Evidence Based Birth® EBB 288 - From Birthing in the Pandemic to Birthing a Career as a Postpartum Doula and Chef with Malisa Dekker of Planted Postpartum
In this episode, I’m talking with Malisa Dekker, a Postpartum Doula and Chef based in Brooklyn, New York, about her profound journey through two contrasting birth and postpartum experiences that shaped her passion for postpartum wellness.
Malisa’s first birth took place during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, where interventions and a lack of support left her feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. With the desire for change, Malisa embarked on her second pregnancy, seeking empowerment and a holistic approach to birthing. She details her transformational shift to a home birth with the support of a dedicated midwife, her partner Taylor, and a community of friends who understood the importance of empathetic care and emphasized the profound impact having one’s emotional needs addressed during labor can have on a birthing person’s experience. Malisa’s experience led her to become a passionate advocate for postpartum wellness and support, driving her to become a Postpartum Doula. Through her unique combination of skills as a Doula and Chef, she aims to provide nourishment, care, and empathy to new parents during the challenging postpartum period.
Content Warnings: postpartum anxiety, a pandemic birth story with isolation and interventions
Resources- Follow Malisa’s work on Instagram: @plantedpostpartum
- Learn more about Malisa’s postpartum nutrition mentor, Alicia Allison: CloverandTimothy.com
- Check out training opportunities from:
Listen to EBB Episodes
- EBB 229 – Evidence on Doulas: Community-Based Models, the Pandemic, and Reimbursement with the EBB Research Team
- EBB 194 – Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols, RDN