Today we’d like to introduce you to Prinscilla Moore.
Prinscilla, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have four daughters, all but my firstborn was delivered by C-section. After the birth, she was taken to the NICU immediately because Doctors wanted to make sure she was healthy, due to me having a fever during the last stage of labor. I didn’t see her for over 24 hours. My husband brought me pictures of her while I just waited in my room to figure out what was going on with her. Finally, a social worker came in questioning me and asked why I haven’t gone down to visit my daughter. I told her because no one has told me where she was. A nurse took me to visit my daughter and the first image I have of her is an IV in her foot and her hair shaved off in the front. I was so furious, no one asked me anything. I felt helpless, scared, angry, all kinds of emotions ran through me. I remember going home without her and feeling as if I didn’t have a child. I didn’t realize I was going through postpartum depression or postpartum mood disorder. I felt so disconnected from her. I remember not wanting children again. It took me eight years to even think about having another child. I will never forget how I felt after my first birth. After the birth of my 3rd child, I had a very close friend that was expecting her first child. After the delivery of her baby, three days later she died. I remember the hurt and anger I felt, I couldn’t understand how someone so healthy and did everything right could die after childbirth. This hurt still sits with me today.
Fast forward to 2011, my sister in law told me about becoming a Postpartum Doula. I researched it and found it to be just what I was designed to do. I was already working with families to care for the elderly. But this was taking care of mothers and babies, something I could relate to. I began my training as a Postpartum Doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) and started helping families right away. I know how important it is for mothers to recover and bond with their babies. Helping family’s transition into parenthood brought me joy beyond measure. But then I started to quickly realize that there is a community of mothers that need this service, can benefit from these services, and most importantly save a life from having this kind of service. Yet they cannot afford it, mostly women of color. I began to research and work with organizations that supported women in marginalized communities in Detroit.
I moved to North Texas in 2016 and continued my research and expanded my organization to a non-profit to reduce the Maternal and Infant Mortality rate in North Dallas Texas. This is where I belong, my passion is to save our mothers and babies from dying after childbirth. Our mothers should have resources available to them and given the support, they need to survive the first year after childbirth. This is my fight and I strive every day to make a difference.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not been smooth. Supporting mothers during the postpartum period can be challenging. There are a lot of emotions that moms go through and we have to be prepared to handle them. Building a non-profit is challenging because donors and outsiders have to see your why. Why is our organization mission important and we have to drive that message home. Mothers in the community don’t trust so easily, so you have to meet them where they are and have empathy. It’s a long road, but I plan to stay the course.
Please tell us about your organization.
Our company started in 2011 helping families transition into parenthood. Today, we are a non-profit specializing in Postpartum Doula support and educating mothers on postpartum recovery, baby care, postpartum mood disorders, and life after baby. This is a free service to mothers in marginalized communities who otherwise wouldn’t receive this assistance. This service is what I’m most proud of because I’m saving lives. There are Birth Doula organizations that are saving mothers as well, however, we are only focusing on the 4th trimester, after the baby comes. All of our services are geared towards baby care and mothers’ recovery.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is God waking me up every day to make a difference in someone else life. My life is not my own. I have a greater purpose. If I can save one life, If I can help one mom through postpartum depression, If I can help support a mom in understanding her baby, If I can hold a mom and support her while she is crying and breaking down, If those tears become tears of joy, I am successful and that is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://delightedtodoula.com/delighted-to-doula-goal366/
- Phone: 248-445-0126
- Email: delightedtodoula366@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delightedtodoula/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delightedtodoula
- Twitter: @delight2doula
- Other: www.delightedtodoula.com
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