PROGRAMS
BIRTH DOULAS
A Birth Doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides continuous emotional, physical, and educational support to an individual who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help birthing people have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.
PARENT COMPANION
A Parent Companion is a professional who supports individuals or families during after labor, birth, and/or loss/termination of a pregnancy. They provide unbiased, evidence based information, resources, and non-judgemental physical and emotional support.
LACTATION SUPPORT
Breastfeeding is a journey. There are ups and downs and feelings of accomplishment and frustration. We’re there to help every step of the way, no matter what stage of the breastfeeding journey you’re in.
CLASSES & EDUCATION
From Lactation Education courses to Childbirth Education courses, we offer education for new parents and birth workers alike. Our classes are taught by experienced instructors who are there to ensure you have the knowledge needed to succeed.
Birth Doulas
A Birth Doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides continuous emotional, physical, and educational support to an individual who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help birthing people have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.
Our doulas provide advocacy on a local, national, and international level for marginalized groups such as people of color and queer people. They also create a culture of trust and autonomy by supporting people through the full spectrum of pregnancy experiences and outcomes. Our doulas provide unbiased support for all reproductive experiences without judgement while offering education and resources that are vital, but not commonly given.
Doula-assisted births boast many benefits. Clients report increased knowledge of options and resources, reduced use of pain relief medications, shorter labor, higher chances of successful breast/chestfeeding, and a reduction in c-sections. There are emotional benefits to choosing a doula-assisted birth including less stress and anxiety during labor, less postpartum mood disorders, increased partner involvement and, generally, more positive childbirth experiences.
When you choose a doula from For The Village, you can trust that your doula has been trained in full spectrum, trauma-centered, and inclusive care. Each FTV birth includes a trained doula, 2 prenatal visits to meet your doula and create your birth plan, birth attendance and continuous support during your entire labor and delivery, and 2 postpartum visits to check in with your doula following the birth of your child. Learn if you are eligible for our free doula services by scheduling an appointment with our Program Manager, Venice Cotton.
Parent Companions
A Parent Companion is a professional who supports individuals or families during after labor, birth, and/or loss/termination of a pregnancy. They provide unbiased, evidence based information, resources, and non-judgemental physical and emotional support.
Parent companions are experienced and trained in trauma centered, culturally sensitive, advocacy based care and communication practices that guide our community members to navigate into and through their post pregnancy window feeling empowered, supported, and equipped to lead their own postpartum experience with more positive outcomes.
Our Parent Companions are trained to deliver excellent care while providing education, resources, and emotional support to marginalized groups especially people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Should you be interested in having a parent companion to help with postpartum planning and execution, please fill out our Parent Companion Form linked below.
Lactation Support
What we offer:
- Virtual Lactation Support Class (English & Spanish)
- Virtual Lactation support from a Certified Lactation Expert (CLE) and International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLC)
- Support with paying for CLE/IBCLC services
- Support with paying for breast/chest pumps
For more information, please fill out our linked Lactation Support request form.
Classes & Education
At For The Village, we strive to create better opportunities for education for all. Currently, we offer a Lactation Education class as well as a Childbirth Education class that will give a better understanding of both subjects to new parents and doulas in training. Registration for our April Childbirth Education class and May Lactation Education class are both open! You can register below.
PARTNERS
Healthy Start
Global Communities provides free prenatal and childbirth education, postpartum and breastfeeding support, with a focus on Black families and immigrants in San Diego County.
San Diego Community Birth Center
Birth centers can be a fantastic middle-ground option for many families that would like to have evidence-based, culturally competent and fully informed holistic care.