Marissa Yi

Certified Doula through Urban Baby Beginnings

In addition to being a doula, I'm a birthmother and mother, and experienced what prenatal care, labour and delivery, and postpartum care are like without an advocate.

In 2000, I went through my first pregnancy completely alone. I found a couple to adopt my baby, but I went to the prenatal visits by myself. Towards the end of my pregnancy, a stranger took me in, Laurie, so I wouldn't end up going into labour in the middle of nowhere. The couple I found would later adopt another baby "just in case I changed my mind". Laurie helped me find an adoption agency where I would find the future parents of my baby girl, and gave me emotional support during her birth, but I went to all prenatal and postpartum visits by myself, and as a first time mother, I felt completely lost and alone.

During my second pregnancy, I discussed permanent birth control options with my provider and she continually rebuffed me. I finally gave in after she convinced me to wait until my postpartum appointment - at which time I was told, tubal ligation was not an option in their office, but it could have been performed after my baby was delivered. I would now have to seek a private pay option.

Certified through Urban Baby Beginnings, I truly believe in their mission, that everyone deserves a doula to ensure their rights and preferences are adhered to.