Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy James.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Sure! I had the honor of attending my first birth a few years ago. It was for a younger mother who didn’t have much in the way of a support system at the time. She did amazing and it really opened my eyes to the fact that birth doesn’t have to happen how it’s portrayed in the movies. We have such a fear-based idea of birth, but that’s because that’s all we typically see. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, and this mother’s experience peaked my interest in all things birth and pregnancy related.
Fast forward a few years later, and my husband and I start planning for a family of our own. It wasn’t until this point that I realized how hard it could actually be to get pregnant and once you are pregnant- how many options are out there that you never hear about. When I first went into it, I thought the big question was “Epidural or Natural?”
But that’s just a tiny, tiny piece of the puzzle! There is so much that leads up to it that can help shape a more positive birth experience. I feel passionate that women have the option of knowing that. They need to know that birth doesn’t have to depict the screaming woman on tv. Women deserve to have all of their options clearly laid out for them and to have someone who will support them in their decisions. They deserve to have someone who stands by them believing in their strength, intuition and ability.
At first, I thought that being a doula just sounded like a fun job. But the deeper I get into it, the more it becomes who I am. A doula is there to support you on all levels. Now I find myself “doulaing” everyone I meet, not just pregnant moms!
Has it been a smooth road?
Yes and no. I love having a clear set plan, easing into things and knowing exactly what to expect. All of which is nearly impossible in the birth world. My word for myself this year has been “surrender”, and I’ve had a lot of practice! I’m taking my own medicine when I talk to moms about surrendering.
I will say, though, I have never felt so aligned with my purpose. God has opened doors for me that I would never have been able to open myself. If I have any kind of need, be it networking or supplies, it gets met. If my schedule has openings, some crazy opportunity will present itself. I’m so honored to have gotten to train under some of the best- Ina May Gaskin, UmmSalaamah Abdullah, Corrinna Monique Daviau and Angeles Mayte Noguez.
I’ve had the honor of meeting and getting to hear some of the wisdom of our grand midwives in Atlanta and I’ve gotten to work with so many incredible women. Everything has come together so smoothly and quickly that I’m constantly reminding myself not to fear it. Success can actually be a little nerve-wracking!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Every Woman Worthy story. Tell us more about the business.
So Every Woman Worthy is a company devoted to providing individualized, fertility and birth doula support to women and families in the Atlanta area. We come alongside you through your preconception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey to support you emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually.
Our mission is that every woman feels loved, cherished and supported- regardless of her age, ethnicity or socio-economic status. And we stick to this in our practice. We have a scholarship program that is built out of the belief that it’s better to give than to receive and we work in our community to raise awareness of maternal health issues and to provide education to women and girls about the power and intricacy of their bodies.
We believe in women and we believe in their bodies. Our proudest moments come not from anything we could ever do, but from what our mothers themselves do! After a particularly incredible birth experience, one mother leaned back and said “I can’t believe I did it! I was made for this, my body was made for this!” You won’t soon forget witnessing a woman who truly believes in herself. It’s powerful.
We specialize in young mothers and families who have struggled to conceive and our heart is for those who are over-looked and under-served. So when a woman has the knowledge of what she’s capable of and really sees herself as we see her… that’s when we’re proud to be a part of it.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe there’s a huge shift coming in women’s health care. With each passing day, new statistics are rolling out about the fertility crisis, maternal mental health issues and racial disparities within the care that women are receiving. While these statistics should startle and move us, I think we’ve become numb to numbers. What we haven’t become numb to, however, are the moments when these statistics become our mothers, our friends, our aunties, our cousins or our sisters. When we’re touched by these issues, then we are moved. And when we are moved, it’s easy to take action.
There’s a quote by Jeannine Parvati Baker that states, “Peace on Earth begin with birth.”
I know I’m here to promote myself as a doula and talk about the industry of birth keepers. But as your doula, this is exactly what I care about. I care about sisterhood, having each other’s backs and women supporting women. I care about how your beautiful baby is brought into the world and how you perceive your experience. 1/3 women report feeling as though their birth experience was traumatic- that is not okay. Having a baby is a really exciting and transformational time. You deserve for your journey into parenthood to be one of peace, fulfillment, pleasure, joy, comfort, bliss and wellness. As your doula, I support you in ways to help you achieve this.
At the end of the day, doulas have been proven to change these statistical outcomes. When a mother and family are well supported, there’s a remarkable upward swing of personal satisfaction, better bonding with baby and an increased likelihood of a beautiful, serene postpartum period. So as the awareness of pregnancy and birth-related issues come up, I’m hoping that the word about doulas spreads too.
Pricing:
- Couples Birth Support Lesson $129.
- Birth Doula Support $799. – $1299.
- Placenta Encapsulation $279. – $359.
- Fertility/Postpartum Womb Care $79. – $129.
- Bengkung Postpartum Belly Binding $ 159.
- Womb Love Customized Healing Massage Oil/ Yoni Steaming Herbs $17.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.everywomanworthy.com
- Phone: 404.542.5404
- Email: amyjamesherbalist@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy.james2.0/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everywomanworthy/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
