OuttaDeeBox Podcast

Rediscovering Joy in Childbirth: Insights from Influential Doula Uchenna Jones part 2

• Dee Star • Season 5 • Episode 7

Share episode

Send us a text

Discover the transformative role doulas play in supporting single mothers through the prenatal and birthing process. Our latest episode promises invaluable insights into how doulas cultivate a nurturing and informative environment for single mothers, often collaborating with other doulas or the mother's existing support network. We emphasize the importance of personalized care plans and share essential advice for aspiring doulas, from understanding their motivations to managing their workload to prevent burnout. By tuning in, you'll gain practical strategies for enhancing the birthing experience and fostering a supportive community for new mothers.

We also reimagine the healthcare landscape by exploring ancient midwifery practices and the vital contribution of doulas in modern care. Through compelling personal stories, we highlight how continuous, personalized care from doulas can significantly impact families. Our discussion extends to the challenges faced by black birthing people in Madison-Dane County and the urgent need for system-wide transformation. The episode concludes with an inspiring conversation with a dedicated doula from "A Doula Just for You," who shares her approach to providing accessible and community-focused support. Join us for an episode filled with heartfelt discussions and actionable insights to improve maternal care.

Support the show

Speaker 1:

How do you support single mothers? It has to be such a different process of care when you're talking about having a couple and you're supporting that couple, versus having a young mother by herself, you know, with no family. You know what I mean. Like yes, I know you've run into that. How do you do that Again?

Speaker 2:

those prenatal visits are very important. It's very important to have an understanding of what the birthing person knows, what that mother knows and what they need. So I have had the joy of partnering up and teaming up with another doula so we can cover so one doula acts in the role as the support person and I'll be in the role as a doula, or vice versa I'm the support person and then the main doula is doing the caring and providing of the cares and providing the support. Other situations I've cared for birthing people and their moms being there, their sisters, even their boyfriend, even the father of the baby or a new relationship. So it's really important to establish a baseline Like what is the plan, what's going on?

Speaker 2:

here, Exactly, exactly. I don't go in thinking when do I fit Exactly?

Speaker 1:

I'm not trying to take over, I'm just trying to, you know, come in and help, exactly Because that is the job.

Speaker 2:

My job is to fill in the gaps, not override anything, not speak for, advocate for, but empower my mom to speak up, empowering the birthing person to speak up, and if they're not able to speak up, come up with very creative ways to have their needs be met, without me necessarily being the one talking. Sometimes it's the partner, sometimes it's the support person. Okay, when they come in, can you please express what you express with me, what you're seeing, observing or what the birthing person needs that they may not have that support? You know that kind of a thing. So my job is really it's kind of like okay, all right, what's going on, you know, making sure everything is fine. My job is to make sure that the atmosphere is positive. Positive, okay, all right, what's going on? You know, making sure everything is fine. My job is to make sure that the atmosphere is positive, positive, informative, full of love.

Speaker 1:

And you can feel that too, yes yes, you can feel that when you walk into a room, if it's tense or if it's like scared, or if it's okay, this is a safe space, this is a positive space. Or if it's okay, this is a safe space, this is a positive space. Everything that's going on in this room is normal and you're going to see some things and hear some things, but just know we're here for support. Yes, no judgment. Yes, you know what I mean. Yes, you know my doula.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

You know she did a really, really great job, yes, so what advice would you give people that want to become a doula, because I know you teach doulas.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

So you know, what advice or guidance would you offer an aspiring doula who is looking to get into the profession?

Speaker 2:

So, first and foremost, know your why. Remember your why? Because when you show up and you're providing care, sometimes you'll be challenged by it. Sometimes you may have a situation the outcome didn't come out the way, or you and your client, for whatever reason, things didn't go the way as planned and it can be discouraging. But know your why, hold on to your why, be reminded. Surround yourself with other like-minded people.

Speaker 2:

The other thing, too, is in the process of becoming a doula, make sure you're properly trained, because right now doulas are trending and there's so many different types of doulas only because there's so many things you can tack on with it. You have doulas who can do aromatherapy. You have doulas who are herbalists. You have doulas who are like myself I'm a nurse. You have doulas who add a whole bunch of other things full spectrum work, you know so they cover birth and death. I've had the joy of being a nurse, having those experiences, so that's where I got my firsthand training. But there are so many different things that you can do in addition to doula work that can make you so unique Staying up to date, knowing the trends, knowing the people you're caring for, making sure that you are providing a quality of care that's unmatched. You know that's unique to who you are.

