They created Baby Mama to help bridge gaps in maternal care
This is a summary of a story by Jessica Covil-Manset on Duke University School of Nursing.
Duke alumni Kaylan Sharp and Kiera Davis — twins — graduated from Duke’s nursing school in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and began working in intensive care units in Denver. When both twins were pregnant during the COVID pandemic, they decided to get training as doulas. It was a move that would ultimately change the direction of their careers.
They are now co-founders of Baby Mama, a business that provides support around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for families in Denver, Colorado.
“We wanted to be present for each other’s births, but hospitals would not allow two support people, such as a partner and a sister, during that time,” said Sharp. “But you could have a support person and a doula. So, we both completed birth doula training in the summer of 2020 so that we could be present for each other’s births.”
While Sharp and Davis had not originally imagined using their birth doula training beyond attending each other’s births, they realized through their own pregnancy and postpartum journeys how important resources and support can be for new parents. They ultimately created Baby Mama to help bridge the existing gaps in maternal care.
The Baby Mama team has grown to 28, including fellow nurses, birth and postpartum doulas, massage therapists, a pelvic floor physical therapist, and a nutritionist who offers in-home meal preparation for new parents. “Through education, trusted referrals, and a strong network of support, we help families navigate what can feel like an overwhelming and unfamiliar journey,” said Davis.
The twins have strong ties to Duke: their mother completed two health programs; their father completed cardiology fellowships; and their younger sisters were born at the hospital. “We’re a big Duke family,” said Sharp.
To learn more about Sharp and Davis’ path to creating Baby Mama, go to School of Nursing.
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