Finding Personal Fulfillment in Birthwork

My name is Charisse Blanks, a busy married mom of three sons and a lifelong Michigander who recently relocated to the Lansing area from Southeast Michigan. While I didn't have a doula during any of my children's births, I've come to realize how invaluable their support could have been in those pivotal moments.

During the birth of my first son, we thought we had prepared ourselves thoroughly by taking the hospital's childbirth education class and reading numerous books on childbirth. Unfortunately, the tension between our midwife and the high-risk OBGYN created an atmosphere of dismissiveness. Having a doula could have empowered us to voice our choices and concerns, making the experience less harrowing. Despite these challenges, we cherish the joyful memories we created with our village's support during the postpartum period. Our friends and family rallied around us, providing food, comfort, and care for both the baby and me, the new mother.

Inspired by this outpouring of love, I began offering similar support to others in my circle, acting as an unofficial doula. Last year, I took the steps to become a trained Birth Doula, expanding my knowledge to better support families during births. While I currently serve as a Birth Doula in the greater Lansing area, I encourage parents to consider engaging Postpartum Doula care, which can be crucial for families adjusting to the rapid changes after birth.

My love for babies dates back to my childhood when I would always offer to help with the infants in our family. Although life took me on a different career path, birth work has allowed me to fulfill another aspect of my purpose—supporting families in a personal, meaningful way. As a Black woman, I'm particularly drawn to birth work due to the maternal health disparities that disproportionately affect birthing persons in my community. I've witnessed too many friends, family members, and peers face situations that could have had different outcomes with better information and support.

My journey as a Doula is driven by my desire to help parents navigate their birth experiences with confidence, comfort, and knowledge. I want parents in our community to have positive, joyful memories of their births. Supporting them in achieving this brings me immense fulfillment and joy.

Contact Charisse at: