Today we’d like to introduce you to Leandra Askew.
Hi Leandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey towards becoming a doula began when I witnessed my first live birth 13 years ago. I was supporting a dear friend through her pregnancy and when the time came to labor she asked me to be present with her sister and husband. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. She was being induced and it was her third pregnancy. I watched in rapture as she gracefully got through her contractions as we chatted and made her laugh. Despite how magical the experience was I couldn’t help but feel how odd the environment for birthing was. It wasn’t organic, welcoming or cozy. Quite the opposite in fact it was as sterile, orchestrated and controlled as any other outpatient procedure at a hospital would be. I realized then when I had my own children, I wanted a different experience. Fast forward four years later, I was pregnant with my first child I chose services with a birth center that would give me a home birth I felt was ideal for me. That labor ended up being almost 30 hours long, and in the end I was transferred to the hospital where my son was born. I thought I had all the support I needed with my husband, mom, midwife’s assistant and midwife. I was wrong.
I was missing a doula who would’ve helped me stay focused, calmed my fears, and suggested optimal positions to help my baby come through. I was laboring all wrong! I hadn’t known of the doula role at that time. Had I hired a doula my son would’ve likely been born at home and my labor wouldn’t have lasted as long.
I then had my second child two years later at a birth center. Armed with the knowledge from my first pregnancy and labor, my second son was born in half the time, but I still didn’t have a doula. Again, that role was not something I understood the value of at the time. I thought I was fine until I got the baby blues. I couldn’t recognize it until my husband pointed out how much I had changed. A doula providing me with postpartum care would have been able to help with that.
Three years later, I was pregnant with twins and I knew this pregnancy and labor was going to be different. For one, I was 37 (considered advanced maternal age despite stellar health) and I was having multiples so no birth center or home birth for me this time. I was trying to avoid a cesarean because one of my babies was in a breech position (feet first). I was told it was still possible to deliver naturally but few doctors would attempt it. At 37 weeks, one of the doctors at the clinic told me I needed to make an appointment for my cesarean right away because “spots were filling up since Thanksgiving was right around the corner”. That made me so angry I chose to leave that clinic immediately and switch care to a practice who would honor my wishes. I had to advocate for myself despite the fear mongering. I had the twins two days later in the hospital naturally and the nurses and doctors honored all my wishes. It was a high I will never forget.
Having gone through such varied birthing and postpartum experiences, I understood the value of a doula at each. I should’ve had one each time and I didn’t because I tried to justify why I’d be ok without one. I also have a personality where I question everything and I don’t go along with things that disagree with my spirit. Fortunate for me, I was able to advocate for myself.
Once my twins were a little older, I decided it was time to become a doula. I developed a bug for the birthing world and a passion to help WOC because of the disparaging rates of maternal mortality among us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. When you have a family and you decide to work in the birthing world, you need a village to help you when you’re at births. I waited until we moved closer to family so I could rely on their support in the event I had a birth to attend and needed childcare. I also took my training right before the pandemic hit. It was difficult to maneuver around the hospital policies that were constantly changing. Clients were dealing with additional anxiety because of the implications of said policies. Sometimes it was hard navigating being safe around my clients with a mask on. I’m an expressive person and the mask clearly gets in the way of that. I look forward to restrictions being lifted at the hospitals for those who choose to birth there. Support (especially professional) shouldn’t be limited for any birthing person.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always had a strong desire to give back to the community. I’m a volunteer with One Heart for Women and Children here in Orlando. I help them in their thrift store where 100% of their proceeds go towards helping their clients.
I’m also the Orlando Chapter Lead Doula with Project Teen Birth. This nonprofit organization focuses on providing pregnant teens with all manor of pregnancy, labor and postpartum support/education.
I’m also a moderator for Black Moms of Orlando. A Facebook group which was started to facilitate meaningful connections in the community among Black mothers and their family. We have hosted countless events and provided care to many moms in need.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
In general, I’m not a risk-taker when it comes to most things. Being safe is comfortable. However when it comes to my body, my pregnancy and my choices, some would consider me a risk-taker. Having a failed home birth that ended up in a transfer to the hospital can be considered risky (and even reckless by some). I don’t agree because I did not put my child or myself in danger. I understood the risks of a home birth. I was comforted knowing should anything go wrong, I could get to the hospital quickly. I did just that and my baby and I were safe.
The same is true with my decision to switch my care so late into my pregnancy with the twins. I was aware of my health status and the ability to birth a breech baby safely. Just because the doctor I had wasn’t willing to do it and felt a cesarean was the best way didn’t mean I had to go with that option. I took the “risk” to leave and seek another opinion because I knew what I was asking for was absolutely possible. No amount of fear mongering has swayed me when it comes to choices like these. I want to empower others in the same way so they are informed and comfortable with the “risks” they take.
Contact Info:
- Email: lionessrisingdoulaservices@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/lionessrisingdoulaservices
- Facebook: facebook.com/lionessrisingdoula
Image Credits:
All photos in the additional photos are mine and I have photo release from the parents to post.
Photo credit to @photosbyramona for the profile pic of me pregnant.
