Lauren B. Solomon’s journey to becoming a doula started from a painful event in 2018. Losing a loved one during a rushed cesarean section made her realize her calling. She wanted to help Black families have better birth experiences.
Reconnecting with Birth’s Wisdom
Holistic health practitioner Lauren B. Solomon believes in the ancient wisdom of childbirth. Throughout history, women have supported each other during birth. She says, “The human body is profoundly wise and intelligent, capable of creating, carrying, birthing, and nourishing our babies.”
Solomon emphasizes the importance of this wisdom to help women feel confident and safe during childbirth. However, she notes that modern hospitals often ignore this wisdom, causing problems for Black mothers.
Empowering Black Moms
As a doula, Solomon’s goal is to empower Black moms to advocate for themselves during childbirth.
She explains, “There’s often a misconception that it’s primarily the doula’s duty to advocate for the mother, but as a birth worker, my role is not to speak for the families I support; rather, I empower them to advocate for themselves.”
Solomon’s approach has helped many moms have successful births, even after previous cesarean sections.
Tackling the Maternal Health Crisis
The sad truth is that Black moms face a lot of risks during childbirth. In New York City, Black women are much more likely to die during or after giving birth compared to white women. Nationwide, the numbers are alarming too. Solomon sees this as a personal issue, not just statistics.
She says, “Behind these numbers are human beings and families torn apart, and the losses reverberate throughout our communities in ways that cannot be fully encapsulated or merely quantified.” That’s why she’s so committed to supporting Black moms and families as a doula.
