Kelly Collins, Doula+

11/23/2025

✨ New on the Blog ✨
Helping the RDU Community During the Holiday Season

The holidays are here and our community needs more than cheer, it needs us.

From families facing food insecurity, to neighbors at risk of ICE detention, to those without stable housing, there are powerful ways we can show up right here in the Triangle.

My new blog post shares practical, local ways to make a real impact in Raleigh/Durham including volunteer opportunities, donation ideas, and organizations doing life-changing work.

If you’ve been wanting to help but didn’t know where to start, this is your guide.

💻 Read the full post and join me in giving back with purpose this season. Link in bio.

Small acts. Big impact. Community first.

11/22/2025

And then there is this...

Deputies reported hearing screaming and notified an on-call nurse but did not report a medical emergency, jail records show. Hours later, a nurse and deputy found Kelsey Love wedged inside her torn sleeping mat, blood smeared across the floor.

Love had given birth, scooped mucus from the baby’s mouth, tied the umbilical cord with a used condom she found under a bench, bit the cord off, then crawled into the mat to keep him warm.

The boy, whom she named Xayden, had drugs in his system but was otherwise healthy. Her father and stepmother cared for him until she was stable.

Love said she received a $200,000 settlement from Franklin County, which denied allegations in court filings. The jail has since changed its medical contractor, and adopted a new policy requiring that the contractor have a protocol for the care of pregnant inmates.

Pregnant women who are jailed, often for petty crimes, are miscarrying or giving birth in excruciating pain and into cell toilets or onto filthy jail floors, according to an investigation from Bloomberg Law and NBC News.

Read more women's stories: nbcnews.app.link/O8vMsZUZrYb

11/22/2025

There is a heaviness that I've been trying to shake all week...

The presence of ICE in my community, so many people in need right before the holidays and of course, the viral videos of the black women laboring with a complete absence of urgency, basic care or respect.

Verbal and visual discomfort... Their lives and their babies' hanging in the balance.

This is America.

It's crazy that this keeps happening. But believable. Because the truth is, it happens all the time. And while the videos are gut wrenching to watch, it's proof of a broken system. Sure the negligent parties were fired (at least at Franciscan Health Crown Point), but what's the long term fix for these institutions? What about the black and brown women who will walk into those hospitals while the aftermath of all this plays out in the 24 hour news cycle and social media?

To my 26 year old self who was physically unable to advocate for herself after a "routine surgery", but had a husband who stood in the gap for me...

To the expecting dad who recently asked if I have ever lost a client to maternal mortality...

To anyone who is wondering if they really need a doula...

This is why I do what I do.

This is why I dedicated my life to helping women prepare for their dream birth AND the "what ifs".

This isn't about money.
This isn't about a savior complex.
This is about holding space for precious lives, no matter what unfolds.
This is heart work.

Tauqilla Manning, founder of Black Nurses Week, said it best: "Black mothers deserve care, not crisis. Black mothera deserve safety, not survival by chance."

Protect Black women
Hire a doula.
Period.

11/20/2025

✨Sweet Potato Soup Recipe✨

Thanksgiving is one week away and if you're already struggling to plan meals before the big day, let me help.

This soup is creamy, sweet/savory and best of all easy to make! Today is the perfect day to warm up with this cozy, flavorful sweet potato soup!

Pregnant? New mom? Got picky eaters? This recipe is family-friendly and nourishing for anyone who partakes. 😉

Full recipe here: http://www.bestofbothworldsnc.com/blog/sweet-potato-soup-recipe

11/20/2025

🤔

The standard method for closing the uterus after cesarean delivery, used for over 50 years, may be causing a host of long-term health issues for millions of women.

According to Dr. Emmanuel Bujold and Dr. Roberto Romero, leaders in obstetrics and gynecology, current closure practices—where sutures join the uterine lining with surrounding muscle—fail to restore the uterus’s natural structure, leading to serious complications.

Their exhaustive review reveals the risks: abnormal placenta attachment affects up to 6% of women, uterine rupture up to 3%, and premature births up to 28%. Many suffer pelvic pain (up to 35%), excessive bleeding (up to 33%), and endometriosis or adenomyosis (up to 43%). Such complications are linked directly to the scarring produced by the conventional closure method.

Bujold and Romero propose a nuanced technique: suturing tissues only of the same type, carefully reconstructing the muscle layer while leaving the uterine lining untouched for natural regeneration. Although this new method takes 5–8 minutes—twice as long as the traditional approach—the additional blood loss is minimal and outweighed by better outcomes for future reproductive health.

With cesarean rates rising globally, especially in countries like Canada where 27% of births are by C-section, prioritizing meticulous uterine repair is a critical public health concern. This shift in surgical thinking may help millions experience safer subsequent pregnancies and better long-term well-being.

Follow Science Sphere for regular scientific updates

📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Emmanuel Bujold et al, "Uterine closure after cesarean delivery: surgical principles, biological rationale, and clinical implications", American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2025)

11/19/2025

Why Hire a Doula?

Many new parents and their families don't anticipate needing assistance preparing for birth or the fourth trimester. Even if they have family & friends to help them, they may not know exactly how they can help or be useful. Here are some things to think about when deciding to hire a doula:

▫️Are you a first time parent?
▫️Do you feel overwhelmed preparing for labor & delivery?
▫️Are you considered a high risk pregnancy?
▫️Do/did you lack support during pregnancy?
▫️Was your birth experience difficult or very different from what you planned?
▫️Did you give birth early?
▫️Will you or did you have a c-section?
▫️Will you or your partner have to return to work right away?
▫️Will you need physical and emotional support after you get home from the hospital?
▫️Do you have older children and/or pets?
▫️Are you having or do you have multiples?
▫️Are you adopting?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to hire a doula!

