LGBT Birthing (Lesbian)
LGBT Couple (Gay)
Birthing while Addicted
Birthing with HIV
Born from Rape and Incest
SIDS
Crisis Birthing
Report: Please list your option and your feelings about the videos that meant the most to you. Please make each opinion specific of to each video. We have to help our clients heal NOW…your clients are depending on you!
Love ya…Ameena
GRRACEE National Doula Academy 
Dr. Ameena, I’m signed into class. Lecture 1 already has me in tears. What strength and inspiration the Sister showed despite her diagnosis. And, wow, the Joquain family beautifully honored the memory of baby Gabriel.
Cry Sis…and then cry some more! If you cry now, you will be strong for the “Joquain family” you will encounter and the Sister that is HIV positive and just wants someone in her corner! She will ask for you to come and be strong for her. She will need the person that will NOT leave her side, yet , innerstand what she is going through and STAY WITH HER!!!! She is a unique soul and one that will be sure to appreciate your company and companionship!
Thanks again for answering the call to serve; take with you the fact that your compassion, NOW, in your practice, will be sure to be infectious in the months and years to come!
Much love,
Ameena
Here 🙂
Here 🙂
I just wept. This was a lot to take in for the first lecture but it allowed me to see inside the hearts of others to understand their situation better.
This is Ushaas signing into class. The first week provided much information, however the most profound for me is the training required to overstand the emotional needs of the mother. There are so many different situations that we must prepare for.
Sis…that was a great point! YES!!! You WILL be required to be there for the Mother in ways that she needs and in manners that you will have to know. This will require all of you that’s why you were chosen for this task…you obviously have this gift, Im just hoping I can say something or do something that will help you rediscover this power and use it for good!
Thanks Sis for the connection and your agreement to serve!
As a natural healing, the essential oil valor is used to protect from taking in the energies of clients. What are some things the holistic doula can do to remain grounded and emotionally sound after helping mothers?
Going in, Queen…smile
You ROCK!!!
I am here
You are going a bit fast, Sis…you have to listen/watch each lecture…you just replied to four hours of lectures/videos in less than one hour!! Your comments are time and date stamped
Each of these videos was striking! My heart goes out to Baby Gabriel. That was a beautiful memorial. I am in tears….. To have a life grow and play inside of you and birth stillness is so much to ask from a mother. Mothers who have gone through this must possess divine strength. The lady with HIV seemed so determined to write her own story. I admire that.
Great job!!!
it takes a very special, genuine person to interact with these special circumstances on the daily basis. may Allah strengthen my heart and help me to keep my composer, ameen. i could dehydrate myself
Amin…Amin…Allahu Amin…
Heavy heart, as I watched several of the videos I noticed I was in a storm then a flood (tears, tears) powerful reality!
This is the reason is was given to you…you have to heal in order to help your mommies heal!
Here! 🙂
First video in and I’m already crying.
WOW!!!! Keep clearing, cleaning and cleansing Queen…it’s good for the soul! Love ya!!!
sad i am here
Don’t be sad…glad you are here…
are we still accountable to the essay on midwives in Liberia? the video is not accessible?
No…I wouldn’t do that to you…I have to check the server…There are too many videos not working.
I’M LOST FOR WORDS……I’M GLAD THAT DARKINA THE MOTHER WITH HIV IS DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE WITH HER LIFE. SHE’S PUSHING HERSELF TO DO BETTER FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILDREN. 35 IS STILL YOUNG TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF ILLNESS. AS LONG AS SHE CONTINUE TO HAVE A SGTRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM SHE WILL BE FINE.
Beautifully spoken Queen
Good Rising 🙂
I like to say good rising… because that word vibrates better in my spirit than the word morning…
Week 2 day 1 is therapy for me as well as an eye opener big time! Lots of times for new birthworkers (me included) situations like these that i’ve just watched…. are pushed to the backs of our minds. Because they may hurt or even remind us of some part of our own life. Even though we know that things like this happen… we want to concentrate on the happy things about being a birthworker. That would keep us unprepared for when we are confronted with clients going through these circumstances. For every negative there is a positve.
Although a bit hard to watch and study… I know I have to be prepared for these times as well as the happy times. After all anyone can offer support when its all smiles and giggles.
Your resilience to heal soothes my soul!! Bless you Kelani!
Greetings, tuning in.
Ok…great
Very touching, love Darkina’s persistence and strength, and the stillborn video is heart felt..
I’m still moved!!!!
I am here and finishing up for today~
Great
I’m here
Present!
I’m here week 2, Lecture 1
I AM here! July 30, 2015
Great!
Present for Week 2 Day 1
Great
I’m in.
Great!
Present.
…gotcha!!!!
