ARE YOU PREGNANT?

For 8 years, I have worked for a local WIC agency as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Certified Lactation Educator. During that time, I've had the privilege of working with nearly 900 families in San Diego County. There are a few barriers I'd like to combat in this field, which are: lack of transportation, cost and accessibility, and the lack of diverse representation. Every pregnant person should have access to a doula and lactation support. Especially, populations that are underserved and more at risk of racial injustice, maternal and infant mortality, and other disparities. I believe that guidance through the process of motherhood from conception to postpartum, will reduce the risk of maternal mental health disorders, improve birth outcomes, and increase breastfeeding rates. I breastfed 2 of my 3 children totaling in 5 years of personal breastfeeding experience. After having my first child, I suffered with Postpartum Depression (PPD) for 2 years. Too terrified to speak up, in fear of having my child taken away, I chose to suffer in silence! I believe the lack of a trustworthy source prolonged my journey to recovery and made it unnecessarily more difficult than it should've been. No one in my family breastfed before, I didn't see women who look like me breastfeeding, but I still made the decision to pave a new path for my family. Now, my formula fed daughter wants to breast feed because she watched me do it! We need people who are a part of the community, that share in the same experiences, who overcame and are now able to provide support to others in need.