Midwife in the Making
Donation protected
Thanks for stopping by my campaign. I have known since my pregnancy with my son 17 years ago that heart work in birth work was my calling. A counselor recommended that I seek the support of a doula due to not having much physical support for the labor. I sought the support of a doula who turned out to be everything I needed during my birth. As a 19 year old first time mom, I was able to navigate 17 ½ hours of natural labor and give birth to my son safely, comfortably and free of trauma and worry with her help.
In the years following, after moving from Chicago and relocating to Memphis, there were experiences that again pushed me into the direction of supporting families. My husband and I suffered many miscarriages and loss twins prematurely at 23 weeks after doctors refused to perform any life saving measures. Throughout our journey of trying to conceive, I didn’t feel like doctors took our situation seriously and really dug deep into the cause behind our losses. Very little attention was given to our worries and concerns.
In addition to having a traumatizing birth in 2015, my husband suddenly passed in 2017. After finding out I was pregnant with our 6th child after his death, I was determined to find the support I had been longing for, more than ever. I was widowed, mom of 5 (soon to be 6) and was desperate to celebrate our rainbow after the storm. This birth had to be magical. I told myself that my family deserved a different experience after everything we had been through. I hired a midwife, was cared for the way I had longed for all these years and had a home birth with all of my children present. I was forever changed. I had a son who would carry my husband’s namesake and be my final push into a field that had been calling me for so long.
I decided to train and certify as a birth doula with DONA, became a Certified Lactation Counselor, postpartum doula, a trained Midwife Assistant and Placenta Encapsulator. I have served many families in the greater Memphis area and founded Naturally Nurtured Birth Services LLC as a way to support the communities who need it most. NNBS is a collaborative collective of doulas that provide emotional, physical and educational support to birthing families. I am now seeking community support myself as I prepare for a journey into becoming a community midwife and enrolling with the National College of Midwifery. I hope to prevent others from experiencing what my family and I had to endure.
In Memphis, according to the March of Dimes 2019 Report Card, preterm birth rates have risen for the fourth year in a row. Tennessee received a "D" grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.1%. Shelby County got an "F" with a preterm birth rate of 12.5%. Racial disparities, socioeconomic challenges that we face in Shelby County makes it worse than the rest of the country. According to March of Dimes in Tennessee, the preterm birth rate among black women is 45% higher than the rate among all other women followed by white and Hispanic women. The report shows Memphis is among 10 cities with the highest rate of preterm births in the country.
The kind of support a family receives has a great and lasting impact. Many of the critical problems mentioned can be addressed by supporting and funding the education and advancement of black care providers, especially black midwives. The midwifery model of care addresses the needs of the whole person and currently Memphis has only a handful of black midwives. Because birth is sacred, I would like to honor the space by becoming a Certified Professional Midwife and continuing to serve my community. After completion of the ASM program with NCM, it is my goal to open a free-standing birthing house that also provides a safe space for gathering and learning.
During my time enrolled, I will have to step back from my full-time work while in clinic. Because of this, I am in need of help with tuition, fees, equipment, and books. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and is supporting a longtime dream. #blackbusinessgrant
Breakdown of Expenses:
ASM Tuition: $4,500
Midwifery Equipment: $3,000
Used Books: $2,500 partial
NARM testing fee: $900
NRP Training: $115 Completed
CPR Training: Completed
Light and Grace,
Shanille
In the years following, after moving from Chicago and relocating to Memphis, there were experiences that again pushed me into the direction of supporting families. My husband and I suffered many miscarriages and loss twins prematurely at 23 weeks after doctors refused to perform any life saving measures. Throughout our journey of trying to conceive, I didn’t feel like doctors took our situation seriously and really dug deep into the cause behind our losses. Very little attention was given to our worries and concerns.
In addition to having a traumatizing birth in 2015, my husband suddenly passed in 2017. After finding out I was pregnant with our 6th child after his death, I was determined to find the support I had been longing for, more than ever. I was widowed, mom of 5 (soon to be 6) and was desperate to celebrate our rainbow after the storm. This birth had to be magical. I told myself that my family deserved a different experience after everything we had been through. I hired a midwife, was cared for the way I had longed for all these years and had a home birth with all of my children present. I was forever changed. I had a son who would carry my husband’s namesake and be my final push into a field that had been calling me for so long.
I decided to train and certify as a birth doula with DONA, became a Certified Lactation Counselor, postpartum doula, a trained Midwife Assistant and Placenta Encapsulator. I have served many families in the greater Memphis area and founded Naturally Nurtured Birth Services LLC as a way to support the communities who need it most. NNBS is a collaborative collective of doulas that provide emotional, physical and educational support to birthing families. I am now seeking community support myself as I prepare for a journey into becoming a community midwife and enrolling with the National College of Midwifery. I hope to prevent others from experiencing what my family and I had to endure.
In Memphis, according to the March of Dimes 2019 Report Card, preterm birth rates have risen for the fourth year in a row. Tennessee received a "D" grade with a preterm birth rate of 11.1%. Shelby County got an "F" with a preterm birth rate of 12.5%. Racial disparities, socioeconomic challenges that we face in Shelby County makes it worse than the rest of the country. According to March of Dimes in Tennessee, the preterm birth rate among black women is 45% higher than the rate among all other women followed by white and Hispanic women. The report shows Memphis is among 10 cities with the highest rate of preterm births in the country.
The kind of support a family receives has a great and lasting impact. Many of the critical problems mentioned can be addressed by supporting and funding the education and advancement of black care providers, especially black midwives. The midwifery model of care addresses the needs of the whole person and currently Memphis has only a handful of black midwives. Because birth is sacred, I would like to honor the space by becoming a Certified Professional Midwife and continuing to serve my community. After completion of the ASM program with NCM, it is my goal to open a free-standing birthing house that also provides a safe space for gathering and learning.
During my time enrolled, I will have to step back from my full-time work while in clinic. Because of this, I am in need of help with tuition, fees, equipment, and books. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and is supporting a longtime dream. #blackbusinessgrant
Breakdown of Expenses:
ASM Tuition: $4,500
Midwifery Equipment: $3,000
Used Books: $2,500 partial
NARM testing fee: $900
NRP Training: $115 Completed
CPR Training: Completed
Light and Grace,
Shanille
Organizer
Shanille Bowens-Harris
Organizer
Memphis, TN