Birth Doula who works in Black Maternal Health through LEAD with Jennifer McLean - S7 E55

-  I am not a parent, but  I am a DONA International certified Birth Doula working in North Carolina

- I did not learn about what a doula was until the age of 26 years old in graduate school. Once I learned about the field, it instantly clicked for me. I've always been fascinated with birth but never wanted to be a nurse or doctor.

- I had some fears around becoming a labor support doula and not having gone through childbirth but my training reassured me that I was able to do the job

- I learned of the Alliance of Black Doulas for Black Mamas (which was rebranded to LEADDoula) through an email listserv that a friend sent me, because she knew I wanted to be doula

- ABDBM or LEAD was strictly for Black women who wanted to become doulas, and was focused on serving black birthing people and their families

- It was a 6 week program with culturally tailored education, included all required DONA International training to become certified, and afterwards, we were required to serve as doula for at least 3 births to be eligible for DONA certification 

- Between the program and my own clients, I've had 13 births

- Fun fact: My first birth was a cesarean section 

- I love serving as a birth doula because of the relationships I have built with the moms and families I've served. Being with a woman at her most intimate and vulnerable time of childbirth is such a special gift

FIND HER HERE:linkedin.com/in/jnmclean3