Hidden Gems: Meet Brittany Patterson of Birthwrite

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Patterson

Hi Brittany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Ohio. I studied Human Development & Family Studies at Kent State University. I decided that after graduation, I would only apply for jobs in Miami and Los Angeles. I was ready for warm weather and a brand new adventure. I ended up in California. I accepted a position in the Valley, partnered with a non-profit and working in a school setting. One year later, I applied for a position as a College & Career Advisor with the same non-profit. I was selected for the position and I accepted my first big girl job- I was so excited! I remained in this position for four years and during my last year, my partner Rod and I found out that we were expecting our first baby. My pregnancy journey and birth experience birthed a new path for me personally and professionally. Prior to becoming pregnant, I was oblivious to the challenges birthing people and families were facing in our healthcare system.

Our first prenatal appointment we were seen by an OB/GYN who was very cold. Rod and I attempted to connect with her but she maintained her cold demeanor. We were also told that he didn’t need to attend all of the appointments and that they are monotonous. I couldn’t believe how jaded she was coming off and mechanical the appointment was going. There was no shared moment of excitement between us and the OB/GYN for this exciting life change and first time hearing our baby’s heartbeat. The environment did not feel welcoming for our family to celebrate and bask in the excitement and nervousness..you know, all of the feels happening within us. I switched from an OB/GYN to a midwife and was able to find one that aligned most with my birth preferences. I never received the emotional support that I knew was available under the care of the right provider. I sought out holistic care to help support my pregnant body and prepare for labor and birth. Pregnancy massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, red raspberry leaf tea, etc., were services and tools that I used during my 2nd and 3rd trimester.

All but one of these services, I had to research and consult with professionals outside of the hospital I was receiving prenatal care. They just didn’t seem to be in the game of let’s help this mama achieve her goal of having an unmedicated, no IV, no intervention birth. Nonetheless, this mama did it. I birthed my son, with the support of his father Rod, free of intervention, no IV fluids and no epidural. I have since become a Doula, Lactation Educator, and host a virtual Mother’s group (Birthwrite Diaries). I also advocate for all families, with a focus on black infant and maternal health. I often share my pregnancy and birth story to educate, inform, equip and encourage new, expecting and anticipating families. When we share positive birth stories and talk about all birth options, we empower families and help them prepare to have an experience that aligns with their beliefs about birth.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, the road has been windy for sure and bumpy at times. I believe these roads help us to build character and gain wisdom. As I sit here in reflection, I’m thinking about the forks in the road that appear in life. My forks in the road represent fear of the unknown causing analysis paralysis, indecision, and other times leaning into one’s intuition and absolutely crushing it. Let me unpack what I mean…I mentioned that I worked as a College & Career Advisor for four years. Well during my 4th year, I really felt that it was time for me to move on to the next opportunity but I was comfortable with my pay, my benefits, and my predictable work style and schedule for the time being. Of course, I desired more but comfort and habits can be strongholds that keep us from the evolution we so desperately need. The consequences of not acting on my intuition caused me to go through a season of depression. Analysis paralysis and indecision. I feared what would be next and chose to stay in my comfort zone. Even in this space God continued to cover me on my walk. When I look back everything appears to unfold just as it should have! I caused myself a lot more discomfort than necessary and sometimes that’s necessary. We learn, we grow, and we gain wisdom.

I also shared my birth vision was to have an unmedicated birth free of interventions. My healthcare provider didn’t rally around my birth vision. I had to constantly pray and speak over my baby and myself. From the unsolicited advice given by people in work, social and personal spaces to the care providers who chose to attach certain narratives to my body, focus on the risks and what could go wrong- I had to repeatedly wash these energies and words away from my mind and spirit. These were not my beliefs, stories and burdens to carry. I was at a fork in the road again- I could again fear the unknown and subscribe to the common practice of the hospital and health care providers or I could trust my intuition and allow it to lead me. This time I chose intuition.

