Doula Bean Maternal Care

My name is Charity Bean,  
I am a certified pregnancy, labor, childbirth and postpartum doula. In August of 2020 I decided to start my own doula business, Doula Bean Maternal Care, LLC. With the pandemic it became hard to take on clients due to the restrictions in place with hospitals and OB offices. Although the option of virtual care was at large, it still isn’t the same as in person and being able to be hands on coaching mothers through labor and being that support person and advocate for the families. I decided that if I couldn’t be present while my clients are in labor then I’d change my service to accommodate those who truly need me. I decided to do childbirth education. This way I can still be a doula but I am able to educate, advocate, empower and most importantly making sure they understand informed consent.  
Changing to childbirth education doula has been the best decision I've made. It not only gives me the opportunity to work with more people but to literally spread information on childbirth that many don’t know. Many women don’t know they can labor at home, move around their labor room, use birthing balls, different massage techniques and breathing techniques to help control pain. How many women know that they can have a vaginal birth after c-section? I teach women to trust their bodies as well as helping women who have issues with gestational diabetes and hypertension (preeclampsia). The pandemic has caused those issues alone to rise to an alarming rate. This is due to the lack of prenatal care, not being able to get out of the house and stay active, fear of covid-19 triggering anxiety and stress. I couldn’t imagine being pregnant during these uncertain times and being told that I can’t have my partner at my visits or my mother not being able to attend the birth of her grandchild and support me through labor because only one person can be present. It breaks my heart. Rather the patient is in her teens or late thirties, married or single, first child or 7th childbirth is life changing and families need support.  
Therefore, I decided that in order to help more families I would like to move into my own office space. In this office I would like to have a space large enough to hold childbirth classes, one on one sessions with families, a breastfeeding private area, storage room for donated items such as car seats, baby clothes, diapers, and more that are given to me to support moms/families who are low income and in need of the essential baby items. There is no greater stress than not being able to afford even the basic things for a new baby. I want everyone to know their pregnancy and birth is important. I’d like to provide postpartum meetings to help women be free to vent in a space that is non-judgmental. Research has shown that mom groups help build bonds, let moms meet other moms and establish friendships and not feel so alone. This is my way of helping reduce the rate of postpartum depression. I’d like to also teach healthy eating habits and exercise. Pregnancy is not a handicap. Staying active helps prepare the body for labor .As well as reaching out to the youth about practicing safe sex and learning their bodies.  
I am a certified medical assistant, nurse assistant and lactation counselor. I’ve worked in healthcare for 12 years. I am currently employed PRN with Memorial Hospital East in the Family Care Birthing Center. Mom’s and babies are my passion and heart. I am a women's health advocate and strive to improve healthcare for women. I’ve been here as a patient care tech and unit secretary for 5 years. March 2021 I will take my career to the next level. I have been accepted into Kaskaskia College registered nurse program. This is the first step towards my goal of becoming a nurse midwife. I plan to make a difference in this world for all women. I’m starting right here and right now by standing at the forefront with myself and many other doulas around the United States in the fight to reduce and eventually end the Black Maternal Mortality Rate! Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from complications of childbirth up to one-year postpartum. This is unacceptable. It starts with education on the matter and childbirth. We must make sure we are providing more information and taking the time to explain the importance of having a support during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care. When you know better you do better. We must start here and especially with someone who we can relate to and feel comfortable around. That is me. I know my purpose on this earth and it’s to help all women have an empowered birth.  
I’m looking to raise $12,000 to acquire the space needed to provide these services as well as to purchase materials needed for teaching such as peanut balls, birthing balls, pregnancy and baby teaching models, notepads, folders, books, diapers, wipes and more to assist with teaching and helping those in need. I thank you all for taking the time to read this and I do hope you will find it in your heart to give to Doula Bean Maternal Care.  
Sincerely, 
Charity “Doula” Bean