How does birth support change families? Why would it change the future?
Here is one family's story...
In a small white house, a nineteen-year-old mother sat surrounded by boxes, running her hands anxiously over her belly. A Birth It Forward doula sat on the couch next to her, reading questions off the intake paperwork and jotting notes as the mother answered.
“Have you ever been assaulted?” The doula asked
“Yes, I’ve been raped 13 times,” the mother answered without flinching. “I grew up in foster care; that sort of thing just happens.” Not long after, a loud crash made both women jump—the baby’s father, a 45-year-old man, and he was not happy to see the mother. Since finding out she was pregnant, he wanted her out. He had a new girlfriend, this one 18, ready to move in as soon as these boxes and their owner disappeared.
“Hey baby,” the mother cooed in adoration to the man. He growled in response and left the room. The mother watched sadly as he walked away.
The Birth It Forward doula worked on a list of the mother’s needs, verifying she had a social worker and was in contact with a housing program. Over the next few months, the doula kept in touch with the mother, answering her questions and connecting her with resources to help her move to a safe place and build her independence and confidence. The baby was born after a 33-hour labor to a very different woman than the one we first met. At the afterbirth visit, called a perinatal, the young mother, comfortably breastfeeding, chatted with her doula about all the amazing things she would do with her daughter. She had found an ally in her ex-boyfriend’s mother, who was delighted to welcome the little family into her clean and stable home.
“I think I realized I don’t need him anymore. I’m a mom now, and I’ve got this.”
Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are critical times in a new family. Changes are happening quickly for the new mom, and your support can make a world of difference.
Many of our new moms qualify for free birth and postpartum doula support through Birth It Forward, and our goal is to always be there with this support. For the brand new first-time mom or the mom who has been through traumatic birth experiences, whatever the story is, Birth It Forward doulas will be there.
It costs Birth It Forward $1,200 per birth. Right now, we have been blessed by a large number of moms needing support. Your gift will make sure they are comforted, encouraged, and advocated for. Birth It Forward Doulas educate new moms, attend difficult appointments, and support mom where she needs them most.
Join us today in supporting these new families! You can be a part of changing maternal healthcare for the moms in your community.