It takes a village to raise a child, and it is an incredible act of self-care to ask for help. This film looks at ways to build a support system with family, friends and skilled birth workers who will be there for you each step of the way.
Motivated by her own birth experience to create a different reality for parents, Analuz is a multilingual doula and leader at Community Doula Program, an initiative that provides doula services in over 10 languages to people across the state of Oregon.
A globally recognized expert on the science of pleasure and the physiology of birth, Debra is a seasoned childbirth educator and doula who has trained thousands of people around the world.
An activist, a doula, and a mother of six, Chanel first discovered doulas and midwives when she was pregnant with her first child. She now leads a national movement to ensure all people have access to high quality, equitable care through her work as founder of Ancient Song Doula Services, co-founder of JustBirth Space, professor, and Commissioner on the NYC Commission for Gender Equality.
A doula who specializes in postpartum support, Erica leans on her improv and comedy skills from her early career to put families at ease. She also leads engaging childbirth education classes and support groups for parents as part of JustBirth Space.
A mother who has traveled the world with her daughter, LaShanda is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who provides expert guidance on infant feeding and connects parents to culturally congruent postpartum resources.
After her own experience as a teen mom Tikvah knew no one should go through pregnancy and birth alone. She helped create a community-based doula program for teen moms at University of Chicago Hospital, a model that has been adapted nationally through HealthConnect One Community Based Doula Leadership Institute.
With a background as a midwife, Amy has led national efforts to redesign maternity and perinatal care to be more person-centered and evidence-based. She oversaw the development of the learning program for Choices in Childbirth and assisted in directing and producing the film series.
An experienced nurse, Brittany is now a Birth Care Coordinator for the Birth Center of New Jersey, where she ensures that patients delivering in the birth center or at the hospital are connected to the education and resources they need throughout their care.
A community pediatrician in Corvallis, Oregon, Dr. Amador collaborates with postpartum doulas, home visitors, lactation professionals, and others to support the children and families who are most vulnerable.
A doula, photographer, and educator in New York, Carolina connects with other doulas and birth workers through the Ancient Song Doula Services community.
A doula serving expectant and new parents in Chicago, Chrissie aims to provide culturally aligned care for Black parents and build awareness in the community about the support doulas can offer.
A midwife who attends hospital births, Emily focuses on supporting informed choices and offering a broad range of options for people’s birthing needs, as well as their primary and gynecologic care across the lifespan.
A hospital-based midwife who is addressing the Black Maternal health crisis and leading an effort to bring birth center care to communities on the South Side of Chicago, Karie also founded Melanated Midwives, an organization focused on supporting the next generation of midwives of color.
A birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and prenatal yoga instructor, Kiyoe serves families in both English and her native Japanese in New York City.
A full-time chemical engineer, Michelle was drawn to the science of birth, and became a certified childbirth educator and doula. For over 17 years, she has served families giving birth in all settings, and now provides training and mentorship for the National Black Doula Association and supports clients at The Birth Center of New Jersey.
A midwife in the public hospital system in New York City, Mimi is also a researcher who focuses on systems changes to create health equity for people from historically disenfranchised communities.
During part of her medical training as an Ob-Gyn, Dr. Pemberton gained first-hand experience with the British system, where midwives and physicians work together. She founded The Birth Center of New Jersey to offer team-based care and midwifery options to her community.
An Ob/Gyn and new parent, Dr. Mehta has led national efforts to improve outcomes and safety for birthing people and their infants, with a focus on people insured through Medicaid. She leads efforts to redesign care for pregnant and birthing people at Cityblock Health.
A doula through Ancient Song Doula Services and co-founder of Black Women’s Blueprint, Sevonna’s work focuses on pursuing reproductive justice for survivors of sexual violence and honoring intergenerational wisdom and cultural narratives for healing and wellbeing.
Tayo, a doula, co-founder of Chicago Birthworks Collective, and a breastfeeding peer counselor, is working to improve birth and postpartum experiences in Chicago’s South Side.
As a doula and perinatal home visitor in Oregon, Valentina supports all families, with a focus on Black, Indigenous and Spanish-speaking families. Valentina supports and empowers families by helping them learn how to navigate the healthcare system and providing the social and language support services they need to thrive during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
After her empowering experience as a young mother who found high-quality care in her community, Wandy’s midwife saw her natural leadership and potential and encouraged her to become a peer breastfeeding counselor through HealthConnect One’s training. Today she’s a national leader and advocate in the community health worker movement.
A doula and expectant mother herself, Yesenia provides culturally aligned doula and language support services primarily to Latinx/Latine families through Oregon’s Community Doula Program.
Recently trained as a doula through Ancient Song Doula Services, Andrea’s passion is helping women and community.
As a traditional birth and postpartum doula and part of the Chicago Birthworks Collective, Ashley incorporates mindfulness and visualizations into her practice, and supports clients to engage in shared decision making and advocate for what matters most to them.
As a full-spectrum doula and educator, Regina founded A Passion for New Beginnings, a service to support expectant parents in New York and New Jersey, where she serves clients in English, Spanish and her native Cape Verdean Creole.
After her own experience with infertility, Tia wanted to support others in their fertility journeys, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color facing disparities in fertility and maternal health. She became certified as a doula providing birth and postpartum services and supporting those navigating IVF and other fertility treatments.
