152 | The Other Side- Yasmin Baskin

Birth Stories in Color

Yasmin had a natural inclination to work with babies at an early age. She thought she would be a gynecologist or pediatrician; the pain of seeing sick children shifted her career plans. She became a teacher instead, and her love for being an educator was helpful when choosing birth work. After training in birth and postpartum work, she included lactation and even explored a path to midwifery.

Yasmin has noticed how hard women can be on themselves from her experience as a mother and a birth worker. Remembering her personal vulnerabilities informs her practice regarding the need for patience, gentleness, and compassionate care.

Working with Pacify has amplified the educational component of her doula experience. She can work with families through the app and can address prenatal questions and concerns. The ability to touch more lives via lactation and doula support through this medium blows her mind. It is not lost on her when she greets a Black or Brown parent who is excited to see someone who looks like them. Acknowledging parents that call Pacify that are Black and using doula support and breastfeeding resources is important to her. Black families are among the lowest demographic to initiate breast/chestfeeding. The lack of diversity in the lactation field partially contributes to this statistic.

When women have a baby, it may be the only time in their lives that people offer unsolicited help. Yasmin encourages new parents to ask about their family traditions surrounding birth and postpartum and for help with unexpected needs. Many cultures report healing practices about maintaining warmth in the birth giver's body and staying home in the first 40 days after birth. These traditions are major keys to Yasmin’s postpartum practice; she shares them with virtual and in-person clients.

Her doula journey continues to unfold; Yasmin is grateful to add her time with Pacify as priceless work. She feels supported by the team and valued as they provide a consumer-driven service and a space for doulas to make a difference for new parents and for their work to be deemed necessary.

Resources:

The Milk Doula (Yasmin Baskin) | lactation and postpartum support

The Birthing Place | a center for health wellness and family

Sponsors:

Pacify Health | virtual, value-based maternal and pediatric care

Pacify Health is the leading provider of virtual, value-based maternal and pediatric care. The Pacify tech-enabled platform provides 24/7 perinatal and infant feeding support to new and expecting parents via their smartphones. The Pacify app connects families to a nationwide network of doulas, lactation consultants, and registered nurses within minutes, reducing costs and improving outcomes for managed care organizations, public health programs, health systems and employers.