Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Rice-Hayes.
Hi Beverly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I think my journey to becoming a doula started with my first child. Although I was 18 when I had him, I was a senior in high school. All of my cousins got to see me conquer motherhood, and they asked me for advice when it was their turn. My second pregnancy was very traumatic due to pre-eclampsia. I had no education of this condition and was far too young to be having these complications. It was fully preventable in retrospect. This resulted in a c-section and 3 subsequent c-sections.
Here I am 5 kids later. After going to cosmetology school, medical assisting school, and working call center jobs, I could never connect with anything outside of being a mother.
I knew I wanted to help people. I knew I didn’t want to go through more school.
I just didn’t know what to do until…someone asked me have I looked into being a doula! Then, I started my research. Once I realized I could prevent women from the things I went through during pregnancy, I found my purpose and my passion.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been rough, but worth it. My higher self knew what I needed to get to this point. I’ve been a victim of too many things to count: abuse from childhood to relationships, divorce, and flat-out broke. I’ve been broken.
I had undiagnosed ADHD for years, and executive dysfunction left me trapped in my own head, although I knew what I wanted to do at last.
After my divorce in 2021, I started healing, finally moved into the city limits, and started meeting the right people.
After I got my Certification in 2023, I got 6 clients! 2024 has been just as promising.
My children have always been my motivation, and my partner has been my compass.
I’m very grateful for the journey here.
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?
I’m a Full Spectrum Doula, studying to be a Midwife, and I make yoni steams to improved vaginal health. I do, however, work with a non-profit organization called Gulf Coast Doula Coalition, which provides low-cost/no-cost doula services for those who may not have the means.
You have to be passionate about birthwork to do it. It’s so rewarding but has its challenges especially when it comes to loss.
I handle a lot of High-Risk pregnancies, as I’ve had several in my own pregnancies.
The bonds I have with my clients have been a surrogate sisterhood in a way. And I love every single one of them!
This work, birthwork, is so important because we don’t have full bodily autonomy due to laws and hospital policies; the c-sections and complication rates are too high, even more so for BIPOC women.
Houston’s birthing community has his the ground running. I’ve seen my fellow doulas use their own money just to bring awareness and resources to the mothers of our communities. I’m proud of us!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Evidence-Based Birth (EBB) is such a great website for finding facts about what works for pregnant women and what doesn’t. Canva is a lifesaver. I get my business cards and designs from there.
The Pattern is an astrology app I love. When my energy is off, I always look there to see what’s in the cosmos.
The Irth App is so clever! Here, you can look at real testimonies from real mothers about hospital care they received in pregnancy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.5Keybeginnings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5keybeginnings?igsh=MXB4dWQ0ZzE3c2htcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/KYQyCA4najA?si=uHgriijaA6B_Ox6g
