Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Luttrell.
Hi Tiana , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began when I became pregnant with my first child. I didn’t understand much about the birth world. My understanding was the typical what you see on tv (go to the hospital and have the baby). I thought I was well prepared, and even had a birth plan. Little did I know, it would be one of the defining moments that would change my life in ways I’d never know.
I unfortunately was abused by a broken obstetric system, ignored, gaslit, and nearly lost my life at the hands of a doctor who saw me as an inconvenience. Every part of my birth plan was disregarded, and when I said “no” to something, I was ignored. I unfortunately hemorrhaged two weeks later due to the doctor tearing my placenta (I witnessed this) and leaving a lot of it retained inside me. I had to have an emergency surgery to remove it. After this happened, I plunged into the deepest Postpartum Depression imaginable. I got to the point of feeling suicidal, and knew there had to be more to this all. There had to be more to pregnancy and birth.
I began to research like crazy; consuming as much as I could about pregnancy and birth. I learned that I was one among many women who have experienced a traumatic birth at the hands of the obstetric system. There were many reasons why so many women like myself have experienced birth trauma, and why the US has one of the highest maternal/fetal death rates of any of the developed countries. Birth is seen as a medical event, nearly always emergent, and has to be actively managed with many unecessary interventions. The truth of it is, birth is not a medical event that needs to be managed at every turn. It is a physiological, normal process. The female body is incredible, and was designed perfectly to birth babies. As a Christian I believe in God’s design for pregnancy and birth to be a natural event, not a medical emergency; (this is not to say that there arent times where true emergencies require medical intervention, but every single birth does not need active management and unecessary interventions).
When I became pregnant with my second baby, I was determined to have my redemption birth. I found a midwife that aligned with my vision, and I made the choice to birth at home, in my bedroom; 100% physiologically. Allowing my body to experience labor and birth the way I knew God designed it, was the most incredible experience of my life. In calming low light, worship music playing, just my husband by my side, I moved how I felt led, and tuned in to my primal side. The pain was not what you’d see on tv where women scream in excruciating pain. I was laughing, smiling, and talking in between contractions. I knew exactly when I needed to be in my final birth position, and my daughter came out so fast I wasn’t even expecting it. I pulled her to my chest and held her there with tears flowing. No gloved hands rubbed her aggressively or pulled her away to poke and prod her. Just her upon my chest, my husband by my side, and my midwife sharing the joyous moment with us. It altered my very being.
That experience led me to realize my true passion; to be the birth support and education so many women need but are lacking. I realized I wanted to turn my passion into a career, so I got triple certified as a Birth and Postpartum Doula and a Childbirth Educator. To help women realize their true power and potential and make informed choices for their best birth and postpartum, gives me life and purpose. Women deserve better, and Doulas are the ones to help bridge the gap in the birth world. Whatever a woman chooses for her birth, (be it hospital, birth center, home birth, etc.) It is my job to inform her of her right and choices; along with every risk/benefit. Informed consent is lacking, but I’m changing that.
I am the owner of Knitted in Grace Doula Care, and it is my honor to walk alongside women in their journeys as they step into motherhood. I’ll hold her hand and whisper encouragement in her ear. I will be the one to lighten her load in the tough postpartum times. Women are my passion, and Iam so blessed to be in the position I am. I would love to walk with you, too, should you ever need a Doula in your corner.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It can be challenging, as the world is so accustomed to the standard view of pregnancy and birth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, and a Childbirth Educator. I provide physical, emotional, and informative birth support. Postpartum I care for the mother in her most vulnerable state by helping her with baby, household tasks, meal prepping, breastfeeding education, and anything else she may need. I offer Childbirth Education unlike the standard classes you take at a hospital; such that I inform FULLY of every single option, intervention and all the risks/benefits that come with it. I also educate the father so he can be confident and involved in the birth process; an active role unlike the stigma of a dad sleeping on a couch.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Never stop learning! There is ALWAYS ways to improve yourself and your skills. Take classes, read books, join groups, go to conferences or trainings. Be open to listening without opinion. Be there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://knittedingracedoula.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: knittedingrace_doula
- Facebook: Knitted In Grace Doula Care
