Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanille Bowens.
Hi Shanille, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into birth work started 19 years ago. I was a young mom giving birth for the first time in Chicago. I sought the support of a doula who assisted me during a very long labor. Her support was encouraging and empowering in so many ways. She nurtured and educated me throughout my introduction to parenthood. I became very interested in ways that I, too could help women in labor. I later moved to Memphis, which only had a few doulas at the time but had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. My experience while navigating the healthcare system while pregnant and after losing my husband suddenly in 2017 pushed me into this space.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the main struggles have been fighting for recognition with hospitals and insurance companies and getting doula services approved for payment, especially by Medicaid in Tennessee. Recently, with the help of Healthy and Free Tennessee, a reproductive advocacy organization, doulas were able to submit testimonies before the committee in a legislative session explaining how doulas help families and impact maternal and fetal outcomes in a positive way. This resolution was introduced to recognize doulas as vital community health workers. Studies have shown that with the support of a doula there is an increase in positive birthing experiences, less need for intervention, pain medication and C-Sections, and least likely to die from pregnancy-related complications.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Naturally Nurtured Birth Services?
Naturally Nurtured Birth Services was founded in 2018 out of a need for change in maternal and fetal mortality rates. At the time, Memphis had one of the worst infant mortality rates in the country. Our intention is to provide parents with the education and resources they need to make confident decisions for themselves and their family. At Naturally Nurtured Birth Services, we provide professional support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. We recognize the importance of welcoming a new baby and want to help make the experience as positive as possible. We aim to protect every birthing person’s birth memory by advocating for their wishes and through education. To date, we have supported over 100 births and offer additional services like belly casting, placenta encapsulation, breastmilk jewelry making and lactation counseling.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned that being a doula is definitely about community professionally. Often, doulas need support as we show up for other families and to develop action plans for success in preventing harm and neglect, amplifying our voices and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, the disadvantaged, and those affected by negative outcomes the most. This was the primary reason for establishing Naturally Nurtured Birth Services as a collaborative practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.naturallynurturedbirthservices.com
- Instagram: NaturallyNurturedBirth
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturallynurturedbirth
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/birthnurtured
Image Credits
Jackie Blanch -Images with ball
