We recently had the chance to connect with Amyrah Bates and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amyrah, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is getting my kids up at 6:30am for school, get them on the bus. I usually will go run for a few miles if I don’t have a birth to attend. Then I make my breakfast , have tea and journal. After I head to all my prenatal or postpartum appointments until 4pm. Once my kids are off the bus it’s homework, dinner , baths and bed. I’m a single parent of 3 bright little ones and my days typically revolve around them or my birthing families.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amyrah Bates. I’m the owner is Ase Doula Care. I’ve been a Birth and postpartum Doula for over seven years, including Placenta Encapsulation specialist. My main focus is to help families in my community know their rights and birth the way they choose. I provide support to them during their pregnancy to help them make accurate decisions that work best for their family, I’m present during the birth of their baby to help with labor positions, optimal, positioning for birth, advocating for their rights and also spinning babies techniques. During the fourth trimester, my goal is to help the family adjust make sure they have adequate meals. Their home is clean and the best way to tackle breastfeeding.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believe that you did what you were told, you don’t speak unless you’re spoken to and that you observe, but you remain quiet. As an adult. I’ve learned that it is best to always observe a situation before you give your input always think logically before you think emotionally but also being quiet doesn’t solve the problem. It makes it larger, so always take into consideration every avenue every aspect every view and then stay in firm in your decision say your choice, loud and proud and don’t be ashamed.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been plenty of times I’ve almost given up. After 26 hour birth and a mother hemorrhage and we had to do a lot of fighting back-and-forth to get her what she needed almost quit. When I was pregnant myself attending a three day birth and I was exhausted and I didn’t know how much more I could give. I wanted to quit. When I was left alone to raise three children myself and figure out all their needs on my own I wanted to quit. When my mother passed and I didn’t know how to handle my own trauma and my own grief I wanted to quit. Then I’m reminded every time my children say I’m the best cook, whenever I receive a message from the families that I helped with all their gratitude and thanks for everything. I’ve done for them. Reminds me that I can’t quit because there are people who still need me, even when I can’t find the strength in myself I’m blessed to have people in my corner who remind me it’s there.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That if you don’t have a baby by 40 weeks, then you need to be induced. Most moms on average give birth around 41 weeks most first time mom’s give birth closer to 42 weeks 40 weeks is not the end of B. It is the estimate. An estimate is just a guess plain and simple. So just because you go over your estimated due date, doesn’t mean that your body isn’t doing or won’t do what it’s supposed to do.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I give my best in every situation that I’m in. I don’t need praise to do my job. That’s not what I do it for. I do it because there are people out there who look like me who needs support who need people to advocate for them who need to be reminded that it is their body and they may do with it as they choose. No one else can put their hands on something that belongs to you without your permission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Asedoulacare.com
- Instagram: Ase_Doula_co
- Facebook: Amyrah Bates
