We were lucky to catch up with Tequila Robertson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tequila, thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I was nervous getting started as a doula because of imposter syndrome but I knew it was something I wanted to do. I put it off for months until one day a friend of mine asked me to be her doula. She knew I had went through the training and was just waiting for me to let her know but I was still afraid. I knew in that moment it was God pushing me to get started because this is something I was supposed to be doing. Unfortunately right before she was due to give birth, COVID-19 hit and they shut down the hospital and were not allowing doulas to support their clients. So I had to virtually support her through the process. It made me a little sad because I felt as though my first experience was a doula was robbed from me but later that year when they did open the hospitals again, I was able to support mothers.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always been a lover of all things birth and originally went to Hampton University and was in the Pre-Med Biology program. I did end up changing my major to Psychology so I currently have a B.A. Psychology degree. A few years afterwards I ran into the documentary The Business of Being Born and it completely changed how I viewed birthing and also made me happy I didn’t go to medical school. Years later when I did get pregnant I entered the world of doulas, midwives, chiropractors, etc. and the doula role just resonated with me. It felt like a strong calling from God for something I was supposed to be doing. So after having my baby, I completed my training and had my first client. I believe in village care, I don’t believe we were put on this earth to do anything alone and for my clients I am that extension of their village. Most of my clients are individuals who aren’t from Dallas, let alone Texas, so they don’t have their village (family) here. I am able to be that buffer between what they research and what actually applies to them. I’m there to answer their calls at any time, especially after their provider’s office has closed. I provide education about pregnancy and childbirth so that they feel prepared for the journey they’re on. I help their support person learn how they can be involved with the pregnancy and birthing process. I encourage and empower them to own their birth space and understand they hold the power so this time is theirs to make all the decisions no matter how things may change in the moment. I want women to reclaim their time and birth because it is theirs and no one else’s. They will forever remember their birthing experience no matter how old their child is so I want to make sure they have a great experience to remember versus a traumatic one.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Connecting with people is most helpful in my field. Anyone cannot be a doula, I mean yes anyone can train to be one, but this isn’t a profession that any abs everyone should be doing. It is a calling, something you have to spiritually and mentally connect with. Birthing spaces are sacred and any and everyone shouldn’t be allowed to enter that space because energy matters and can effect the birthing process. This isn’t a profession to choose because of money or just because you had a traumatic birth and want to help others. It take a lot to be in this profession. Some of us leave our families for a day or two to be with a birthing person, we sacrifice time away from friends and loved ones during holidays, birthdays, games, anniversaries, etc., we are on call for weeks waiting for our clients to go into labor, and our presence at times help to calm our clients. Your spirit has to be right and you have to know how to leave your traumas, issues, and problems at the door when you’re entering someone’s birthing space. This is a rewarding profession but you have to be aligned to be within it.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back, I would’ve chosen this profession a long time ago. My ultimate goal is to go to Midwifery school and if I would’ve known about that when I was in college, I would’ve pursued it right after college. I know God held off on that for me because the maturity needs to be there to operate without these spaces and I had a little life to live and things to iron out and I’m glad He did that until now because I’m mentally and spiritually ready for the next step.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.m2masl.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mama.2.mama?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Marrica Evans (IG: @marricaevans)