Today we’d like to introduce you to Sanyika Williams.
Hi Sanyika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My mom’s positive perspective on childbirth has always been a source of inspiration for me. She had two unmedicated births and planted the seed for me that an unmedicated birth was something I could also achieve. The documentary ‘Business of Being Born’ opened my eyes to the hospital industry and ignited my rebel-with-a-cause spirit.
Throughout my first pregnancy, I received guidance and support from a team of dedicated midwives. They helped me navigate every step of the process, from prenatal care to the big day itself. I opted for an out-of-hospital birth, which removed the option for an epidural. This was made possible by my mega birth team, which included various members of my family and my doula. Their presence and guidance were crucial during the entire experience, as they provided me with comfort, encouragement, and reassurance every step of the way. My empowering experience created a desire to coach birthing families via support, service, and advocacy in the hospital setting.
Post-birth, I became an unofficial birth ambassador as friends and family sought my advice and assistance during their pregnancies, labors, and postpartum journeys. In 2017, despite my initial hesitation, I was voluntold by a friend that I would be her doula, and it was after everything was said and done and baby had arrived that I had an “Ahha” moment. It was like- Sanyika meet your passion! The next year, I was kicked out of corporate America twice due to layoffs and company closures, and after the second time, I said, “Okay, God, I hear You.” You don’t want me in corporate America. After that, I took the leap of faith and dedicated myself fully to Doula work.
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?
Of course, my journey was not without challenges. I truly believe that there is no success without obstacles or failure, and it is through those hurdles that we learn and grow.
Aside from stepping into a new industry and building a business, starting just a few months before the pandemic brought on a whole new set of challenges. Doulas were no longer allowed in hospitals and many hospitals limited their visitor policies to allow just one or sometimes no visitors at all. I had to navigate finding a less conventional way to meet clients and continue providing support within the hospital setting. It was around this time that there was more attention and news coverage placed on the unexplained and preventable deaths of black pregnant women. As the awareness of these challenges grew, families became concerned about delivering in the hospital with limited family support, and the demand for my services increased rapidly. I have been Doula-ing my heart out since.
Once becoming booked and busy, a new challenge arose- managing my time effectively. Being a doula means living a life on call. One minute you are at a birthday party, the next you are preparing to meet a client at the hospital. As a wife and a mother, I have to be very intentional about how I prepare for my time away from my family. Births can be as short as six hours or as long as thirty-six hours, and as I often tell my clients, it takes as long as it takes. This means keeping a stocked fridge and making sure I have solid childcare- shoutout to the hubs and the grandmas!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a Birth Worker, I hold various titles. My focus is to provide comprehensive support to birthing families during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and early postpartum. As a Birth Doula, I offer physical, emotional, and educational support to help promote a positive birthing experience. My personal goal is ‘Healthy baby, Healthy mom, Nontraumatic birth’. Along with being a Doula, I dabble in various other forms of Birth Work. As a Postpartum Doula, I ‘fill in the gaps’ by helping with household tasks such as laundry, cleaning the kitchen, and washing bottles or pump parts. I also help the family transition into parenthood through infant soothing, lactation support, and baby-wearing. As a Lactation Professional, I draw from my extensive training and personal experience as a mother of two to coach moms through the chestfeeding process. As a Birth Photographer, I capture and edit the sacred moments of childbirth. You have no idea how you look when you are meeting your baby for the first time, so the ability to freeze those moments is priceless. As a Mentor, I guide fellow Birth Workers in building their businesses and overcoming initial challenges.
As a Doula and Birth Photographer, aka Doulatog, I consider myself a ‘Black Unicorn.’ I bring rich experience and a commitment to personalized, non-judgmental care, all provided in a cost-effective and intimate manner.
Throughout my 5-year journey, I’ve successfully built a thriving business that prioritizes supporting moms and families with a focus on meeting the needs of the black community. I take pride in my ability to serve clients both domestically and internationally by offering virtual and in-person services for birth and lactation. I am also proud of the implementation of the Empowering Birth Scholarship, which has benefited dozens of families and emphasizes that doula support is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
In April of 2023, I reached a beautiful milestone of supporting 100 births! I am blessed to have built a career out of a dream and overjoyed by how far I have come as an entrepreneur.
When it comes to birth locations, out-of-hospital births rejuvenate me!
There is something magical about going into somebody’s home and supporting the birthing person through an unmedicated birth to welcome baby Earthside. Leaving the families in a state of bliss and tranquility after the midwives have tucked in mom and baby is a unique experience.
While home births are amazing, 96% of births are in the hospital. Per the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee report, the sad truth is that Black women in Texas die due to pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum-related issues at more than twice the rate of their White counterparts. That being said, most of my births are in the hospital and I am devoted to supporting those families as they navigate the complex healthcare system.
My style of Birth Work is focused on holistic, intentional, personalized care and building lasting relationships with my clients, who become like family to me. My connections with local and global birth professionals create a supportive network for birthing families and are a driving force to my upcoming business expansion that will benefit both Doulas and clients alike. #StayTuned
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
As a business owner, the lessons are infinite. Some are easy lessons; some are hard. These two are noteworthy.
Lesson One: Navigating the realm of Birth Work is not for the weak!
The emotional roller coaster of coming home from a birth, sometimes with smiles and other times in tears, really showed me the need for a strong support system, both physically and mentally. I have always been an advocate for mental health for my clients, and I had to learn to prioritize it for myself as well, in the form of therapy. Releasing that energy is crucial for continuity and without it, burnout may have stopped me.
Lesson Two: You can’t pour from an empty glass!
When I was a newbie Doula, I was hesitant to plan personal time off. I didn’t want to miss any births! Now as a seasoned Doula, I STILL hate to miss a birth, yet I have learned the value of having reliable backup support to balance taking care of myself and my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sanyikathedoula.com
- Instagram: sanyika.the.doula
- Facebook: sanyika.the.doula
Image Credits
Extraordinary Births
Taylor Nathalie Photography
Camille Percy Branding
