ABOUT SJ

I grew up on the North side of Chicago in a multicultural Black and Japanese American family. My practice as a doula is grounded in reproductive and birth justice. I believe that everyone deserves to have a safe, informed, and empowered pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. I also believe that all pregnant persons have the right to choose whether or not they wish to continue a pregnancy.

I was first drawn to birthwork after learning about the racial disparities in birth outcomes, and how Black and Indigenous pregnant and postpartum persons are at a greater risk for adverse outcomes. I learned about how Black and Brown doulas of color were organizing for reproductive justice to create systems of community care, and I wanted to become a part of that. After completing my first doula training in 2018 and working/volunteering as a labor support/birth doula, I quickly noticed that so much attention is focused on preparing for the birth (which is important!), but not enough attention is focused on preparing for the postpartum period. So I started re-centering my practice around postpartum support, seeking out additional training in postpartum care practices.

As a full spectrum doula, I am experienced in supporting families in hospitals and at home, through vaginal births and caesareans, inductions and intervention-free and unmedicated labors. I have experience supporting parents with postpartum depression and anxiety, parents who have experienced prior loss/grief/miscarriage, and those recovering from abortions, c-sections and difficult births. I provide care that is evidence-based, trauma informed, culturally sensitive, and LGBTQ+ affirming.

United States culture unfortunately doesn’t allow for the type of care and nurturing that postpartum persons (and their families) need to thrive. We don’t have universal paid family leave from work. Many parents and parents-to-be live far away from their family and support system. Many people don’t have the language to fully understand the physiology of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant development. Reproductive and sexual health isn’t something that’s openly talked about in many households, and postpartum recovery and abortion recovery are topics which are even more unacknowledged . For a myriad of reasons, this precious period of biological transition and identity shifts can be overwhelming. As a full spectrum doula, and as a parent myself, I love having conversations with pregnant/gestational parents and their partners about pregnancy choices, labor/birth preparation, postpartum healing, and newborn care. I want to know what the physical and emotional needs are of the families/individuals I work with, and how we can create a plan together to meet those needs.

Let’s talk about full spectrum doula support

My Training Background

Trainings & Workshops (2018 to Present):

Birth and Postpartum Doula Training (Warm Welcome Birth)

Advanced Full Spectrum Doula Training (Cornerstone Doula Trainings)

Postpartum Doula Training (Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings)

Abortion Companion Training (Mama Aicha and Chicago Women’s Health Center)

Intercultural Communications for Birthworkers (Chicago Volunteer Doulas)

Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss (Amy Wright Glenn)

Supporting QTGNC Folks During Pregnancy & Postpartum (Rise Osby)

Introduction to the Strengthening Families 5 Protective Factors (Chicago Volunteer Doulas)

Herbal Medicine Making (Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine)

Pregnancy and Postpartum Herbs in the Southern Tradition (Divine Birth Wisdom)

45 Hour Lactation Course: Certified Blactivist Educator (The BLACK Course)

Lactation Counselor Training Course (Center for Breastfeeding)

Bioregional Herbalism (First Curve Apothecary)

Formal Education:

Master of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (UIC)

Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience (Amherst College)