supporting Black owned doula businesses, providing monetary support, and the list continues.
Join our Team
Join our Team
Postpartum Care
Postpartum Care
The Titty Committee
The Titty Committee
Two women lying on a bed, embracing each other. One woman is resting her head on the other's chest with her eyes closed. They appear to be sharing an intimate, comforting moment.
A pregnant woman in black athletic wear sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed and a towel over her shoulders, holding hands with a person lying in front of her. In the background, a child with braids is lying on a sofa, looking down.

D.E.I.

Diversity

As Liberated Birthworkers, we believe that a diverse doula and birthworker profession creates deeper understanding and responsiveness to the unique needs of clients from different backgrounds, cultures, communities, and lived experiences. But also to the unique needs of the people providing the support themselves.
Many birthworkers have had to navigate spaces where they felt othered, misunderstood, tokenized, silenced, or unsafe simply because of who they are, what they look like, how they practice, who they love, what they believe, or where they come from.
And honestly, if that kind of energy exists within the profession itself, it not only harms birthworkers. It has the potential to affect the wellbeing of the families, parents, and vulnerable babies we serve as well.
True community cannot exist in spaces where people do not feel respected, protected, heard, or safe enough to fully be themselves.
We know to be true that birthwork spaces NEED to reflect the communities being served. And we believe birthworkers deserve environments where they do not have to shrink themselves, code switch, or constantly prove their value in order to belong.

Equity

We believe equity in birthwork requires more than simply acknowledging that barriers to care exist. It requires actively working to reduce the harm those barriers create for families every single day.
Financial barriers.
Language barriers.
Transportation barriers.
Medical bias.
Discrimination.
Lack of culturally responsive care.
These realities shape how many families experience pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the healthcare system.
Many birthworkers dedicate themselves to helping families navigate those systems through advocacy, education, resource connection, sliding scale support, and community-centered care.
But too often, the labor of closing those gaps falls heavily on the birthworkers themselves.
Many doulas, especially doulas from marginalized communities, find themselves overextending, undercharging, self-sacrificing, and carrying enormous emotional labor in order to make care more accessible for others.
And truthfully, this results in a tough reality where birth workers are frequently asked to help fix issues in maternal healthcare that are simultaneously impacting their own households, loved ones, physical well-being, and neighborhoods.
Over time, that imbalance creates harm.
A sustainable birthwork profession requires systems, communities, resources, and leadership structures that support birthworkers with the same care, dignity, humanity, and protection that birthworkers are constantly expected to extend to others.


Inclusivity

To achieve true inclusion, proactive efforts must be made to dismantle the barriers and biases that hinder the full engagement and participation of doulas. This necessitates a commitment to address systemic issues within the profession, including discrimination, inequality, and prejudice. By actively confronting and challenging these systemic hurdles, doulas can create a more equitable and inclusive space for all.
Inclusive practices extend beyond the physical environment and delve into the creation of safe and nurturing spaces where doulas can freely express themselves, share their experiences, and have their voices genuinely heard. This involves fostering an atmosphere of open and respectful communication, actively listening to the perspectives and concerns of doulas of color, and wholeheartedly valuing their unique contributions to the profession. By nurturing a culture of inclusivity, doulas are empowered, supported, and motivated to thrive in their roles, fostering a sense of belonging and fulfillment.
By embracing diversity and actively promoting inclusive values, doulas can create a space where clients feel respected, understood, and empowered throughout their birthing journey.