Hello, my name is Nancy E. Lewis and I am a momma, Nana and fur mom of the cutest folx on the planet! My favorite leisure activities are reading, traveling, cooking and listening to music. As the owner of CinnaBaby Doula Services, LLC, I am a Full Spectrum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, I am a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate Trainer, Fertility Advocate Trainer, and a Reproductive Health and the Black Experience Advocate. I serve on the Board of the St. Louis Doula Project and also as a member of Postpartum Support International Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color.
Most of my professional career was spent in the field of education, working as a teacher and instructional coach for over 25 years. Now that I have retired, I can pursue my birthwork practice full-time.
I first learned about Count The Kicks during my own PAIL Advocate training and I immediately ordered the materials to share with my clients. As I researched and learned about volunteer opportunities within the organization, I knew I had to get involved, and after exploring the different levels, I felt Ambassador was the best fit for me for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, I feel there is an overall lack of knowledge about the app and its benefits within the communities who should be most active in sharing it. It was not available when I was pregnant (almost 30 years ago) and I don’t remember my doctor discussing any details about tracking my baby’s movements. Just two years ago, I don’t recall my daughter’s midwife or doula providing much information about kick counting. Speaking with my own current clients, I don’t feel they receive thorough suggestions on a regular basis either.
Secondly, I will always be a coach and an educator and those identities are what make my doula practice special. We often say, “You don’t know, what you don’t know” and that statement is definitely accurate when it comes to pregnancy. I provide my clients with the education and resources they need to understand what’s normal for their pregnancy journey and I give them the tools they need to feel confident about advocating for their unborn babies. I want to share this knowledge with people all over the state. “Each one, teach one.”
Finally, serving as an Ambassador allows me to be an advocate and activist for the reproductive health of marginalized people. The Black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates are abysmal in the United States in general, and even worse in Missouri specifically. I want to take every available opportunity to promote healthy pregnancies and change those numbers. I am excited to be an Ambassador and help improve the birth outcomes for Missouri families.
Please contact me. I look forward to collaborating with you!
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