Traditionally, the role of a Doula has been associated with women.
Doulas receive specialized training to provide support for pregnant women.
James and Shunquita Hogue welcomed their first child into the world three years ago.
They opted for the assistance of a midwife and, after thorough investigation, determined that a natural home birth was their preferred choice.
James Hogue shared that his wife faced complications, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, about six to eight weeks before their scheduled due date.
According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, Preeclampsia, a severe type of high blood pressure, is 60% more prevalent in Black women than in white women.
Shunquita Hogue expressed that it is a common occurrence to reflect on situations and wonder if there was anything that could have been done differently. However, she acknowledges that sometimes things simply happen and there may not have been any other course of action. As she puts it, “Things happen the way it happens.”
Shunquita, an expectant mother, had to make a difficult decision for the safety of her first baby. Changing to a Plan B was the best choice for both her and her son.
James Hogue expressed that he had to engage in direct discussions with medical staff on multiple occasions to ensure that his wife received the appropriate level of care.
Hogue gained a profound understanding of the challenges women face during childbirth through this experience.
“I don’t want to switch sides or roles,” he said, acknowledging the hard work they are putting in.
Hogue made the decision to alleviate the burden and underwent training to become a certified birth doula.
The impact of his actions on his wife’s emotions was profound, leaving her speechless.
“It made me feel safe,” she expressed, reflecting on the experience of being amidst the struggle and having someone advocate for her after investing the effort to comprehend the situation.
Hogue is driven by more than just the desire to support his family.
He runs his own non-profit organization called “Fathers Assisting Mothers” in order to empower men in the Kansas City area to achieve the same level of success.
“We have witnessed numerous accounts and have been made aware of incidents where Black women’s voices have been disregarded in hospital environments,” he stated. “If you are the partner of a Black woman, it is crucial for you to actively participate and ensure that her needs are being properly addressed.”
Father’s Assisting Mothers is offering a four-week dad doula boot camp for soon-to-be fathers, which will commence on Saturday, April 20th.
