The Garden Reproductive Health

Goodbye Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.!
My family and I are PCS'ing to O'ahu this summer.

It's been a fun ride these last 9 years but it is time to move on.
I will miss my community and the families I've assisted during these years.

During this transition, I will be available for virtual support only.
If you are in need of in-person resources please feel free to reach out to me and I will help you the best that I can.

This fall I will begin working with Selena Green of Hale Kealaula to complete my CPM studies and serve the families of O'ahu.

Happy Black Midwives Day!

Happy Black Midwives Day!

I am honored to be the awardee for the Returning Descendance of Grand Midwives scholarship.

Congratulations, Mel!

Mel Kennedy (They/Them)

Mel is Q***r, Black, and Neurodivergent and serves the Virginia, Maryland, and DC area as a full spectrum Doula, Community Herbalist, Childbirth Educator, and Certified Lactation Consultant under their business The Garden Reproductive Health: “For All The Seasons Of Your Life”. Mel has been working in the Reproductive Justice community since 2009. They are incredibly passionate about inclusive and holistic reproductive health care for ALL people. To help achieve that goal, Mel is currently studying to become a Certified Professional Midwife in the Commonwealth of Virginia with the National Midwifery Institute and is in Phase 3 of their studies

Insta:

FB: facebook.com/TheGardenReproductiveHealth

Website: www.thegardenreproductivehealth.com

It is with great sadness that I must reach out to my community to ask for support for these grieving parents.

I was honored to be the birth assistant to Elizabeth Reiner /Midwife at and welcome baby Redemption into this world with his Moms on Christmas Day.

Please help support this heartbroken family as they navigate this deep loss and trauma. Money raised will go toward their mental and physical health care and daily expenses—as they are self-employed and unable to work at this time.

Please respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.

https://gofund.me/60485705

link in bio

Happy 2023 everyone!
2022 was great year for learning and growing.
I was able to support 50 families as a birth and postpartum doula, with lactation support, and as a student midwife.

Here's to a year of continued progress, supportive community, and welcoming families
#2023

Pass the Mic: Interview with Mel Kennedy on Trans-Centred Midwifery Care

Thank you International Confederation of Midwives for centering Trans and Q***r voices this week

📣 As we close out , it’s time to to Mel Kennedy 🎤

Mel Kennedy (they/them) is a Black, q***r, non-binary, and neurodivergent full-spectrum Doula, Certified Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator, student midwife, and reproductive justice advocate in the US. Mel’s role in birth work is deeply connected to intersectional justice and liberation. For , we talked to them about q***r- and trans-inclusive care and education.

Pass the Mic: Interview with Mel Kennedy on Trans-Centred Midwifery Care In this volume of Pass the Mic, we seek to educate midwives on how midwifery care can centre the needs of trans and nonbinary people. Throughout Trans Awaren...

People often ask me how I deal with not being 'wanted'.
As someone's Doula, Lactation consultant, Student Midwife, a speaker at an event, or anything where I am actively sought then avoided/dismissed/emailed or texted later that "it's not going to work out".

I have had many years of rejections and many years of therapy to help me understand that it's ok;
It's ok to feel sad that something about my physical presents is off-putting,
it's ok to be angry that I have to keep justifying my existence,
It's ok to be full of doubt if I am a good enough person,
It's ok to wonder how I can change so maybe they will like me enough to keep me around,

I am not everyone's flavor and that's ok.
I know who I am and I am ok with that.
My Ancestors protect me from those that might cause me harm.

But you want to know what's not ok?
Being used as a token for "inclusion"
People using religion to discriminate
People remaining silent in the face of injustice
Organizations not wanting to update language because it might 'turn off ' some of their audience

I can hear the dogs hollering in the distance

"I don't want anyone who doesn't want me." - Oprah Winfrey

Text description: Don't be where you're not wanted

***rmidwife ***rdoula

I was selected as a mentee for the 4th cohort mentorship program with National Black Midwives Alliance

Special shout out to my Mentor Amanda Chandler of

Text description:

The mentorship program is in progress! In July, we were excited to welcome all the amazing students we were able to accommodate this year in our 4th mentee cohort and look forward to seeing how the experience impacts their journey. We will be featuring several students from the program in the The mentorship program is in progress! In July, we were excited to welcome all the amazing students we were able to accommodate this year in our 4th mentee cohort and look forward to seeing how the experience impacts their journey. We will be featuring several students from the program in the months.

