What's a Doula |Black Doulas and Midwives near me in NYC

Traditionally all Doulas and Midwives that birthed babies in America were Black women, over time the “business of birthing” gave way to whitewashing and monetization. Now it’s harder and harder to find a Black birth worker. The care of a Midwife for a low-risk birthing human greatly reduces the risk of complications in pregnancy and delivery.

I didn’t hire a doula at my first birth, I thought I couldn’t afford one and I was also really afraid of having any more than the one stranger that ABSOLUTLEY HAD to see my vagina, get a peek at it. My midwife knowledgeable as ever showed up to my birth with a doula in tow. I don’t recall the name of that doula or even her face but her presence deeply changed me and made me the advocate for doulas that I am today.

What’s a Doula?

Parenting a newborn is like being drunk at 3 am in your 20’s in a club, where you meet the love of your life, and never sleep again because you don’t want to miss a moment with them. On the rare occasion, you try to get some shut-eye your loud best friend is committed to never letting you sleep… Ever

A birth plan is like wanting to celebrate, planning the best night of your life. All the details of what you’re going to wear and eat and knowing that if you’re going to drink top-shelf liquor you’re going to get inebriated. Hiring a doula is like hiring a designated driver, bodyguard, and bathroom best friend (all rolled into one) for this best night ever before you leave the house. They advocate for the best service on your night out and ensure you get home safely with all your belongings, as cute as possible.

Black Doulas near me in NYC

Barbara Verneus | Is a doula with heaps of training that is studying to be a midwife. She shadowed my midwife at my most recent birth and literally changed the dynamic of my entire pregnancy. She was so kind and gentle and caring, taking special care in remembering my needs.

Barbara Verneus
Tiny and Brave (click here to support her midwifery education)
tinyandbravedoula@gmail.com
Accepting Clients in 2021

Karyn Ellis | Is a Black doula who specializes in labor birth and postpartum care. She’s a true advocate for women and prides herself in her ability to serve as a sounding board and mediator who gracefully runs interference between birthing humans and hospital personnel. Her postpartum doula care services range from a nursery set up to general tidying while making sure mothers are relaxed on babies and themselves

What I really like about Karyn’s approach to doula services is that they start way before the baby gets there puts special focus on the mental health of not only the birthing person but the entire family unit. She asks

Karyn Ellis
K3rn@gmail.com
Accepting Clients in 2021

Shishi Rose | A birth worker and an activist she does the job of making sure Black birthing humans are supported buy doulas that feel supported

Reggie |A community leader and doula warror

Nativefolkny@gmail.com

Efe Osaren| is another Black woman doula who is also a student midwife, so you know shes committed to maternal care for the long run. shes whats known as a full Spectrum Doula, and provides Reproductive/Birth Justice advocate based in Brooklyn.

Efe Osaren
DoulaChronicles@gmail.com
Only accepting virtual patients for 2021

Latham Thomas | Probably one of the most well known Black doulas and creater of doula training program Mama Glow

Ancient Song Doula | is a Black doula collective that supports and trains doulas. They provide a very comprehensive list of doula services in addition to birth work both near me in NYC and across the river im New Jersey. These doulas offer postpartum care, bereavement support and prison doula services.

In fact, the surprise doula I had at my first birth belonged to Ancient Song.

Ancient song is commited to providing Black and Brown mothers with doula care and offers care on a sliding scale. They are currently offering free full spectrum virtual doula services to low income families.

Ancient Song Doula
admin@ancientsongdoulaservices.com

Black Midwives near me in NYC

Memaniye Cinque | Is a certified nurse-midwife and nutritionist, she birthed my second baby and I couldn’t be happier with the overall care and scope of services.

She often works closely with student midwives so you get double the care and expertise.

I am completely tech-illiterate but if you really like the remote side of care she has a great online portal where you can easily access all your health information. Having all of your midwives information and healt hrecords in one place is always helpful but partivularly helpful for Black birthing women.

Umaiymah Thaim|is a certified nurse-midwife who birthed my first baby the only reason I didn’t use her for my second birth is she was out of New York for the year