Speaker 2:

The other thing is also making sure that your caseload does not burn you out because you're chasing the money. You know it's really important that you're able to devote the time because, like we were talking about earlier, it could take like maybe two to four hours, as if they're rip and roaring in labor and everything's happening. But a lot of times, you know, inductions are on the rise, so moms are in the hospital for almost three days sometimes. That is a long time. So as a doula, you got to have a plan. You got to make sure that your client is getting everything that they need. You're getting what you need. So it's like a balancing act. So making sure that you're able to have that check and balance and then also sometimes surround yourself with other you know, with some other doulas who know you and you know them. Can you come in and help me if?

Speaker 2:

I'm getting in a jam yes, or if I'm going into that 16, 18 hour every now and again I still do like a 24 hour birth. But you know, I've gotten better. I've gotten more skilled at it and also gotten better over the years, educating my client to know what to expect so that I can pace myself Like that book Know what to Expect when You're Expecting Exactly.

Speaker 1:

That's exactly what it is. I don't know how I remembered that Well you probably was reading that book a lot.

Speaker 2:

Chapter by chapter. I know I was when I had my kid, because the interesting thing is, when I became a mom and I was pregnant with my first, it was like all the things I knew kind of went out the window, because it's like I'm in the driver's seat now I'm not in the passenger seat. This is how do I change a diaper. Well, that I knew, because the nursing part helped. But the thing that it's so different when it happens to you versus when you've been providing care to others. But I know for a fact, when my baby was born and I made it through on the other side, I became even more passionate and I was so grateful that I had the support. But that's because I've been giving that support all along the way, so I knew how to get it.

Speaker 1:

So did you have a doula.

Speaker 2:

No, I was my own doula. So here's the interesting thing, I know, I know, I know.

Speaker 1:

You're very talented.

Speaker 2:

What was interesting was but in. But to be honest with you, the visualization I have is I saw all my clients, like it was like the round table, and I can see all their faces making comments right Like yeah you sure, chana, you ain't doing that right, your attitude. So for the first 11 hours of my labor I did everything they told me to do and I didn't progress. And I had to be induced because they were concerned about preeclampsia. Everything was beautiful. So I literally hit the 38th week. My blood pressure started creeping up and also at this time I'm working at the hospital. I'm in labor and delivery. Well, not quite at labor and delivery. I was working on another unit, the oncology unit, so that's really stressful. And you're talking about 12-hour days at least three times a week and sometimes we have to work back to back to back three days in a row.

Speaker 1:

Pregnant.

Speaker 2:

Yes, sometime overtime.

Speaker 1:

Nine months pregnant.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, worked all the way up until the end, wow, and it got really, really hard. But you know your first time, mom, what is rest, what you know? Yeah, the ankles getting a little swollen, and you know it was little, little changes, but the biggest change was that blood pressure and my family practice doc was like no, we're not going to take no chances with you, we're going to get you induced. But they forgot to tell me. So I'm going thinking they're just going to check and monitor my baby. And they said, oh welcome, you're getting induced.

Speaker 2:

And I lost it because my husband was at work. So you know, fast forward, all this. I'm doing everything they tell me to do and I go from fingertip to two. I said, forget this, I'm going to take matters into my own hands. I soaked myself in the tub. I couldn't get the mesoprostol. They gave me one dose. It was, you know, the contractions was a lot, but it wasn't doing anything.

Speaker 2:

I got on Pitocin and I just labored in the tub and I had my husband with me and I was talking to him. I think he got tired and I think his anxiety got the best of him because he couldn't carry the load from me and at one point he was like why don't you get checked? I'm like no, because if they tell me I'm four, I don't know what I'm going to do. And long and behold, I went from two to eight. The nurse didn't even believe it because I had a new resident and she was like I don't believe it, let me check. And then she said by golly, because I was begging her to turn off the Pitocin because it was too intense, and she didn't believe me.

