To honor Maternal and Child Health Month and Black Maternal Health week (April 11-18) we hear from birth worker Nubia Jones. Nubia is the founder of DoulaViva Births, a doula collective, and she is a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, parent educator and breastfeeding counselor. She is also a mother of five! Her journey supporting women and families began in 2000 so she has been in this field for over 20 years. After birthing with midwives, she decided to develop a working relationship at the birth center where her children were born. At this free-standing birth center, Nubia served on the board of directors and led support groups for the expectant families and breastfeeding moms. In 2012, Nubia’s career as a doula took off as she volunteered her services for many families in her hometown, Washington, DC. In 2015, her family relocated and she began serving a diverse population throughout New York and New Jersey where she is currently practicing.
Nubia and I have a special relationship because she supported me as a doula before during and after the births of both of my children. Because of her presence I felt safe, informed, and empowered as I journeyed through labor and delivery and navigated the rollercoaster of postpartum life. It was an incredible gift to have such positive birth experiences and one that I do not take for granted. It is a tragic fact that in the US, the maternal mortality rate is far higher than other wealthy countries.
Last week, April 11-18, the Biden/Harris Administration published a “Proclamation on Black Maternal Health Week” saying (among many other things), “Ensuring that all women have equitable access to health care before, during, and after pregnancy is essential.” I couldn’t agree more. This is where doulas come in as educators and as advocates for families before during and after birth. Listen to this interview with Nubia Jones to hear more about why and how birth workers are essential!