Black Maternal Health Week Spotlight: Juwana Montgomery

In the work I do as a birth worker and educator, I take pride in doing so on the shoulders of my grandmother who probably did not consider herself a Grand Wife; however, she delivered all of her grandchildren, including myself. In addition, we were all water birth babies. She not only delivered us, but also many others in our village. When I decided to get into this work, I meditated and asked for her, and those that came before her, blessings. Why? Because this work is guided by our ancestors.

As I prepare for a birth, I prepare to meet with my moms, I reach out to her for guidance and assistance. I know how calming a spirit she was and how she nurtured her daughters and daughters in love, not because I was there, but because she brought her healing powers to everyone she came in contact with.

It wasn’t until I got into this line of work, that I grew to appreciate her and the other Midwives that preceded her for their innate knowledge of bringing a baby Earthside. I strive to be as compassionate and loving to my moms as I know she was. I want my moms to have complete trust in me, to know they are not alone, and to experience joy during their births. I want my moms to bask and cherish these precious moments, to not live in fear of the unknown and to expect I will be their biggest cheerleader. I want my moms to know I am there to prepare them for birth through education and advocacy. I want my moms to know they have a voice and rights. I want my moms to look at their births with the true meaning of accomplishments  and not a labored ordeal.

My reason for what I do is the pride I have in knowing others before me are guiding me with their wisdom. I am honored to be one of the first people to witness a life being brought into this world-knowing I have been privileged to assist in the preparation of this new life and the lives of the birth person and their partner. Birth is one of God’s miracles and I am grateful to be one of the chosen ones who can assist in this process.