Who we are:

Welcome to Wombberry Co. I am Ume, BSN, RN. Some of my titles include Registered Nurse, Post- Partum Doula, Health Coach, and Healthcare Advocate. I started my journey nearly fifteen years ago working as a certified nurse's assistant, licensed practical nurse. Currently, I am a registered nurse, doula, maternal healthcare advocate, and health coach.

I started my career in healthcare due to my own childhood healthcare needs. Some of my diagnoses were asthma, severe allergies, and severe seasonal eczema. Some of the medications required to soothe my diagnoses, lead to additional health issues. This progressed to Cushing's syndrome, musculoskeletal changes, hirsutism, and dysglycemia. While some of the medications I used were on the market for quite some time, others were still in their clinical trials. I am a first-generation Jamaican- American. My parents were unfamiliar with the healthcare system in America, especially in the tri-state region. From my perspective, this was an advantage to almost every healthcare provider. My parents were grateful but did not always know the appropriate questions to ask. This created much doubt, skepticism, and self-education within me, about our healthcare system.

In my early twenties, I realized how our healthcare system catered to specific groups, but not others. While there is always a "standard of care", it is not always met for everyone. Oftentimes, no one is held accountable for their negligence. I want to change that. There has to be a safe space for groups that have been minoritized, even if it must be created by me. The rate at which we are dying in the perinatal period is disgusting. I have had women reach out to me via social media, asking for me to be their advocate.  Whether, they were unsure of diagnostic procedures, cord clamping, immunizations, medications, or facilities. While working in private duty nursing, I have taken on the needs of entire families. New diagnoses of high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease are debilitating. The fifteen or so minutes that one visits their healthcare provider, is not enough to answer all of your questions. It is not enough time to get you on a healthy lifestyle change of your choice. Through all of this, I realize that there is a great need for us. We need proper healthcare, healthcare advocacy, informed consent with options, and a safe space to voice our concerns, needs, and wants. I am creating a safe space for not only you but myself too.

Kindly,

Ume, Registered Nurse, Doula, Healthcare advocate.