Check Out Lorna Leverette’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorna Leverette.

Hi Lorna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before 2017 I had absolutely no clue what a doula was. While listening to a podcast by Author Alex Elle, I heard the term doula. Brandi Sellers was the guest and she talked about being a postpartum doula and conscious parenting. I was in awe at how she described what a doula was, and the fact that people can support a birthing person in that matter was just amazing. I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to hold space for someone who might be afraid or, someone who just needs my presence or, someone who might not understand all of the medical terminology being said around them. I knew that being a certified nursing assistant was only a stepping stone to being a great doula.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My initial struggle was finding clientele who could afford to pay but now there are so many programs and even Medi-Cal has made it easier for their insurers to be able to access Doula care.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a birth doula, I provide physical comfort, emotional support and educational support while going through the birthing journey. It’s an honor to be invited into such an intimate moment in my client’s lives. During the birthing process, women are at a very vulnerable stage in their lives and evidence has shown that having a birth doula makes for a more pleasant experience.

Studies have shown that having a birth doula may decrease your chances of having a cesarean, decrease your length of labor and decrease your chances of needing an epidural.

As a community doula, I’m able to relate to women and families who look like me. African American women are four times more likely to die during childbirth than their White counterparts. So, having me as their doula, we discuss bodily autonomy and how to activate that power within themselves.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
African American women in Los Angeles county who are expecting and looking to hire me as their doula can go to Blackinfantsandfamilies.org for further details on FREE services.

African American women outside of Los Angeles County, other doulas looking for mentorship and families looking for infant feeding support can email me directly for services and pricing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Wetrustbirth2020

Image Credits
Sha’Tiera Jones, Kalise Johnson, Taylor Reese