Birth workers of Color- Doulas and LCs

Check back as additions will be made to this page whenever appropriate.

​The unfortunate reality of birth in America is that 4 times as many mothers and babies of color lose their lives at some point during or directly after the birthing process than white women. This fact is true even when studies control for other factors such as education and socio-economic class. We can not deny that unconscious bias contributes to these negative outcomes. When I was a young doula in my 20ś I interpreted for hundreds of latina women through their prenatal visits, regular doctor visits, and throughout the birth process. At the same time I was attending births with white women at the same hospital, and the differences I noticed in their care were stark and shocking. While I want to make excuses for well-meaning (and some not even) nurses and health care providers, siting language barriers and ignorance of different cultures our communities represent,  this wouldn´t help anyone. Sometimes giving people the benefit of the doubt might very well be a benefit to them, but at the expense of hurting others. It is the responsibility of the health care system, and especially people who have unearned privilege within that system, to recognize and correct these disparities and our contribution to them, and to work collaboratively with all peoples of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, classes, and levels of ability, listening to them, being open to learn, and willing to change. 

As a fluent Spanish speakers I love to work with latinx people. Even if you speak English, and even if you speak it well it is a great comfort to have someone with you who can understand you as you slip in and out of your first language.

But as a white women who strives to be an ally to peoples of color I understand that being bi-lingual is sometimes not enough. I will never know what it is like to live in the skin of a non-white person. While I have served hundreds of latina women, dozens of Asian women, and many black women, I understand that sometimes the best doula for a woman of color is a DOULA of color. While I would love an opportunity to serve you throughout your pregnancy and birth, if you feel a greater sense of comfort with a birth team that more closely reflects who you are, you can check below for a list of trusted birth workers of color in Eastern MA.

---

Doulas and other Birth-workers of Color

Toni Strong- Everything and Yoga
Toni is a yoga instructor, birth doula, and life coach based in Boston, MA.

Joann Thelusma- Bluebirds Maternity
Joann is a birth doula, maternity concierge, and childbirth educator serving the greater boston area

She-Tara L. Smith- The Birth Co.
​She-Tara is a birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation educator, and childbirth educator in Boston 

Kira Kim IBCLC- North Shore Birth Services
Kira provides in-home lactation support to families in eastern MA