Today we are starting with Mel (They/Them) who is a Q***r, Neurodiverse, Black Student Midwife with NMI. They are a full-spectrum Doula, CLC, and CBE in Gainesville, Virginia. We celebrate you, Mel!

Congratulations to our 1st two $5000 recipients for the DGM Scholarship.

Next application opens spring 2023



Mel Kennedy (They/Them)
Mel has been working in the Reproductive Justice community since 2009. They are extremely passionate about inclusive reproductive health care for all people. Mel serves the Virginia,Maryland, and DC area as a full spectrum Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Certified Lactation Consultant.
Mel is currently studying to become a Certified Professional Midwife with the National Midwifery Institute.
Insta:
FB: facebook.com/TheGardenReproductiveHealth
Website: https://www.thegardenreproductivehealth.com/
cash app: $melken85
venmo: Melken85

Thank you Q***r and Transgender Midwives Association for featuring me today!

Meet Mel Kennedy (they/them), a Black, q***r, and non-binary doula and student midwife in Gainesville, VA.

They said, "My role in birthwork is deeply connected to intersectional justice and liberation. From my ancestors, through my community, out of the sweat and blood that cover these streets. White supremacy, Patriarchy, Homophobia, Transphobia; are all interconnected. 'There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives,' as Audre Lorde said. Changing the medical language to be inclusive, trashing the cis-hetro nuclear family default, giving true choices to the people, and then advocating for them fully is how liberation begins.

You can find Mel at:
www.thegardenreproductivehealth.com
Facebook: The Garden Reproductive Health
Instagram: Mel_Kennedy_Garden

The Q***r and Trans Midwives Association wants to honor and increase visibility of BIPOC Q***r and Trans Midwives. Would you like to be featured? Fill out the form!
https://forms.gle/HEcAGeXNWVNhyLrc7

***rOutLoud

Student Midwife, Mel, auscultating baby’s lungs while mama and baby try their first go at an upright breastfeeding position. #CPM #studentmidwife #uprightbreastfeeding #midwiferycare

Action shot of me working with Sage Midwifery, PLLC as a student midwife

Student Midwife, Mel, auscultating baby’s lungs while mama and baby try their first go at an upright breastfeeding position. #CPM #studentmidwife #uprightbreastfeeding #midwiferycare

'I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'till I own it"

Studying to become a Certified Professional Midwife is a journey that is full of gatekeeping, setting up emotional boundaries, and moments of personal doubts.
Without my community's continued support: Education, emotional, mental and spiritual support, this journey would be so much harder.

Thank you to Amy Miller of Red House Birth (https://www.redhousebirth.com/) for opening your space to students and allowing us a safe space to practice skills.

***rmidwife ***rconception

We were fortunate enough to be funded by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs ( ) to bring free LGBTQ+ Parent Groups to our community in 2022. is our wonderful facilitator for these groups and leads them multiple times a month virtually (so even people not local to DC can join!). There is one option for expecting parents and another for once baby is born. Give the group a try and see if it’s a good fit for you and your family!

Signed up and ready to go!

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CONFERENCE & TRAINING INSTITUTE
Sept 17-18, 2022
This year's conference will offer a hybrid experience, hosting both in-person and virtual events. In-person events will be held at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel.

Learn more and register at:
http://blackmamasmatter.org/2022-black-maternal-health-conference/
***rdoula ***rmidwife ***randblack

Here is my Birth Doula availability for the rest of the year.
September, November, and December; THAT'S IT!
Balancing my midwifery apprenticeship, school work, home life, and being there for my personal Doula clients; I only take on one client a month.

DM me if you want to set up an interview and see if I am the Doula for your journey!

***rdoula

Hey Ya'll!

I am a Virginia Notary Public now
A Virginia notary public can notarize signatures, administer oaths, and certify copies.

Virginia notaries are not authorized to certify true copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates.

$5 for each notarial act Plus travel fees

DM me for appointments!

https://www.thegardenreproductivehealth.com/

Here is the availability for the rest of 2022 with the awesome Midwives of / Sage Midwifery, PLLC that I am currently apprenticing with!

Sam and Roni are some of the most inclusive, holistic, and fierce reproductive advocates that I have had the honor of working with within the VA/MD/DC area.
They know that being an Ally is VERB.

They perform well-person care, IUI's, Prenatal, Postpartum, and homebirth for ALL people.

Message or call them today if you are looking for high-quality and inclusive care.