HIV, Still birth, and Crisis birth are very important topics of discussion. I was extremely impressed with the self-determination that Darkina showed and possess. She knows that she is still capable of living a prosperous life with HIV and that in itself will take her far. As far as doula dealing with a patient with HIV, I would really like to study more on this topic.
The Still born birth of Baby Gabriel was heartbreaking and I weeped. This is definitely a hard situation to deal with especially if you have never dealt with it personally. Being strong and compassion for your patient would be key in this situation but I am a softy so I would have to learn how to deal with these types of situations. This is another topic that I would need to study more about.
Lastly, the crisis video. I was a bit confused with the facts the ladies discussed. Were all the statements they stated UNTRUE. Abortion is a touchy subject as I am against abortions unless rape or incest is involved. But I know as a doula, my personal beliefs and morals do not necessarily apply as I have to put myself in the shoes of my patient and be very open minded and understanding of her.
Overall, I enjoyed this lecture as it defintely has me thinking about issues that would arise as a doula that I would be uncomfortable dealing with so now is the time to explore them and gain confidence that I can handle them if or when they arise.
Yaaassssssssss…..thinking outside of the box and outside of your comfort zone is the key! It’s not about YOU…it’s about HER…and her birth!
I am present and accounted for. This is SWITMWC Tarati.
Wow! Finding the strength to help a mother find her strength to deal with this… I’m at a loss for words that would do this memorial justice.
I just love your energy, Avril!!!!!
I enjoyed both videos. I actually have empowher as my email address. I had no idea there was an organization with the name.
Hahahahaha well that means the name you are tasked to find will be MORE powerful!
checking in
Nice!!!!!!
greetings, present and accounted for
Alhamdulilah I’m here!
Greetings Dr. Ameena, I’m here
I apologize, that was supposed to say Dr. Ali, I would not refer to you by your first name.
emotional video- definitely would have to find the balance between the emotional aspects and being available for mom to get her through such a tragic time
I am here!
I’m here. sad videos
Greetings! Here.
Greetings!! Kandice B.
Im here
Just logged on. Thank you!
Welcome!!!
I’m here ready to dig in!
Whooo Hoo Wee! Yaassssssss!
It was difficult to see the still born video. But this can happen. It was hard to view, but the pictures were so beautiful and the family was so brave. I lost a baby in my first trimester but birthing a baby and having it be a still born birth is different. This can happen, so it is good think about and how do you support a family if this happens.
Yes, this happens far more than most will admit to or share! Thanks for recognizing the message and thr intention
So many emotions running through me right now. I am in awe by the sister’s strength and persistence to be optimistic, for the health of her baby and her future success. In sharing her story, other women will be encouraged and empowered by her strength and grace.
The family that shared their story about the loss of their angel, Gabriel, is heartbreaking. I am in awe by their strength to commemorate their son and share their experiences with others to help them heal.
You got it Suga….the compassion is known with the knowledge, but its FELT when you see real people dealing with this very real emotion! Thanks!
It is so hard to know the truth and believe what people are telling you. That last abortion video was very interesting.
Awesomeness!!!!!
These videos are hard to watch, but this the reality for some people. Its better to have some exposure to this situations vs having none at all.
The young lady is still pushing through all her trials and tribulations despite her status of being HIV positive. It was great to hear of all her accomplishments, and future plans. It’s very inspiring and empowering to hear her go on, and on no matter what she faces.
Atlanta has the highest count if NEW cases in the nation. We are #1 for newly reported cases of HIV/AIDS for heterosexual, Black women, ages 17-40. It stems from our “men” being on “both sides of the fence” in their sexuality and coming home to us, after their “Bro-mances”.
Extremely sad to hear that here locally in Atlanta we have the highest count of new cases (sad that the new cases are in such a abundance). The unborn infant suffers (so innocent) along with the mother. Very sad 😦
So are you ready to work as an HIV/AIDS Doula?!?! I only have ONE and she is rocking and rolling here in Atlanta but sure could use some help!!!
The “Still birth” video and tribute to baby are real issues parents can face. As a Doula we have to be there to provide support to the families. I have had the “Rachel’s Gift” Training (Fetal Demise & Stillborn Training), in the past year. The program offers resources and information to moms and dads that had a still born. The program guides the parents through funeral arrangements, to also setting up the photography of the infant and family (if requested), keepsakes, even clothing for the baby and baby blankets. The program really helps you on how to prepare in case you have parents that exp this, even your wording, and how to approach them.
You are amazing
Peace,
Asiyah here checking in. Thanks for the conference call I’m good to go now!
Femi here
These videos! Oh my goodness. I am on a emotional roller coaster right now. All these women have so much strength to go through such traumatic experiences and still be there to celebrate life! The strength of a woman is unmeasurable!
Here.”Children Born of Rape and Incest” is not playing.
Hmmm….let me check that! I was working this morning when. I was playing it to make sure they worked…you might need to play it on another device