VALUES

Our aim is to create a safe space in all the ways we serve growing families. Here are our main values:

  • We support and help you advocate for your personal preferences/choices with judgment, whatever those might be. We are here to help you build the customized support you need along this journey to protect & support both your physical and mental health.

    Why is advocacy, support, and a team approach so important? Listen to this podcast episode with birth equity advocate Dr. Neel Shah.

  • We recognize the harm that is done when the white, heteronormative, cis-gendered experience is centered at the exclusion of others, specifically LGBTQIA+ folks. Therefore, we work to create as much of a safe, trauma-informed space as we possibly can and have a zero-tolerance policy for any hateful messaging in our gatherings (for both Birth Matters & East River Doula Collective spaces). To this end, you may hear some of the following terms (instead of or in addition to “mom” “dad” “woman” etc.):

    ~ Birthing/pregnant person/folks

    ~ Birthgiver

    ~ Support person/partner

    ~ Y’all

    ~ Bodyfeeding

    ~ Chestfeeding

    ~ Nursing

    ~ Lactation/Lactating person

    ~ Human milk

  • We are active in antiracism & birth advocacy work .

    A portion of our financial proceeds goes to further this important work. A few of the organizations we support (and hope you’ll consider supporting):

    National Birth Equity Collaborative

    Ancient Song Doula Services (Brooklyn)

    The Birthing Place (Bronx)

    Ashe Birthing Services (NYC)

    Chocolate Milk Cafe

    Save a Rose Foundation

    4Kira4Moms

    The Irth App

    Black Mamas Matter Alliance

    Every Mother Counts

    Hour Children (NYC)

    Safe Families for Children (NYC)

    Foundation for the Advancement of Haitian Midwives

    Interested in getting involved in political action to effect positive change for birthing families? Learn more or join the Movement to Birth Liberation

    Listen to this birth equity podcast with Dr. Neel Shah and this panel on improving Black Maternal Health outcomes

  • We don’t waste your time with fluff. Instead, we prioritize what will be most supportive and useful for you.

  • We stay current on the latest perinatal research and incorporate that into our work.

    We also abide by the “3-legged stool” concept of the best form of evidence-based care which includes:

    1) scientific/medical research

    2) working with a clinical provider (midwife or OB) who can expertly interpret the research and customize it to your medical needs and personal preferences

    3) personal preferences

  • Everyone deserves to feel cared about in this time of life!