Founder Celia Roach of Maternal Thraed on Better Maternal Care for Black Women
She shares the importance of community for black women.
ES: Why was it important for you to start Maternal thræd?
It was important for me to start thræd because, quite frankly, lives depend on it. The lives of mothers and their babies. Knowledge is power–– I truly believe that. And, getting the thread of information, resources, and support out to birthing families that will allow them to exercise more autonomy over the entire childbirth continuum, prenatally through post-birth, is life-changing.
ES: What has been challenging about the business?
CR: Witnessing unfavorable health outcomes for mom and/or baby has been most challenging. As a birth worker and a mom, I am personally invested and connected to the health and wellbeing of the families and babies I support, and want nothing more than to see them healthy and thriving throughout this journey, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case. As a doula, it is our job to see to it, that where unfavorable outcomes can be prevented, they are, through advocacy, empowering and equipping birthing families with the educational, informational, physical and emotional support they need.
ES:What did you notice in the community that made you start the organization?
CR: I noticed the community was void of the exact thing it was meant to provide: community. There is a lack of support for birthing families: mom-centered care, elders sharing wisdom, basic body knowledge and trusting enough in our bodies to lead with intuition during this life-changing time. Thræd’s focus is to provide support for mothers at all stages and ages, from teens to mature moms and meet them where their needs are, as well as, where there is ease in communicating and showing up for themselves to receive support, which is virtually.
ES: Why do women need your product or service?
CR: Doula support––educational, informational, physical and emotional support provided to birthing families, has been associated with improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Doulas help save lives. Period.
ES: How does America treat Black women when pregnant or when in need of maternal care?
CR: It is clear what isn’t being done when in need of maternal care, which is being listened to, and provided adequate support for women by women who, like them, understand their specific needs on various levels–– culturally, socially, emotionally, just to name a few. It is this reason why thræd partners and provides maternal health support to organizations specifically addressing maternal health inequities in these communities.