Why choose Best of Both Worlds Doula?

BOBWDS is a family centered business providing a wide range of pregnancy, birth and postpartum support for new parents and the entire family. I am committed to educating & informing my clients on all of their birthing options while building their confidence and diminishing their fears about childbirth and parenting.

As a certified doula, mother, professional family care provider & consultant with over 20 years of experience, I am an expert in my field who will always continue my education to ensure the highest standard of care.

My main purpose is to provide physical, mental, emotional and spiritual continuity of care for my clients. My work is very important to me and I am always available to listen and provide guidance and reassurance whenever needed.

Best of Both Worlds Doula Services will always follow your lead regarding your body, pregnancy and health care. Once we connect, you will become family because family means everything to me.

To learn more about me and how I can assist your family, contact me for a complimentary consultation. www.bestofbothworldsnc.com

Now accepting clients due in 2026!

11/12/2025

Truth: Pregnancy and birth changes you and every aspect of your life. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually. You become a brand new being and that person must be nurtured and loved just the same as your new baby. But that can be hard when you don't have the proper support or clear expectations regarding postpartum recovery, motherhood and childrearing.

The current postpartum culture is an unsupportive, unforgiving, judgey, hasty place that isolates new moms. Postpartum is a forever journey that requires vulnerability and room to learn & grow (mistakes included) all while discovering a new version of oneself. We've got to prioritize whole person health and support during pregnancy and postpartum so that mothers & families can thrive. Because when the mother is healthy, the family is healthy.

So what does this look like?

◽Complete body autonomy for all pregnant women and mothers

◽Having a supportive prenatal care provider and community throughout pregnancy and parenthood

◽Education and prep for pregnancy, birth and postpartum (i.e. birth & postpartum plans, childbirth & breastfeeding education, understanding the pregnant body vs. the postpartum body)

◽Bringing back the sacredness of traditional postpartum care-prioritizing rest, healing, bonding with baby, proper nutrition to restore the body and going slow (mothering the mother)

If you're looking for guidance on how to prepare for birth & parenthood and thrive during your postpartum period all while receiving whole person care & support, contact me today to schedule a consultation.

Now offering:

✅ Birth & Postpartum Doula Support
✅ Postpartum Nutrition Plans & Meal Prep
✅ New Parent Mentorship
✅ Childbirth & Parenting Classes
✅ Family Consulting Services

✨ Virtual doula support is also available ✨

www.bestofbothworldsnc.com

11/11/2025

This week at TAPS:
Registration links in bio! Follow for more great parenting support

✨Get to know TAPS mission and meet our ED at our virtual connection call on Tuesday at noon on Zoom.
🤱Support for all your feeding challenges Wednesday at 1pm at the Diaper Train in Raleigh
😍Newborn PEPS group starts in Durham on Thursday at 10am!
💝Meet TAPS staff and get free goodies at the Best Baby Wake Community Baby Shower on Saturday at 11am at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA

11/10/2025

Scientists have discovered that menstrual blood is far more biologically complex than once thought — containing over 1,000 distinct proteins, with around 385 unique to the endometrium (uterine lining) and not present in regular blood. These unique proteins are involved in cell growth, tissue regeneration, and immune regulation, according to researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China. Because the uterine lining regenerates itself every month, menstrual blood naturally contains stem cells, cytokines, and growth factors that could play a key role in healing and repair mechanisms.

This discovery is opening new avenues in regenerative medicine — scientists are studying how menstrual blood could be used as a non-invasive source of stem cells for therapies aimed at repairing heart tissue, bone damage, or even neurodegenerative diseases.
The female body, once again, proves its extraordinary ability for renewal and self-repair — shedding, healing, and rebuilding itself every month in a perfect cycle of regeneration.

11/09/2025

INFANT FORMULA RECALL

Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.

11/08/2025

✨ Doula Mentorship: Elevate Your Purpose & Your Practice ✨

In birth work, we pour so much into others, but we also need places to be poured into. Connecting with other doulas through mentorship isn’t just about gaining skills. It strengthens our community, ensures sustainability in our work, and helps us grow in ways that benefit every family we support. When doulas support doulas, everybody wins. That is the main reason I became a mentor. Connecting and collaborating with other like-minded doulas allows me to share my knowledge & experience, bolster community resources and step deeper into my calling.

Whether you are a new doula finding your footing in birth work or a seasoned professional ready to rebrand, refocus, or reignite your passion, mentorship with Best of Both Worlds Doula Services is designed to help you grow with confidence and clarity.

Here’s what you’ll gain when you invest in mentorship with me:

🌱 Guided Business Growth: Learn how to manage your birth business efficiently and build a sustainable operation that works while you sleep.

📝 Personalized Strategy & Business Plan: Receive tailored support to refine your services, messaging, and niche from a seasoned doula.

🤝 Networking & Community Opportunities: Connect with other birth workers and local entrepreneurs who share your heart for families.

🫂 Flexibility With Your Support: You choose between single business consultations as you need them or ongoing mentorship for up to 1 year.

Your calling deserves structure, strategy, and support. Let’s make your doula practice the best of both worlds — purpose-driven and profitable.

Swipe to read a testimonial from one of my 2025 mentees 👉🏾

📩 DM “MENTORSHIP” to learn more about upcoming mentorship opportunities or complete the contact form on my website to schedule a consultation.

www.bestofbothworldsnc.com/contact

11/07/2025