Plus you'll get to see me and help me along my CPM journey

***rmidwife ***rconception

April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness month

Support:

Autistic Self Advocacy Network
autisticadvocacy.org

Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network
awnnetwork.org

I

"A positive birth experience does not have to be unmedicated, it just needs to be from an informed place of positivity and not fear."
Lauren J. Turner BirthNerds
Buy this quote on a shirt from
https://birthnerds.com/product/a-postitive-birth-shirt/

When working as a Doula, I tend to be called to people who need a person to walk side by side with them in advocating for the birth they want in a hospital setting. There is such a toxic culture around "natural" birth and if you don't birth in XYZ fashion, then you are a failure.

NOPE!

Not in this space!

Choice is choice.

Do you want an epidural? Get one.
Do you want to keep your placenta? Take it.
Do you want to elect to have a cesarean section? Pick the date.

People need to make the best choices for themselves. With choice comes the responsibility of research.

Make a Pros and Cons list.
Talk to people who have made a similar choice.
Read studies.
Consider your health needs.

I am here to support you on whatever path you choose to take.

See you all there!!

Rainbow Families LGBTQ+ Family Conference 2022
05/14/202
Silver Spring MD

Get ready for a wonderful day! A full day of workshops, inspiration, important discussions, and community-building. This year's planned highlights include:

-Uplifting opening ceremony including our Hero of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award presentations. Featured speakers to include V Spehar - activist, volunteer, host of LA Times' Tik-Tok and Under the Desk News

-Resource Fair with LGBTQ+ owned/inclusive businesses & service providers, including discounts and giveaways

-Shuttle service to/from Glenmont Metro (limited timing/schedule)

-Workshops

-A dedicated meet-up for LGBTQ Parents (and Prospective Parents) of Color

Sign up at: https://rainbowfamilies.org/events/

-KIDS CAMP - Read this to learn more about this year's Kids Camp option

Maryland opportunity!

Baltimore County Health Department is throwing three (3) free community baby showers over the next few months. They have tons of free things to give away! Strollers, pack n plays, diapers, books (in Spanish and English), sleep sacks, pacifiers, and much more. They’ll have snacks, Zumba, tables with info. It’s going to be great!
Feel free to pass along or ask questions!

Thank you (Kelsey C.) for helping to organize and promote this event!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry for the radio silence these last couple of months.
I've been working hard behind the scenes and am proud to announce a collaboration with The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington!

LGBTQ+ Postnatal Group
2nd and 4th Thursdays
10:30AM-12PM
3rd Thursday
7-8:30PM
Cost: FREE
Meets Virtually
Open to people everywhere, not just the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area!

This Group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community who have welcomed a new baby into their family in the past year. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for new parents. You can attend this group as the birthing person, partner, alone or together.

You must reserve your spot by going to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18081780&appointmentType=20574117

Hello Everyone!

Sorry for the radio silence these last couple of months.
I've been working hard behind the scenes and am proud to announce a collaboration with The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington!

LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group
2nd and 4th Thursdays
7-8:30PM
Cost: FREE
Meets Virtually
Open to people everywhere, not just the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area!

This Group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community preparing to welcome a baby into their family. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for soon-to-be parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are at any stage of pregnancy. You can attend this group as a pregnant person, partner, alone or together.

You must reserve your spot by going to:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18081780&appointmentType=30421795

LGBT Foundation are proud to celebrate Trans Parent Day, which falls on the first Sunday of November.

This year, we'd like to mark the occasion by sharing some of the findings from the Improving Trans Experiences of Maternity Services (ITEMS) research project. We're so grateful to all of the trans parents, practitioners, and others who participated in this project, and we can't wait to publish the full report later this year!

Infographic text:

Happy Trans Parent Day!
7th November 2021

Today, we celebrate that more trans and non-binary people than ever feel confident to have children while out and proud.

"Our strength is in our community. The hardest part in my first pregnancy, 10 years ago, was being alone in this huge experience. Now I have other people to relate to and to share with, others like me, and I know we will always be there for one another." - Yuval, birthing parent of three children

ITEMS is a research project aimed at improving trans and non-binary birthing parents' experiences of health care.

30% of trans and non-binary birthing parents didn't access maternity support during pregnancy. This is 46% among people of colour, compared to up to 2.1% of the general population.

Our key recommendations include that midwives should be supported to deliver individualised care; services should use inclusive language and sensitively collect information about gender identity, and NHSE&I should provide targeted information and support for trans and non-binary birthing parents.

Thanks to all the trans parents who took part!