Reimagining what birth could look like.
The new documentary film follows the lives of 3 mothers from different backgrounds, each living in the upstate of South Carolina with their own unique challenges and concerns in giving birth. This documentary dispels the myths about what doulas do and explores the critical roles they fill for mothers and babies long after labor and delivery are over.
Directed By
Madi Yates and Mary Beth Johnson
Filmed By
Rebekah Lloyd
Produced By
Doulado
Year
2023
The Doula Effect Documentary: Upstate, SC
Birth should be safe for everyone. Yet, South Carolina ranks 40th in infant mortality rates and 45th for the number of midwives and OB-GYNs per capita. This documentary tells the stories of 3 women living in the upstate of SC, each with very different paths, all forced to depend on a system with gaps in its healthcare infrastructure. Bobbie, an Afghanistan refugee who discovered she was expecting twins during her flight to safety in the US. Cherie, a mother with a high risk pregnancy in her third trimester who relies on the expertise of her medical team and the support of her doula to remain mentally strong. And Heidi, a mother with grown biological and adopted children who reflects on birth trauma and the emotional healing a mother can do years after giving birth. This raw and vulnerable documentary highlights the strength of mothers and the power in having a doula by your side. Stream above or click below to watch the documentary on YouTube:
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Meet the Team
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Rebekah Lloyd
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Rebekah Lloyd is known for her work in Spider Man: No Way Home (2021), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), and Sound of Violence (2021). She wore many hats for this film and oversaw our volunteer crew while running electrical, lighting, sound, and camera.
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Madi Yates
DIRECTOR
Madi is a Birth and Postpartum Doula and Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist serving her community in the upstate of SC.
As a skilled doula, Madi brings a compassionate and holistic approach to filmmaking and played a critical role in directing the many voices that came together for this film.
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Mary Beth Johnson
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Mary Beth is the co-founder of Doulado, a software product born out of a passion to make childbirth safe for everyone. Her storytelling experience has spanned many mediums, including writing, advertising, and a viral global photo series. Her hope is that this film will educate people on the maternal health crisis and the impact doulas make in their communities.
10 Ways Doulas Make a Difference
Meet the Doulas
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Madi Yates
DOULA, Doula Besties LLC
Madi is a Birth and Postpartum Doula and Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist serving her community in the upstate of SC.
As a skilled doula, Madi brings a compassionate and holistic approach to filmmaking and played a critical role in directing the many voices that came together for this film.
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Lakesha Quarles
DOULA, Sunflower Doula Births LLC
Lakesha is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, Placenta Instructor/Specialist and a community breastfeeding educator. She is the winner of The 2023 Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by SCTAC.
SunFlower Births was formed to create a safe space for all birthing persons and their families. We believe that EVERY BIRTHING PERSON DESERVES A DOULA.
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Meet the Moms
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Bobbi
Bobbi tells the story of escaping from Afghanistan to the United States with her husband and a backpack full of clothes. While waiting for the details of her refugee placement in the US, she discovers she is pregnant with twins. Bobbi compares the lack of support for women in the postpartum period to her culture at home and reaches out to a local non-profit for assistance in receiving postpartum doula services.
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Cherie
Cherie, an RN, talks about the moment she knew she wanted to have a biological child and what it felt like to discover the news that she was undergoing a high risk pregnancy. With the support of her doula and her husband we learn how advocacy and empowerment play a critical role in helping mothers make informed medical decisions leading up to the birth.
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Heidi
In this multigenerational story, Heidi recounts her traumatic birth story with her firstborn daughter, Madi. As mother and daughter reflect on the the urgent need for improved communication, compassion, and patient-centered care within the hospital system we learn why Madi decided to become a doula.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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M. Michel Brewer Photography
M. Michel Brewer Photography is a family photographer in Greenville, SC.
