Hi my name is Ivana Thomas and I am a Holistic Birth and Postpartum Doula certified through Bellies to Babies Holistic Care LLC since 2022. I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with a Master's Degree from Nova Southeastern University. After my daughter was diagnosed with a severe tongue tie, I began to grow my passion surrounded around oral motor therapy to help mothers have a successful breastfeeding journey.  In my free time I love playing with my beautiful daughter, practicing yoga, reading, taking care of my plants, making essential oil blends. Being a black indigenous woman of color has increased my awareness of the institutionalized  racism that women who look just like me experience. Research has shown BIPOC are 2-6x more likely to die during childbirth and postpartum. The numbers are even higher in certain parts of the country. The death of Black and Brown mothers and babies are not a new discovery, but the CDC report of maternal deaths release in 2017 made headlines. As a doula of color, it is important to me that I am involved in this change. My goal is to educate all of my clients to make informed decisions regarding their care while advocating for change in our communities. Yes, I believe that ALL women deserve to have the birth they desire; I am just sharing my story for why I chose to be a doula. My goal is to never turn any woman down regardless of her race, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic status.