It Takes a Village Ministries VA

Thank you to the dads and father figures that make up our village, too! We are grateful for the ways you show up in a way only you can.

Honored to walk along side you with your journey into motherhood. I hope today is a day where you feel seen, loved, and heard. Happy Mother’s Day!

Not local to the greater Richmond area? Still seeking support? No problem! We offer virtual options as well for childbirth education, birth support, and postpartum. Because everyone deserves a doula, no matter our distance.

Send us a DM to learn more.

We look forward to serving you and your growing family!

🌼 New Availability!

Expecting soon? Recently had a bundle of joy? We would love to serve your family by providing either childbirth education, birth support, or postpartum support. Openings now available for this summer and early fall!

All consultations are free.

Got questions? Want to learn more? Feel free to send us a DM or send us an email from the link in our bio. Can’t wait to work with you!

What a privilege and an honor to have hosted a Mardi Bras party this year (for maybe the 5th or 6th time) to serve the beautiful women of Richmond. It’s always such a sweet time of fellowship. Special thanks to Karen and Becky for this gorgeous spread, and Jul for sharing her story with us. 💜⚜️

You can still donate now until the end of the month. Feel free to send us a message and we can provide more details.

doula ✨

noun
1. A support person, usually female, who may not have medical or midwifery training, who provides emotional assistance to a mother or pregnant couple before, during or after childbirth.
2. An assistant (often the father of the soon-to-be-born child) who provides support for a woman in labor by encouraging her to use techniques learned in childbirth-preparation classes.
Had the pleasure of assisting a family bring their fourth child into the world this afternoon. Cue the happy cry. 🥹 The OB spoke with me about - not knowing anything about me or what I’ve called this work - how birth-work really does take a village when bringing new life into the world. A village. A team of love and support championing you. What an honor it is to do this; to be a part of this.

There is no greater love than the love of our Father. 💕

We’ve reached that time of year again! ⚜️

We are partnering with a local ministry called Into The Neighborhood for their annual event, Mardi Bras to raise funds, awareness, and donations for women that are incarcerated, experiencing homelessness, and in recovery get the feminine products they need.

Including:
-new bras (with or without underwire, all sizes)
-gently used bras (with or without underwire, all sizes)
-new white wireless sports bras (all sizes)
-new underwear (all sizes)
-tampons, pads, panty liners (opened or unopened packages for all flows)

Drop off is any day or time. No appointment required.

Enjoy from now, until the end of the year 10% off your order from Olive Forest Design using the code: YEAREND23. See link in bio.

Ask about end of year discounts for doula and birth education services! We want to serve you and your family as you get ready for your little one because it really does take a village.

In case you were wondering, every woman deserves a doula. 🌻

Buy your own shirt to support this ministry with the link in my bio. ⬆️

Donor milk needed in Richmond.

LET’S DOULA THIS. 🚼

I’ve started to add to my Olive Forest Design store. All the money earned will go towards furthering my education as a future Community Centered Doula serving women and families in Northside RVA and recovery. Though I am trained as a traditional doula (birth education, birth, and postpartum and accepting clients), I still have more class requirements for my final goal., which costs a pretty penny.

Every bit helps! Link to the store in bio. ⬆️

🤱NEW OPPORTUNITIES

I have been offered a certification in lactation consultation by a local organization training doulas all over the world. To pursue this I would love the support of my own village to get me there! Every woman deserves a doula to support, cheer you on, and provide the education needed to thrive as a mother. With this added certification, I can continue to better provide for my clients. I designed this shirt (and more) you can check out at my new store.

Link in bio. ⬆️ (Olive Forest Designs)

How long were you able to breastfeed your baby? 🤱🏻

Whether you breastfed for a week, a month, a year, or more, you've given your baby the gift of liquid gold. 🏆 The benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to long-term nursing! Breastmilk plays a crucial role in developing the healthy bacteria in your baby's gut, protecting against various infections, and even providing health benefits for you, mama!✨

So no matter the duration of your nursing journey, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. You've given your little one the gift of the very best start in life! 💖

Can you believe it?! 🙌 We’re honored to be on PublicSq. Find us and follow us! We want to serve you and your families.

OH BABY!! 🍼👶 On average, only 10% of expecting couples take any form of childbirth education, which leaves them feeling unprepared, confused, and hopeless when it all actually happens. Get the birth story you want by preparing your family in the best way you can!
Officially providing childbirth classes for both private classes and group sessions. Send us a DM to learn more.

Happy Father’s Day to all of dads and dad-likes that complete our village. We are grateful.

Life with your own littles: always studying in whatever moments you can.
Now accepting clients for birth and/or postpartum. Not sure what a doula does? I would gladly answer all your questions! Not sure if I may be a good fit for your family? Consultations are always free! Not sure about the cost? I accept payment plans because this kind of care is worth it!

We see you! However you want to celebrate, I pray that it is peaceful.

👶INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE🍼

This celebration is near and dear to my heart because of the incredible, compassionate, dedicated, and loving midwives that brought our youngest into this world. I have never felt so seen, heard, and understood than when having our appointments, asking questions, and even having them come into my own home for labor and birth. This is the kindness and gentleness I want every woman to experience when brining life into the world. How beautiful and strong these women are! Forever grateful!
Cue the theme song to Call the Midwife.

What an honor it is to be your mama. We have loved you a year and yet it has felt more like a lifetime. It is with great joy to watch you grow and thrive everyday. Your brother may be the one that sparked the fire for this journey, but you are the one that has helped keep it alive.
Shout out to the village that got us here! 💕

🚧UNDER CONSTRUCTION🚧

Our website is currently making updates to the services page and everything we’re hoping to provide once May arrives. Thank you for your patience!
If you still would like to check out our website, you’re welcome to follow the link in the bio and DM me for the site password.

Excuse me as I go cry about an orangutan’s breastfeeding journey. 🥹🦧

Orangutan Learns How to Nurse from Breastfeeding Zookeeper Zoe the orangutan needed help breastfeeding after failing to nurse her first baby. Zookeepers worked with her tirelessly to kickstart her maternal instincts....

FEATURE FRIDAY: grateful for The Northside Outreach Ctr as one of the homes of our operation right in the heart of the neighborhood we serve. They are also a host to many other ministries that serve the community including a thrift store, men’s support group, after school programming, monthly food pantry, and more! We believe in finding ways to serve the whole family.

🌎WORLD DOULA WEEK🌸

🤰Birth Doulas provide the physical and emotional support to women and families before, during, and immediately after birth. Ask to learn more about how we serve!

🤱Postpartum Doulas provide the emotional and organizational support to women and families after baby arrives and during major transitions. Ask to learn more about how we serve!

And perfect timing that World Doula Week is going on now as I am continuing my own education as a doula this week. Honored to love and serve the families of RVA because no one should go through birth and postpartum alone.

Interested in learning more about birth? Need support for your own birth? Looking for assistance at home as you transition? Send me a DM or check out my website.

Link in bio 👆

Getting started on my postpartum training this week and I have some extra help, too. Grateful to learn more ways to serve our mothers and families!

🌼NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS🌼

Starting May 2023, I will be available to start practicing as a trained doula for birth education, labor, and postpartum. Let me know how I can best serve you!
I am still working towards getting officially DONA certified and having my Community Centered Doula license. In addition to doula services, I am still offering Postpartum BaskNests and Nesting Parties.

Here we go again! This time I will add birth education to what I can offer to women and families.
Wild Facts: only 10% of couples take any kind of birth education to prepare.