Lou-Ann Wattley Belk

Serendipity is the word that comes to mind when I recall my first interaction with Birthing from Within. While navigating my own birth journeys, I’d never heard of Pam England or the powerful book Pam is known for (Ancient Map for Modern Birth). It was a search for “birth educator training,” and a desire to get actively involved in supporting the maternal health outcomes and experiences of black families that led me to my first interaction, which was a top search result: a link to the Birthing from Within site.

It was deeply activating to see birth described as a transformative, meaningful journey that bears fruit far beyond pregnancy and birth. That led to my attendance at a BIPOC Crossing the Threshold, where I experienced a profound confirmation of what I now recognize was a clear and direct calling to birth work. I am grateful for those series of circumstances. I’m excited to bring my warmth, compassion and creativity to my role as a facilitator with Birthing from Within.

I became a certified Birthing from Within childbirth educator in 2021. I’ve been pouring into growing families since then with soulfully-curated birth classes and postpartum support through the Well Worth Watering community. Launched as a blog in 2019, its original mission was to share and honor powerful stories that were at risk of disappearing on the landscape of the black maternal health crisis. Today, this space continues to grow and pour into the maternal health experiences of black parents through podcast conversations and services that aim to teach and empower birthing folks along their birth journey.

Near and dear to me is my walk in motherhood, my creative expression, topics centering maternal health justice, birthing traditions across the black diaspora, the season of postpartum healing, the role of herbs & nutrition during the birthing year and the ways that childbirth (and birth work) can be spiritually edifying.

I center my work with families around BfW processes that prompt love-affirming introspection and the revelation of confidence, resilience and inner-knowing. I am excited to guide fellow birth workers as they discover the unique gems inside of such processes.