Support is not a luxury: How the Momager Collective in Virginia is making doula support accessible to all
When Taja Iglesias, a young BIPOC girl with a Spanish last name, gave birth in southern Florida over a decade ago, she had no idea that her experience would inspire her to create a doula agency that would support families in the U.S. and beyond. In our interview, she spoke about that first birth. “The only person who really listened to me was a truly empathetic black nurse who snuck me food even when the doctors told me I wasn’t allowed to eat.” It was not long after this experience that Taja knew she needed to help others. She needed to be that saving grace that she had experienced in the hospital.
Epsy was stillborn at 24 weeks due to Turner Syndrome.
Taja’s second birth to angel baby Esperanza sadly ended in her having to say goodbye to her baby too soon. Again, in the hospital she didn’t receive the support she deserved. “It was like I was made of glass. They didn’t want to talk to me.. they were like, are you okay? Okay we’re gonna leave you in this room by yourself. No one was actually being a comfort.” And yet again Taja thought, “I have got to do something about the lack of support that exists around birth.”
“At least here in the states, maternity leave, parental leave, paternity leave, it’s all focused on “you can take this time to prepare to go back to work,” and not on what it originally stems from which is up to 90 days shut in in some cultures. We’re supposed to not do anything but bond, and stay warm, and eat healing foods and you know, spend that time really truly allowing your body to do what it’s supposed to do and connect and become in tune with that baby.”
Taja swiftly completed her doula studies with StillBirthday, National Black Doulas Association, and the International Placenta and Postpartum Association. As a birth and postpartum doula, Taja soon realized that she couldn’t do it alone. Clients needed warm meals, childcare, and a guide as they found their footing in the world of work as a parent. With a special place in her heart for black and brown families, families in marginalized communities, and fellow members of the LBGTQ2s+ community, Taja founded The Momager Co. so that people could be matched with doulas with a similar background. Clients in financial need may apply for discounted or free services. They are always looking for new doulas, and are able to match doulas with clients in the U.S. and abroad.
The Momager Co. is currently working to support the NOVA Community Doula Project, a program that provides training and state certification for community doulas so that their support will be covered by Medicaid, the United States public healthcare system.
The Global Doula Project was honored to support The Momager Co. in 2023 with two doula grants of 1000 USD each so that clients in financial need can experience the power of doula support.
Thank you Taja and everyone at The Momager Co. for your dedication and passion to support families during the sacred and intense time around birth.
Here you will find two videos of my interesting conversation with Taja. In the first she tells about her births and how her passion for doula work was born. In the second you’ll learn about community doulas and why it’s so important that doulas share experiences, language, and culture with their clients.
The Global Doula Project is a nonprofit organization supporting doulas and doula collectives all over the world, so that more people can experience the powerful support of a doula at the beginning and end of life. Please consider making a donation to the Doula Grant fund so that more organizations like the Momager Co. can offer discounted or free services for clients in need.
Have you experienced the power of doula support? Please tell us of your experience in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.
