New Bedford’s Birthing Village

One of our favorite parts of teaming up with Southcoast Health for our Community Spotlight program is the chance to learn about local organizations with which we haven't yet come into contact.

One of those organizations is Sacred Birthday Village on Rivet Street in New Bedford.  We spoke with Soraya DosSantos, the founder and director of Sacred Birthing Village.

LISTEN:  Sacred Birthing Village Interview on Fun Morning Show

Sacred Birthing Village is a maternal restoration village providing support and care to BIPOC pregnant and birthing individuals in and around the SouthCoast.  "We are here to really engage in this powerful journey and process of witnessing our pregnant and birthing individuals through their most transformative and sacred time through childbirth.

Does SBV Have Doulas?

"I have my training and background as a doula birth worker, but Sacred Birthing Village isn't necessarily a doula organization, however we do have individuals that serve as sister friends within Sacred Birthing Village.  This is this direct peer-to-peer mentorship.  Many of us are trained as doulas and birth workers, but to serve as a sister friend, you don't have to have that training and background."

Why is the 'Village' Part of the Organization?

"It takes a village to not only raise a child, it takes a village and a healthy community to witness families through their sacred initiation and to ensure that we understand what is the responsibility that we have to new pregnant and birth individuals and families.  We have a new baby that is coming into the world, into our community, what does that mean for us?  Folks that are in the community, in the village, to ensure that this life and this family has everything that they need in order to thrive throughout their entire journey.

What is the Rebirth?

Once a child is born, not only is the child born, it is the father that is born.  It is the mother that is born. We call this the rebirth.  In this rebirth, what does the individual in this family need? In order to be well, in order to stay well, and in order to thrive throughout the entire continuum, the journey of the expansiveness of humanity.

What Inspired Soraya to Create Sacred Birthing Village?

"When we think about village, when we think about community, especially for me as a woman of color, I'm a village child. If it wasn't for, you know, sort of the care and the generosity of my community and my village back home in Cabo Verde, I literally wouldn't be sitting here.  I think that that is the piece of when folks usually ask this question, what inspired you? It wasn't an inspiration, it was a divine calling. It was, I think, really that this is my life's work because this is what I've experienced.

How is the Village Funded?

In order for us to do this profound and beautiful, sacred work, we need the investment of the entire community. So we have funding through various organizations. Shout out to Women's Fund.  Shout out to YWCA, who's our physical sponsor. Shout out to South Coast Community Foundation, North Star Learning Center. So many organizations that have invested in our mission and our vision.

Get Involved with Sacred Birthday Village

If you are a pregnant woman, you are encouraged to call the village right away.  "One of the things that is critically important for us is we waste no time in getting connected with our pregnant and birthing individuals. So feel free to call us directly. Call me directly at 774-503-4218."  You can also send an email to maternalrestoration@bvsouthcoast.org.