Meet Doula Erika
Meet Erika, our Doula-Dietitian
Hello!
Welcome to our “Meet the Team” series. In this interview, get to know our team dietitian and virtual doula, Erika Watson-Lawson, MSH, RDN, LDN, CDL
Leah: Erika, can you please introduce yourself? What inspired you to join our doula team? Share a bit about your background and experience in the field.
Erika: I had been following you, Leah, on IG. I really admired the work that you were doing and how you were envisioning this comprehensive, quality service to the families you serve. That truly aligned with me and the way I address the mind, body, and soul through nutrition and doula care.
I have over 15 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian. I have worked in the hospital setting for the majority of my career. I have also worked in the community, food service, and long-term care facilities.
I have always had a love for moms and babies my whole life. Throughout my childhood, I was the niece, the friend, and the neighbor that was there to help new moms. About 2 years ago I decided to become a doula to address the maternal health crisis facing our families in the Black community.
Leah: I love it! I remember being so excited when we first connected. I was like, “We NEED Erika!” LOL. As a part of the Sweet Bee Team, you support families during one of the most transformative periods of their lives. What do you hope to bring to our team and the families we serve?
Erika: I want to bring a level of excellence and awareness of what our families need that will allow each teammate to focus on their specialty. For our families I want them to see that eating healthier can be simple, joyful, and full of flavor. Also, I want them to know that here at Sweet Bee we are here to hold their hand every step of the way, so if anything changes with their health status we can adjust things as needed.
Leah: How do you approach building a strong rapport with the families you work with? Can you share any specific strategies or techniques you use to establish trust and connection?
Erika: By being myself, showing each family that I am genuinely interested in them and their well-being goes a long way. The concern that I have for their success throughout this transition in life shows through in each nutrition plan. Getting to know each family's likes and dislikes is important, but even more so is getting to understand the rhythm of the family. This allows me to customize each nutrition plan in a way that can meet each client where they are at. This plan creates a bridge from where they are currently, healthwise, to meet their personal health goals.
Leah: We know and feel how much you care, Erika! Each member of our team has a unique style and philosophy when it comes to supporting families. What is your approach to client care? How do you ensure that your support is tailored to each family's specific needs?
Erika: This requires a lot of listening. I love to hear what their family routine is and what are health goals they have set for themselves. After I get a good understanding of that, I can combine my knowledge of food, nutrition, and conditions that typically affect Black and Brown communities to design a plan specifically for them.
When the families we serve open their nutrition plan I want them to see:
1. The nutrition plan is designed to ebb and flow right into their daily life.
2. They don't have to make huge changes to make a big impact on the health of themselves and their family.
3. Taking care of your health physically and mentally is a beautiful gift to give your partner and children. It promotes a longer life and can prevent or slow down other age-related health problems.
Leah: Yes! Listening is imperative. I know folks have really appreciated your approach to a nutrition plan that is inclusive and fun! On the doula side, birth and postpartum experiences can be both beautiful and challenging. How do you support families during moments of joy and moments of difficulty? Can you share an example of how you've helped a family navigate a particularly challenging situation?
Erika: I think it's important that our families know that everything in pregnancy and the postpartum period are not as they appear on social media. Admitting that you don't enjoy being pregnant or that you want your baby to stop crying at night so you can get more sleep isn't a sign of ungratefulness. To say that you miss having alone time with your partner or firstborn doesn't mean you're a bad parent. It means you are human. So many times, I have had to help parents ground themselves and assure them that their feelings are valid. If a parent realizes that they are showing signs of a mood disorder it’s important that they know it is NOT a sign of failing, it simply means you need more help.
* Trigger warning * - pregnancy loss.
I've had the privilege of helping a family navigate a 2nd-trimester loss. Providing meals for them, checking in on them, and helping them navigate talking to their preschooler about the loss was challenging. Once part of a doulas fam, you're part of the fam and I am anticipating the arrival like an extended family member. So it is hard but necessary for me as the doula to focus on the family's grief and not my own as a top priority. I've found in those types of situations doing things to honor and remember the life force that was in that parent brings some comfort to the families.
Leah: Thank you for that trigger warning, Erika. And thank you for so beautifully relaying how you honor life alongside clients. Self-care is essential for doulas, as the work can be emotionally and physically demanding. How do you prioritize self-care in your life, and how do you plan to support your fellow team members in their self-care practices?
Erika: I keep two days a week on my schedule blocked off from client consults. I can plan an outing to the beach. The beach is part of my healing, it's the place I can go for refreshment and solace. I typically schedule a coffee or lunch date with a friend to catch up.
Close to the time I’m going to be on call for a birth, I start making sure I'm getting 7-8 hours of sleep. No late-night IG scrolling. I also keep in close contact with my support people that will be caring for my children in the event that I'm with a birthing family. I put my hospital bag and snacks together and place them in my car.
Supporting team members can be a call or a quick message to check up on them. Listening to a team member that needs to dialogue things out after a birth experience is also a means of support.
Leah: All of these are so essential! Okay, Erika, final set of questions, what are you most looking forward to as a member of our Sweet Bee team? How do you envision making a positive impact on the families we serve?
Erika: I'm looking forward to watching the team continue to grow and serve these beautiful Black families in such a holistic way that encompasses mind and body.
I plan on continuing to serve families with an evidenced-based approach to nutrition and health goals. Helping each family use the knowledge they get during the pregnancy and postpartum period for years to come.
Leah: Thank you for joining me, Erika! We love having you on the team. Where else can folks learn more about you?
Erika: Click my image above or visit https://purelynourishingdoula.com/
