Today we’d like to introduce you to Devonne Mitchell
Hi DeVonne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
DeVonne (@_divinerhythmdoula) is a certified birth and postpartum doula with 19 years of public health and health education experience. The importance of public health and living a healthy lifestyle has been instilled in her since she was a young girl! DeVonne’s mother set the stage early in life by encouraging an overall holistic approach. She witnessed her first birth at the age of nine and the exposure opened a world of possibilities. DeVonne has always had an interest in maternal and child health and a passion to support women during one of the most important seasons of life, the sacred transition into motherhood. After having children of her own, DeVonne answered the call to follow her dream. She became a doula and launched Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services.
DeVonne has two handsome healthy boys, and although she had to undergo a blood transfusion after her second son due to birth related complications, she is grateful that she nor her children experienced any long-term complications. However, she knows that is not the case for everyone—particularly women of color. The psychological impact and constant reminders about the maternal health crisis affecting women of color in the United States led DeVonne to create Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services, where she can educate, assist, and advocate for change by supporting women before, during, and after childbirth.
DeVonne earned her certification as a birth and postpartum doula through Mama Glow Immersion Training Program. She holds a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in health policy and management from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in health promotion and disease prevention from the University of Southern California.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services hasn’t had to overcome many obstacles or challenges building community and creating a safe space for clients. However, improving the healthcare system and the quality of care so that pregnant and postpartum families of color are heard and respected is critical. We have worked with many wonderful OB/GYNs, midwives, and nurses over the years and are grateful for the connections. We believe we all have a common goal of making sure that the birthing person and baby are healthy and have a safe delivery.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
1) Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services educates moms and families.
At Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services, our goal is to provide families with evidence-based information and link them to available resources and options that assist them in making healthy lifestyle choices that can lead to a better quality of life for those in the family for years to come. We educate families on the stages of labor, partner support and coping tools, newborn care, and commonly used interventions and inductions. We prepare our families for the fourth trimester often referred to as the postpartum period and we ensure that they have healthy food options available to begin their new journey. Once a family hires Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services to be a part of their birth team, they have us for life. We will always be available as a mentor to guide families along the way, whether it’s those first few days after childbirth, introducing baby to their first foods, or during early childhood education. We strive to be a call away for each of our families!
2) Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services protects moms and families.
As a public health professional, DeVonne knows that women of color are often genetically predisposed to certain health conditions. Often these conditions do not show up until pregnancy or postpartum. Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services ensures that families are aware of what to look for and prepared to take healthy measures to avoid preventable illnesses or deaths. For example, many birthing people often show signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia. Our hope is that we can provide them with valuable knowledge and the resources so that they are aware of the urgent warning signs before the signs manifest. During our time together, families learn how to take their blood pressure, how to communicate with their health care team, learn how to properly breastfeed/chest-feed, and more.
3) Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services advocates for moms and families.
We love to hear client testimonials and most recently, Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services had a client communicate to us that it was because of the blood pressure machine we provided during our prenatal visit, which are given to all clients, along with educational resources on the urgent maternal warnings signs, she was able to identify her symptoms and seek immediate medical attention following childbirth (postpartum). We are thankful that she was able to recognize the signs, identify symptoms, and seek the medical attention needed. Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services will continue to serve as many families, as we can so that they can live to their full potential.
DeVonne founded Divine Rhythm Doula and Wellness Services with a mission to ensure that families have the educational, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual support they need to have a safe, enjoyable pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience free of anxiety or fear.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
DeVonne earned her certification as a birth and postpartum doula through Mama Glow Immersion Training Program. The program offers various mentorship opportunities and courses to assist doulas with business start-up. Fortunately, I’ve been able to utilize the resources offered, as well as leverage my public health knowledge, to create Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services where I can help families navigate the healthcare system, educate them on their rights, and build confidence to advocate for their well-being. Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services ensures that families have evidence-based information needed to feel confident making informed decisions and healing at all stages of their journey into parenthood – rest, recovery, nourishment, and self-care.
Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services also offers mentorship opportunities and evidence-based childbirth classes to nurses and doulas who want to build community and learn more about evidence-based care, comfort measures, and tools to support birthing families of color. Contact Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services at [info@divinerhythmdoula.com, Instagram @_divinerhythmdoula or visit www.divinerhythmdoula.com ]
Pricing:
- Prenatal and Birth Doula Packages: $1700 – $2000
- Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum Doula Package: $2700 – $3000
- Placenta Encapsulation: Starting at $300
- Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class: $300 – $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divinerhythmdoula.com
- Instagram: @_divinerhythmdoula
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinerhythmdoula
Image Credits
Calvin Lionel @calvinlionel
