Meet Aeryka Harvey: MPH, PGY1, Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aeryka Harvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aeryka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My first thought was “Oh this should be easy!” I was sadly mistaken!

I knew that I wanted to be a champion for change, I knew how I wanted to do it but I didn’t know where to begin.

I knew that I wanted to stay true to myself and fight for what I believe in but walk into something new boldly and confidently.

I started my business during my second year of medical school and I wasn’t sure how to do it, how it would be sustained, how I would find time or anything. But I prayed this prayer: “God, you know my heart and my intentions. If this is your will for me, open the doors.”

So I did it! I started my business and the doors opened. Clients came in and haven’t stopped.

My goal of becoming an OBGYN and the new venture of becoming a doula aligned in a way I couldn’t have ever imagined. Of course the work makes sense but I’m enjoying combining knowledge from both of my worlds to serve my clients! It’s truly rewarding and fulfilling.

What should our readers know about your business?
Through Thick & Thin Doula Services was established as a personal call to action.

As a medical student I witnessed the blatant disregard and mistreatment of black mothers by medical professionals and wanted to do something to change the experiences that black mothers have. These mothers happened to be plus size, high risk, of advanced maternal age or teenagers. I was tired of it and wanted to do something about right now as opposed to waiting until I became an OBGYN.

Through Thick & Thin (T3 for short) was named such because my goal is to support birthing persons through everything that pregnancy and postpartum will throw at birthing persons. I support families through the happy, sad and overwhelming times that they might experience.

T3 is different because I didn’t just want it to be a doula-client relationship. Your doula should be the one person you’re most comfortable with in the birthing space so I wanted to create a family dynamic.

Family typically rides with you through thick and thin, right? I like clients to think of me as that favorite cousin they hang with at the family reunion! T3 is a family and I don’t leave family hanging.

T3 is currently offering in person and virtual birth, postpartum and bereavement doula services, childbirth education and placenta encapsulation services to all who wish to utilize my services but especially to plus size, high risk, advanced maternal age or teen moms.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta is a place with a lot of great places to see! I’m a brunch girl! So my favorite brunch spots are Negril ATL, Breakfast at Barney’s, ATL Breakfast Club and BQE! I have to let my nerdy side be great and hit the aquarium, the world of coke, botanical garden and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. I love a good photo shoot too so we definitely have to take some pictures on the Belt Line or at Ponce City Market! At some point we might get a good workout in and maybe walk up Stone Mountain. I love exploring Atlanta and I absolutely love finding new spots in the nooks and crannies too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom has been my biggest cheerleader in the building and sustaining of my business but she’s had some help. My best friend and fellow doula, Kirsten Green of Suga Sweet Birth Services in Tuscaloosa, AL has been encouraging me and pushing me to be better and perfect my craft. She’s been my sounding board, my shoulder to cry on and the person who reels me back in when I’m about to go off the deep end. Brandie Bishop of Your Tribe Family Services in Norcross, GA has been a great friend and doula sister! She, probably unbeknownst to her, has motivated me to grind harder and be better. She, too, reels me in!
Imani Byers of Rebyrth Wellness in Atlanta, GA has been my source of laughter and pure fun since I met her! She has an amazing spirit, a contagious smile and infectious laugh and she encourages my goofiness.

I love each of them for what they contribute to my life. I’m so grateful for them.

Website: Www.t3doulaervices.com

Instagram: @t3doulaervices

Twitter: @t3doulaservices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/T3DoulaServices

Yelp: http://url902.dubsado.com/ls/click?upn=kSNkWdph-2FwU-2FiSDgHvaQAnbAZKYmaoUTKD0KNe4dPKv5CHFUlrtGkJHJfSzgKonVQtPZdwHb4Dm-2F8iqqwBzyklgOjmod270w19KpgrSDoA2yEIgAsIQ627SGcX6o-2BAYAu-2BDeNr59XnBh-2FCFFGJlgQQ-3D-3Dx_eu_47zmhmF-2Bv4IIWd52bCnMt8GOpc7Uhl5e2dTumiJ2nOA3JF-2F-2FtWq2PShqi0vw-2BrD5GKOn0jTbTJNtId9VL0uwQkAr0TCq261FqR4brtOT7JCFSbGADl0qJ45pF4XB9GkqrrEretfR2xxgTD8FNCHI5XiO-2FqqKrSilborDpOZtL-2BGcRyNAPyZFPhKi59siI5H1jf7GmUt64pPFsXtTCahkpyhdJSdo0FNxo3cVSuZalC0-3D

Image Credits
Tyeisha Williams-Mills