Exploring Life & Business with Keesha Hernandez of Doula Keesha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keesha Hernandez.

Hi Keesha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
During 2020, I was called to birth work through family ties that requested my support navigating the Medical Industrial Complex. I immediately thought about the maternal mortality rates and all of the women who have experienced birth trauma in my community. This fueled my passion to dive deeper into study to support women and families re-shift the power dynamics within these birthing spaces. My first birth experience as a doula inspired me to do this work full-time. I saw the fear-based coercion, overworked medical staff, and lack of human-centered care throughout those 3 days of waiting for the baby’s arrival. When medical staff showed up with positivity and empathy, you could feel the energy in the room shift. I knew I wanted to play a role in supporting mamas find more ease as they walk through the threshold of motherhood.

Studies show that 84% of maternal deaths are preventable, and this is another piece of why I believe in preparing for birth. As a doula, I am able to help families carve out time to talk about birth prep, such as knowing their rights, laboring positions, informed consent, how to escalate concerns if they are not feeling heard, and postpartum healing. I have supported 80+ families during pregnancy, birth & postpartum. Every birth is different, whether it be unmedicated, medicated, vaginal, surgical, low-risk, or high-risk births. I have seen many variations throughout my time as a birth worker, and I encourage clients to prepare for all possible outcomes. I believe that collaborative care between families, OBs, Midwives, and doulas can spark movement forward toward change.

My client work has motivated me to understand more about womb wellness, postpartum mental health, and ancestral practices for healing during the perinatal period. I studied traditional Pan-African and Pan-Indigenous womb care and birthing practices in Ghana and West Africa. This experience changed my life and reminded me of how important the village is when it comes to birthing your baby and rebirthing yourself. I am honored that I get to work with families through these vulnerable transitional periods. I am in deep gratitude that I was called to birth work before I gave birth to my own son as well. If you are looking for a doula, feel free to reach out to see if we vibe. I am currently taking private clients and Medi-Cal clients in the Los Angeles area. Everyone deserves a doula!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My role as a doula plays a huge part in my activism against injustices within the medical system, so the road has not been smooth. I have been met with many obstacles when it comes to supporting my clients to have informed births. There is a routine with hospitals that need to be broken down and restructured.

One of the obstacles is the idea that medical staff doesn’t need to receive consent for some of the interactions or procedures regarding patient care. Currently present day there are procedures being done such as membrane sweeps without my client’s consent. Any intervention being done on your body requires informed consent or permission granted in the knowledge of the possible consequences, typically that which is given by a patient to a doctor for treatment with full knowledge of the possible risks and benefits.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My private practice is centered around doula care that supports informed decision-making and intuitive knowing of self. I believe that everyone deserves a doula and that if I’m not your doula, I can refer you to someone who can. I am most proud of the work I am doing within the community to educate and elevate our understanding around our bodies. We have the right to speak up for ourselves and be heard. No one will know your body better than you do. Seeing families re-shift power dynamics where their concerns are now being heard provides me with great joy. My doula services are centered around a whole-body holistic healing approach mixed with evidence-based research. My offerings include birth doula care, postpartum doula care, placenta encapsulation, perinatal yoga instruction, and postpartum closing ceremonies.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup. To prevent burnout, I take time off for travel opportunities to rest and rejuvenate. Also, I make sure before I go into a birth or postpartum session that I perform an energy cleansing ritual. When I’m done with a birth or postpartum session, I will also perform an energy-cleansing ritual. It can be as simple as taking a deep breath or hiking out in nature. 

Pricing:

• Birth Doula contracts starting from $2,000-$3,000
• Postpartum Doula contracts starting at $35-$50 an hour
• sliding scale available by request for both
• Medi-Cal clients receive free doula services

Contact Info:

• Website: www.doulakeesha.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/doulakeesha

Image Credits
Christian Beckley