I'm sitting in a warm, light-filled church on a Saturday morning, surrounded by a group of doulas in training. Two toddlers are also in attendance, babbling and wandering in between the pews.
A doula is a trained non-medical professional who provides support to a pregnant person throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. Myla Perry, the veteran doula in charge, asks the group why they want to become doulas.
"I didn't want women to go through what I went through," replied one mom, to nods of agreement around the room. Another wrestles her phone back from Carter, her toddler, before expressing her desire to support other Black moms through pregnancy, just as Perry had done for her.
Perry is one of the five doulas from Cincinnati who I interviewed for my story, which felt like a rare opportunity to cover a solution to a maternal mortality crisis that has existed for over a century. Research shows that doulas are life as well as cost-saving for moms who die from often preventable causes related to pregnancy.
Among the group of doulas in training - which includes a nursing student and a certified lactation counselor - many have stories of life-threatening complications while giving birth. They want to become doulas to help prevent them.
Perry leads the group through a pelvic rocking exercise to help a relieve a pregnant mom's back pain and issues a series of reminders: Be flexible when plans change. Peppermint helps with nausea. And include the dad during home visits with your client.
"Evidence tells us that when the partners are feeling supported," she says, "They are more involved."
It's not a church service, but with the focus on breaking generational curses, the training somewhat feels like one.