Speaker 2:

I'm a first-time mom. I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have 10 years of experience. And then it was like let's, let's rupture you. And I'm like no, I did everything y'all wanted me to do. I'm okay, give me my drugs. So I got my IV medicine and it was like no, but the baby could come real soon. I said look, I've been in labor for quite some time and nothing has happened. I'm at 14 now. What are you talking about? And it was awesome because the medicine was just enough to take. My water broke on its own and when it broke I was crowning Less than 30 minutes of pushing. He was there.

Speaker 1:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

And that was the most empowering thing. I was like you can't tell me anything. I got to feel my baby move. My baby was working hard, just like mommy was working hard. So when I got that personal data for myself, I can share that with the birthing person, I can share that with the mothers that I'm caring for, that your baby's also trying to come out too and y'all work together at some point, and that you're going to experience pain. But I'm going to explain to you what the pain is. Pain is progress. Certain types of pain is progress. I'm going to empower you with tools and you're going to give me the information to let me know what you're feeling, and we're going to figure out what's the best position.

Speaker 1:

So can you discuss the importance of representation and diversity within the doula community and how it impacts the experiences of birthing individuals?

Speaker 2:

First and foremost, representation matters. When I see my client, my patient, who looks like me, it's like unspoken common language that unifies us, just like when you see two black dudes you know they, what's up that head nod, right, you won't get that with your white counterpart or another person from another culture. You're not going to get that. It's unique to black culture, right. And I love when I see the patients that I care for that look like me. You could see the fear lesson oh, she's here to help me. Or when, I you know, get assigned. I have people in the community that refer and I heard about you, you know, uchena, I also go by Nurse Uno. I heard about you, nurse Uno, and I heard about you. You know, uchena, I also go by Nurse Uno. I heard about you, nurse Uno, and I know you're a doula. Can you help me? And just knowing that I can do that for them because I look like them, there's a whole lot of conversation I don't need to have with them because we have common, you know.

Speaker 1:

Commonalities Right.

Speaker 2:

And when we break bread it's even more so. And that peace of mind of having somebody that may have shared experiences is enough to reduce the anxiety and the tension that they go on to have a great birth experience, because why Somebody that looks like me care about me, somebody that knows what I'm feeling? They're feeling it too and we're in it together.

Speaker 1:

That knows what I'm feeling, they're feeling it too, and we're in it together. So, looking ahead, what changes or improvements would you like to see within the birthing and doula community, particularly concerning inclusivity and equity?

Speaker 2:

I would like to see more collaboration If we're going to change the way birthing people are treated at the bedside. This term called implicit bias meaning I have inherent things that I know and don't know that causes me to maltreat people that don't look like me or may not have the same economic status like me or didn't have a similar upbringing like me. It has to stop Because at the end of the day, that's a heartbeat that's beating and last time I checked you got a heartbeat. Last time I checked, your blood pulsates just like that person's blood pulsates. Even though the heart rate might be different, it's still pulsating and we bleed red. How is it that the color of a person's skin determines the kind of care that they get? But when anybody who is drawn to health care, we're all trained to help. So how do we turn around as the healthcare professionals and now stop caring or start judging or start maltreating? So we need to see the value in all fields.

Speaker 2:

Midwifery, because I'm in midwifery school. The thing that blew my mind. Midwifery is ancient medicine. These healthcare systems are new. Check it Midwives were the first doctors in a community. Do we have them like we did then? No, we got all these doctors. We got all these nurses. We got all these health professions running around here saying that they're giving good care, but yet bodies are still dying, people are still being maltreated, and no one is targeting that issue.

Speaker 2:

We have to as I'm a health care professional because I joined in on the fight. We have to check our biases. We have to recognize that we have them for a reason. We have to educate ourselves and we have to come back into the space saying you know what? I came into the space to make a difference, not to cause divide, but bring some unification. And yes, it's not going to be easy, but over time it will get better. We have people in the community who are joining in on the fight, trying to help, but there's knowledge gaps. So we got some education. That needs to go on. We need to make sure that the people who are tied to the work are adequately paid. Most doulas. I talked about 27 hours of labor support. We're not talking about the hours of prenatal visits. The late night calls the postpartum. Can you come over and help me with lactation? There's so much that we didn't talk about D-Star.

