"I am committed to honoring myself, serving the community, and being a proud Black woman!”
– Ellen Ashley Branch, AAIMM Doula
What does being a doula mean to you?
Having a doula physically present at the birth is vital. Mainly because we fill in the emotional and social gap clinical providers often do not have time or capacity to fill. We are the ones that know what is generally "normal" and can support in navigating the emotional and psychosocial aspects of birth to aid the birthing person and their family toward a joyous outcome.
Please share a story of one of your most memorable experiences as a doula.
I had a VBAC client that had been told by her provider she would likely have to get a repeat Cesarean with her second child. During our prenatal visits we talked about why that was suggested and how we could work to ensure she was able to labor and deliver vaginally. As she approached her due date we were actively massaging her 5 year old scar and going for walks to support the baby being in optimal position. She was able to deliver vaginally after 26 hours of labor. Now she is eager to have more children because she trusts that her body is capable despite her first delivery being surgical.
What’s the most powerful or meaningful part of being a doula for you?
What’s one game-changing way a doula can support a family during birth and beyond?
What’s one unforgettable moment from your journey as a doula that still sticks with you the most?
When I decided to pursue holistic birth work as a doula, one of my first clients, a high school friend of mine, Tishera passed 4 months after the birth of her son. I was grief stricken and questioned if I was strong enough to be in this space where life and death meet. My resolve was fortified by my faith and the support of my family and friends. We all want healthy joyous outcomes but the reality of this work is that some women/birthing people experience loss on their way to parenthood. And for the babies that lose their mothers, the families that take them in are oftentimes burdened by the loss but have to keep hope and the memory of their beloved alive. I am a Full-Spectrum Doula for this reason. And my purpose is fortified by the lived experiences of the families I have supported since 2016.
About Ellen:
Ellen's preferred pronouns are she, her/s. Ellen is so excited to serve birthing families as a Full-Spectrum Doula! Ellen was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina and has lived in Los Angeles since 2018. Ellen's rural NC upbringing reinforces my desire to serve populations that otherwise would not have access to full-spectrum doula care. As an individual, Ellen brings a unique well-versed perspective to everything she does; from spoken word poetry to empowering laboring women to advocate for themselves. Ellen is a certified lactation education specialist, yoga instructor and peer support group facilitator. Ellen is committed to honoring myself, serving the community, and being a proud Black woman!
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