Mission Doula for Immigrant Moms

My name is Rosa Simon, a Herndon-Reston community volunteer for the last fifteen years. I am currently dedicated to my mission as a Doula for immigrant moms, at no cost, and I am committed to continuing with the same mission for the entire year with the hope to continue for more years.

22 years ago, I was a new mom who faced the trauma of being alone in a foreign country whose language I did not speak, without anyone to advocate for me during the birthing process. I never clearly knew what procedures were done until I had my second baby. I was forced to go back to work at the end of my third week post-cesarean delivery as I did not have anyone to provide a meal, housing or diapers and no guidance on local family resources.

As a Spanish speaking community volunteer, I have the benefit to communicate better with new immigrant families including pregnant moms who have expressed their fears openly with me. Some of these moms will wait until very late in their pregnancy to make their first prenatal appointment as they are very insecure and afraid to agree on things they don't understand or are not familiar with.

After long interviews with these women, I have been able to find out that these moms don't feel comfortable talking to medical staff, asking questions, or even finding out the status of their babies during their consultations. They never know what to expect during labor or their right to ask about how the doctors will proceed. The doctor's decisions weren't explained to them--they didn't know what was being done to them, and they were too afraid to speak up. When their husbands, who are also immigrants, had the opportunity to be in the delivery room, they were also afraid to talk or ask questions out of fear.

Translators are available, but their role doesn't go beyond translation--they don't advocate for the parents to make their own decisions. These moms and dads are an underserved group who are often overlooked in traditional doula services. Many of them do not have birth or postpartum education including knowledge of procedures or medications that may be administered during the delivery. They lack postpartum and breastfeeding information and support.

For many years I worked with moms and newborns who have all the benefits that immigrant mothers do not, but I saw how difficult it still is even having all the resources on hand. I heard from mothers who had the privilege of hiring a doula, that they benefited from getting the support they need before, during and after childbirth. This made me realize how helpful a Doula could be for less privileged mothers, especially in helping them to be treated as equals. I am able to offer emotional and spiritual support as well. This encouraged me to serve them and help them prepare for delivery day and the first two weeks after getting back home.

In October of 2022, I had this mission already planted in my heart when I received a phone call from a family friend to give me the first push to start this mission by helping me earn my official doula certification and I was able to start caring for expecting immigrant moms right away.

As of February 2023, I've helped six moms and I've met even more expectant mothers that are in need of my services. However, in order for me to keep going on with this mission, I had to stop working. After four months of working on this mission without compensation, I find myself in need of financial support to keep serving in this important mission for the immigrant community.

Doulas in Northern Virginia, where I'm located, typically charge up to $2,200 per mom and baby. I serve expectant immigrant moms in Reston and Herndon for FREE and my goal for 2023 is to serve more moms in the area and expand to Sterling and Ashburn.

This mission is given to me by God. There's a great spiritual need for support during this pivotal moment in a mom's life, which often allows them to reflect on the miracle of life and their great need for help. At such a vulnerable time, with all the challenges new moms face before, during, and after labor, I believe it's essential to support moms with hope and trust in Jesus.

My greatest need is to be able to pay for my housing, pay for basic bills, and groceries. Would you consider donating to help financially support me so that I can in turn serve these immigrant mothers in our community?