We caught up with the brilliant and insightful CONNAITRE TILLMAN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

CONNAITRE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

God gave me the idea of becoming a doula working as a nanny because I recognized there was a need and the need was here. I realized how much I love babies and children and wanted to do more to help moms especially during their postpartum period. Becoming a doula helped me to understand how much it takes a village to raise children and the communities that needs this support. I also work for WIC and working for them has a special place in my heart because of the encounter and connections I have with the moms I talk to every day. I am able to encourage them and God brought it to my attention that is where the major need for doula services is needed to the most because this where the maternal health crisis is happening.

This gets me so excited because many women can get the support they need before, during,after childbirth and breastfeeding.

CONNAITRE, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my business in 2019-2020 in Atlanta when I was working as a nanny, I realized I had a passion for working with new mothers and babies. So I wanted to make an impact because I also heard and realized that the maternal death rate for black women were really high due to a lack of support and education.

After the pandemic hit everything came to a halt and couldn’t find any work. I ended up going back home to Dallas, TX for a little while. I wanted so much more, so I prayed and talked to God and out of all places he brought me to Denver, CO. I came here by faith and trusting God knowing that I didn’t have any close family and friends here. But I also understood that this journey wasn’t just about me but it was about the impact of the people I would encounter and help out.

I started working as a screener at Denver Health and while I was working there I saw signs around the clinics I worked at. They were talking about the midwives and I also saw the Denver Health Doula program’s Facebook page, which I became really interested and joined.

My business is about serving those in need of love and support before, during and after childbirth.

You should know I am a certified Maternal Health Consultant and a Christian who serves everyone.

What sets me apart is that I am here not just as a birth supporter but I am also a passionate advocate for all moms but especially for women of color, single moms, first-time moms, and teenagers to provide the extra support, love and education needed to bring another life safely into this world.

The services I offer:

Attend prenatal appointments

Physical Comfort – a gentle touch or a massage during labor, breathing and positioning techniques during labor.

Emotional Support: reassurance, comfort, and encouragement. Making your feelings and needs are heard.

Information: Provide information about what happens during labor and an explanation of procedures and postpartum.

Communication: understanding what happens during labor between you and the provider.

Postpartum Services:
Assistance with feeding your baby (breastfeeding)
Assistance with caring for you and your baby.
Running errands
Light cooking
Light housework

Benefits:
Shortened labor time.
Lesser chance of needing pain relief medication during labor.
Reduce the incidence of cesarean section.
Decrease in anxiety and depression.
A positive experience for mothers post-delivery.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source for new clients for me is volunteering under the doula program at the hospital I currently work at, also working for WIC I connect with people I educate about doulas and what we do to help them to have a better birth experience.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit, this is when I really had to take a hard look at what God was showing me about my life and where he was leading me to. I had to put wanting a career in film and television production on the back burner and pivot putting the focus on what and where God is taking me and why.

My why tells me what my life’s purpose is based on the identity of who I am and what I am becoming in order to show up in the place and spaces God needs me to be in. My pivoting is always based on where the need is the most because impact of the people that needs it at that time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/birth_of_love_doula_223252/cf_id/629e8633fe720116bac8d2c9?fbclid=PAAaaYwLmCSy_wOHNwWwN_fcjtAuHZ5DX6y8ETyTx1GJFyBzy-kdBAyGQ2L2c
• Instagram: @connaitre_tillman and @birthoflovedoula
• Facebook: Connaitrè Shante Tillman
• Twitter: &ConnaitreT