From First Birth to Full Calling: Mijah Robinson’s Journey Into Birthwork

PIN IT

Expanding Access to Doula Training Through Scholarships

At bebo mia, we believe that becoming a doula should not be limited by financial barriers. Our full spectrum doula training supports students in fertility, birth, postpartum, and loss, preparing them for meaningful, real-world care. Through our doula scholarship programs, we have awarded over $500,000 to future birth doulas, postpartum doulas, and care providers worldwide. This post shares the story of one recipient stepping into this work through our online training.

The Birth That Planted the First Seed

Hi everyone! My name is Mijah, I am of proud Black American and Filipino descent. A mother of three girls and married to their amazing father. We had our first child when we were merely 20 years old. I was active duty in the Air Force serving as a mental health technician, he was in College for American football and studying, 6 hours away. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 36 weeks and was induced a day later. My mom and godmother both flew in that day and they were my support, advocacy, mother’s and not knowing the word at the time, my doulas. They knew my birth plan and as a scared 20 year old living in a city unfamiliar to me ~ they had my back, and truly my life. This was the seed that was planted for me to be where I am today.

Learning, Access, and a Different Birth Experience

Fast forward five years, we knew more about birth and doulas and we were able to do a payment plan for a birth doula. I specifically wanted a Black Doula and I found one doula that was a POC in my county, although not of the black diaspora, she had some similarities to me. We had an unmedicated hospital birth within 2 hours of arriving, and three pushes! Three! Placenta encapsulated, baby healthy but still I didn’t have that postpartum prep that I now encourage so deeply.

Deepening Knowledge and Experiencing Transformation

The next 2 years I learned so much about pregnancy, nutrition, the cuarentena, belly binding, warmth, and truly just being still. We had a rainbow baby at the end of 2024, in our home where we planned a free birth with just our families. Some bumps were made but my postpartum has been a magical experience and even more so because I did the work and planned for it. I want this experience for everyone. Families deserve to come back home from birth and be taken care of, this is also the birth of a mother.

Choosing a Path Aligned With Holistic Care

I desired this scholarship specifically because By TylerB aligns well with how I aspire to be as a doula. A holistic approach to birth and postpartum, using herbs to naturally heal, offer my massage therapy certifications to release tension from pregnancy and childbirth, educate families on what to expect and how to properly assist a mom in her transition into motherhood. Heal my community and offer myself as a black woman who has been through it and survived.

Finding Community in Bebomia

The Bebo Mia community is what made me want to look further into learning from you all. From the efforts you all put into creating documents to better help birth workers thrive in business, the constant tips and education from the podcast to the facebook groups, to lives on social media. It felt welcoming and inviting and that is how I am as a person, one that doesn’t discriminate, has always created a warm environment for people to come as they are, speak openly and ask tough questions. I feel Bebo Mia is the type of group of friends I already surround myself with and would love to learn from and bounce ideas with.

Becoming the Support She Once Needed

I want to be a birthworker because of everything I mentioned above. As I was pregnant each time, I learned more about the pregnancy and birthing realm. I reflected on every aspect of each of my births, the people that assisted me in each, whether it be nurses, family, paid doulas, my sisters or my husband. I was able to recognize the things each person did and I in turn plan to take into every family I work with. I desire to be a support person so that when someone in my town gets pregnant, they know Mijah is the one to ask, she will do right by me!

A Vision of Care Rooted in Community and Presence

After the program, I would love to say I plan to hit the floor running! I envision renting a studio where I can host my families to educate them on prenatal breastfeeding, childbirth education, prenatal massage and prepping for this transition for each family. I want to be welcomed into their homes, prepping one handed snacks and warm nourishing teas and herbs for mama to heal. To help with latch or show them exercises after a frenectomy, massage their feet or pass them the burp cloth. I am unsure when I will be able to do all of the things I want to do as I have three young children of my own, but I do picture this for my community. And maybe I will hit the floor running and all will fall into place! I just know I would offer so much to these families. Let’s romanticize postpartum, and birth, and all of the wonderful transitions that come with bringing life into the world.

A Future Built Through Doula Education

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a doula, this is your chance to begin. Our Birth Doula and full spectrum programs are designed to support both your skills and your growth. You can apply for a doula scholarship or explore our live, online classroom to find the right path for you.