We’re excited to share more about the incredible postpartum doulas who support families with Major Care. Today, we’re featuring Iya Mystique Faodugun. NOTE: Iya Mystique no longer works with Major Care, but we so appreciate them and wish them the best as they continue to support families with passion.

Former Major Care team doula Iya Mystique Faodugun (she/they) is a North Carolina-based postpartum doula who has so many deep and varied skills in working with families in the fourth trimester, including counseling, childbirth education, lactation support, newborn care, reiki, and herbalism. Iya Mystique is outspoken and passionate about supporting BIPOC and LBGTQIA2S people in postpartum. Learn more about Iya Mystique, her/their work and her/their philosophy of postpartum.

What’s your doula superpower?

Being a Black radical and liberated queer perinatal “table flipper.”

Why do you think doulas matter?

Doulas have always made history to step in to support and encourage birthing people in their time of need. We matter because we advocate (or should be advocating) for change in birth work. 

What’s your favorite thing about supporting new families?

Seeing families work together as a village, to make sure the postpartum parent is supported holistically as best as they can. 

What’s one thing you wish people knew about the fourth trimester?

That it can last forever and is not just 6 weeks or a few months. The fourth trimester shows up differently for everyone, especially in marginalized communities.

What’s one thing you wish people knew about doulas?

We’re not going anywhere and will continue to grow more in this profession. Whatever barriers are set up against us and our communities can and will be knocked down. We are the reason why birth and postpartum work is continuing to transform and evolve into something great!

To work with Iya Mystique, take our quiz or email clients@thatismajor.com. Follow them on Instagram @blackbirthhealer.