Help our little family with postpartum support

Greetings Community,

My name is Victoria Juste, also known as Etan Gusi within my African rites of passage community Ndugu & Nzinga in NYC. My partner and I just moved to NJ a few weeks ago, while also working full time and going to grad school. I have been overwhelmed in trying to think about and plan giving birth in the midst of all of that change, not to mention a pandemic. During the beginning of my pregnancy, I transitioned jobs which caused my health insurance to be in disarray at a pivotal time when I needed it. I’ve had to take on medical bills at full cost due to the probationary period at my new job being within the first three months of my pregnancy and being cut off of my health insurance from my former job.

On 1/25/2022 (yesterday), I gave birth to my amazing daughter Elsie. My doulas Barbara Verneus and Emilie Rodriguez from Ashe Birthing Services have assisted me in so many ways in preparation for my birthing experience and postpartum, but it is with great humility that I ask for you to contribute anything you can give towards my postpartum care. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated, even if your contribution is prayers and affirmations.

Lack of finances should not be a barrier to something that should be a birth right- postpartum support and care. After a hospital birth, you are discharged to no one. Your next visit is in 6 weeks, yet everything that is so important happens within that time. All we want is to create an environment where I can heal physically, mentally and emotionally while adjusting to motherhood and nurturing my daughter.

Breakdown of fees:

Postpartum doula care for three weeks, 20 hours a week at $60 an hour for a total of $3600

Placenta Encapsulation $350

Total: $3,950.00

If you would like to contribute to our meal train, please sign up here .

Thank you so much,

Victoria, Ainsworth, and our birth team