When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to be incredibly intentional about building my care team. I’d spent countless hours on social media watching stories about pregnancy and childbirth. I’m a researcher at heart, so I understood the importance of being thoughtful and proactive in creating the experience I wanted.
But here’s the thing—pregnancy and birth are journeys you don’t fully understand until you’re in the thick of them. That said, I’m sharing what I learned the first time around in hopes it helps you as you build your own care team.
My Biggest Goal: ✨ An All-Black Care Team ✨
One of my top priorities was to build an All-Black care team. I wasn’t even sure if it was possible, especially in my area. But with a lot of research and determination, I made it happen—and I’m so glad I did. If you’re in the Phoenix area, consider this a resource guide for some incredible providers in the Valley.
Choosing Between OB/GYN and Midwife
One of the first questions to consider is: Do I want an OB/GYN or a midwife? The core of this decision often comes down to how you want to give birth. Do you envision an unmedicated birth, or are you open to (or planning on) using an epidural?
And let me say this clearly: there is no right answer. Many women feel pressure to say they want an unmedicated birth because it sounds more “natural” or “ideal.” But a vaginal birth with an epidural is a great option too. What’s important is making the choice that feels right for you.
This decision may also shape whether you give birth at a hospital, at home, or in a birthing center. In my case, I had a unique setup—I had an unmedicated hospital birth attended by a midwife from a practice that included a lead OB. This hybrid model worked beautifully for me.
According to an article from the University of Utah, OB/GYNs and midwives often collaborate. You can labor in a hospital with midwife support, and if needed, an OB can step in for interventions like a C-section or vacuum assist. That’s exactly what happened in my case: I labored with my midwife, but when I needed a vacuum-assisted delivery, the OB stepped in seamlessly.
Hospital vs. Home Birth
This is another big decision. Choosing between a hospital or home birth comes down to the environment in which you feel safest and most supported.
While I ultimately had a positive experience, I do wish I had spent more time creating a calming environment in the hospital. In hindsight, I would have advocated for a more relaxing setup—maybe even a water birth. I truly believe a more soothing environment could have helped reduce my stress and tension during labor.
Doula Support Services
Let’s talk doulas—because they are game changers.
If you’re unfamiliar, a doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. In simpler terms: your doula is your ultimate birth cheerleader.
I credit a lot of my ability to have an unmedicated birth to my doula. My husband labored with me at home for about 4–5 hours, but there came a point when we both knew we needed someone with professional experience. My doula stepped in and gave me the strength, guidance, and confidence I needed to keep going.
Chiropractic Care vs. Pelvic Floor Therapy
Okay, so you’ve got your provider, you’ve hired a doula, and you’ve decided where you’ll give birth—amazing! Now you’re probably wondering: Should I also see a chiropractor or start pelvic floor therapy?
I say: why not both?
I did both, and I found them to be incredibly valuable—but in very different ways. Chiropractic care during pregnancy focuses on alignment, posture, and overall body balance. A skilled chiropractor will be trained in prenatal techniques and have the right equipment for a birthing body.
Pelvic floor therapy, on the other hand, is more fitness- and movement-based. It emphasizes strengthening the pelvic floor, breathing techniques, relaxation, and even practice pushing. If you’re someone who thrives with exercise-based wellness, you’ll probably love it.
If you can, I recommend doing both. But if you have to choose one, I personally leaned toward pelvic floor therapy. It aligned more closely with my wellness values and gave me tools I used actively during labor.
Postpartum Care
One area I wish I’d been more intentional about? Postpartum care.
We spend so much time preparing for birth, but not nearly enough preparing for what comes after. Looking back, I would’ve created a stronger postpartum support plan—emotionally, physically, and practically.
If you’re able, I highly recommend hiring your doula for both birth and postpartum support. And if you don’t have family or friends lined up to help during recovery, consider hiring a night nurse. These resources can be life-changing during the often-overlooked fourth trimester.
I also have a dear friend who’s working on building a postpartum retreat center right here in the Valley—how amazing is that? Check out ABL Postnatal for rest plans and recovery plans.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy and childbirth are deeply personal journeys, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is that your care team makes you feel safe, heard, and supported. ✨Whether you’re hoping for a water birth at home, an epidural in a hospital, or anything in between, the right team can make all the difference. ✨
Below, I’ll share the providers I worked with—most are based in the Phoenix area, but some (like my pelvic floor therapist) also offer remote services. I hope this helps you build a team that feels just right for you.
My Dream Care Team in PHX: Primarily Black Providers!
OB/GYN and Midwife Team: Premier OBGYN Team Baby Catcher
Doula Services: P.S. Love, Mommy Doula Services
Pelvic Floor Therapist (LA based provider): Dr. Curls for the Girls
Chiropractic Care: Active Family Chiropractic Care