As Rod and I began to educate ourselves about our options and types of care, we learned about the high maternal and infant death rate among blacks. Among the developed nations, the U.S. had the worst maternal mortality rates and had one of the lowest numbers of Midwives. In LA County Black women are four times more likely to die from complications in childbirth than other races and Black infants are 2-3 times more likely to die than other races. We learned about the heavy use of unnecessary interventions and high C-section rates plaguing many hospitals. I began to realize that not all birth options were considered equal and that depending on your health insurance, you could be limited in those options.

You see we knew the stats, the risks, and as a Black woman I knew I needed to take a preventative and proactive approach to my prenatal care. This required a lot of effort on my part. I decided I wanted to deliver our son at a birth center where my family and I would be most safe and receive care from midwives who viewed birth as I did. Unfortunately, my insurance would not cover this birth option. I had to mourn the loss of a birth vision I had for my family and I. The midwife and owner of the birth center reminded me that I could still have a great birth experience in a hospital setting and would just need to prepare. She provided me with some resources to continue on my journey. I got to work. I allowed my intuition to lead me even through the discomfort and God continued to speak to me, through me and put the right people on my path to support my journey. Taking the lead in my pregnancy and birth by learning, communicating what I desired and connecting with my intuition was so empowering. This was part of what helped me go into my labor feeling certain and transition into motherhood with such confidence as a first time mom.

I want to send a message of love to all my pregnant people carrying light force during this time and new parents. I speak confidence, connection, love, divine download and intuitive healing over you and your family. You’ve got this!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the founder of Birthwrite. I am a Doula and Lactation Educator. I created Birthwrite a few months after having my son. I was pregnant with a spiritual message. My spirit kept telling me to create a space and write out, express the thoughts and feelings on my heart and so I did. Birthwrite is a creative, fun and beautiful way to become educated about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, parenthood and more. Birthwrite speaks to birth as a rite of passage, invitation for healing, decolonization and restoring of ancestral traditions in our own divine way.

*A Doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional, spiritual and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum period. As Doula, I am passionate about helping families enjoy their pregnancy, prepare for their birth and transition into parenthood. I spent a lot of my pregnancy researching and learning, it would have been so nice to have a doula give me a foundation. I would have saved hundreds of hours (and the overwhelm that comes with it) pulling apart information spread across the internet.

Part of preparation is doing one’s own work of learning and my job is to ensure you have the evidence-based information and resources you need to learn. I can tailor the education to your learning style. I provide you with resources for you to research and questions to consult with your care provider.

As a Doula, my role is to help you find the right Doula for you. Whether it’s me or the amazing Doulas in or around my community it’s important to me that you have a strong care team around you. I am very proud of the work Birthwrite has been able to do in the local community and around the U.S. I have been invited to speak on many platforms, podcasts, virtual events, Lamaze classes, etc. to share my journey and my expertise. I am proud of the virtual Birthwrite Diaries events we’ve hosted to connect moms from different parts of LA County and other states.

As a Lactation Educator my role is to help you understand the process of breastfeeding/chestfeeding, the benefits of breastmilk and the benefits of nursing for both mom and baby during the first year of babies life or longer. I can also refer you to a lactation consultant for support if/when needed.

We are just beginning and there is so much more on the way. I am grateful to every business, organization and community leaders who have reached out, sent me resources, partnered with me and/or included Birthwrite in conversation even when I am not present. I am so excited to continue this work and serve more expecting and anticipating families.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the weather, beaches, hiking trails, and yummy food options. There are always events happening, prior to us having our son, we attended movie premieres and screenings often for date nights and once baby was here, we would go to Mommy and Baby movie day- It was AWESOME! I dislike the traffic and cost of living- don’t we all?!

Contact Info:

• Email: birthwritediaries@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Birthwrite_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthwriteDiaries

Image Credits
Roderick Parks