Speaker 1:

I know because, um, I did take advantage. Well, my wife and I took advantage of those services when we had a doula. Um, it was more than just, you know, your regular checkups. You know it's actually more checkups with a doula than it is with a regular doctor and it's way more personable.

Speaker 1:

You know they're either coming to your house or you're going to their house and you sit down and you, you know it's more about how are you doing mentally Exactly. You know so the doctor they're going to do, you know their checks and after that they might ask you a little bit of something, but you know they'll send you down the road and then you're going to have to wait for about an hour. When you get there, you know, but with a doula it's it's all about how are you doing, how are you doing? You know they actually like ask the man, like how are you doing? How are you feeling? Um, are you guys? You know getting along and you know how you know getting along and you know how was you know how was the baby and how was the kids, how was the house, how was your life?

Speaker 2:

You know like you get really really, really personable and it just helps when it is time to go through that process that there's trust built, there's a familiarity, and it just makes the process way more smooth yes, and the beautiful part about it is, as a doula, you become a part of the life, absolutely of the family, and I have clients who have done births years ago and I still get pictures, you know, or or to just say, like that's my baby that's our baby.

Speaker 1:

Yes, it's our baby.

Speaker 2:

Yes, it's our baby. Look at our baby. I don't know how many birthday parties, baby showers, all the things you could go to one every day if you wanted to.

Speaker 1:

If you actually accepted all of the invitations.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 2:

Three years plus deep, trying to meet all of them. But the thing about all of it is it's a beautiful thing, it's a sacred thing, because I wasn't there when the baby was made, but I get to be at their birthday party the very first I call. I feel like doulas are like quiet intruders. You know we're there, you know we're celebrating, we're ushering in this next generation. I don't take it lightly and I am very protective over that mother and I want that mother to know how much of an honor it is that they invited me into that space. You know, and it needs to be protected.

Speaker 2:

You know, and it has long lasting consequences. You even talked about the gentleman you had on your show, how it impacted him and, and, and, knowing his birth story, it impacted him and and, and, knowing his birth story, how he came, he repeated a cycle, not knowing because of what he found out about himself. So it's like you know, there's so much healing that can take place when things are done in such a dignified manner, recognizing the shortcomings, doing what we can. We don't have enough people in healthcare that look like the people that they serve in the community, so doulas create a unique space where we can train people, have people that look like the community that they want to serve to be in that space, while we're still working on training nurses and doctors that look like the communities that they want to serve.

Speaker 1:

So, Uchenna, what's next for you?

Speaker 2:

What's next? Man? I can't even begin to piece it all together, but I am excited that in a very little while and I don't want to give timelines just yet because you know I got to get through the process but I'm so excited and I look forward to being a provider. I've been in the community, I've been a nurse for over 14 years. I love the role, the different roles that I've been given in my career as a nurse at bedside. Now as a nurse in the community in partnership with United Way, really seeing the same issue but from a whole different lens, a whole different angle, and actually being at the table strategizing, figuring out how can we solve this problem.

Speaker 2:

Because one of the things that I want to say while I have the mic and thank you, d-star, for giving me the mic is in Madison-Dane County in particular, there's 600, a little over 600 births by black birthing people. There is enough money in Madison to transform 600 black birthing people. And the challenge that I am going to pose on the health systems, on doulas, on nurses, obgyns, family practice, everybody who's connected to the work which side are you on? Are you a gatekeeper or are you a guardian? Are you a gatekeeper or are you a guardian?

Speaker 1:

So how do people get in contact with you, how do they acquire your services?

Speaker 2:

If you know somebody that know me, that's a great place. No, I'm in the process of working on. I have a Facebook page called a doula just for you. That's the name of my business Cause that's exactly what I am. I'm a doula just for you and, feel free, you can email me at a doula just for you, F? O? R for the four you at gmailcom. I work at United way, Dane County. You can reach out there too. I would like to think I'm easily accessible. I am very involved in the community. There's so many ways to reach out. I'm on Facebook, Instagram I don't know about all the other stuff. I'm still trying to navigate some systems there and social media different types of social media, I should say, but it's not hard.

Speaker 1:

Well, Uchena, I really appreciate you for stopping by the podcast today.

Speaker 2:

Thank you for having me D-Star, it's been an honor no-transcript.

People on this episode

Head Shot

Dee Star

Host