Meet Ny-Asia El | Wholistic Doula/Birth Keeper

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ny-Asia El and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ny-Asia, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
To be frank I don’t necessarily see an “end” to my career. The goal however is to be a granny midwive, having built a safe space in which birthing persons can birth, heal and learn.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Being a doula puts me in a position to doula myself before i can be a doula to birthing persons. One of my instructors made it a point to teach us that we cannot hold space for others if we cannot set aside our egos or hold space for ourselves. The only way we can set self aside and be fully present in birth, is if our own cup is full. My career is unpredictable, exciting and alot of times high emotions. Offering continuous support to a family ushering their legacy earth side isn’t always “easy” but it is much needed considering the system we birth into.

I truthfully don’t want to be set apart from other birth workers, I feel we do not benefit from it. Coming together for the betterment of our community is how we truly make the difference. I am most excited to witness more birthing people taking back their power when it comes to pregnancy and labor. I look forward to watching the shift from disconnected births to fully autonomous, pride filled birth spaces in the black community.

I got here because I was supposed to be here. This work isn’t something you simply pick up as a hobby. You either were born to do this or led here from life experience. It wasn’t easy because learning how to support others means your own baggage comes to light and requires you to do the inner work. Again, this is highly emotional and transformational work. You overcome the challenges a day at a time and by giving yourself grace. I still, years into the work, overcome challenges. The biggest take away from birth work is, in those spaces your opinions do not matter. It doesn’t matter how much you know or think you know, your job is to encourage and support the decisions being made without your judgements.

I simply want the world to know that what I, Mecca Wholistic Birth & Postpartum Care, and many others do isn’t new and it isn’t a phase. We are returning back to what we innately know to do to support future generations. It is possible to have a love, safe and informed space to birth, even if that’s at home. You have the power, you simply have to remember.

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?
I am first taking them to the West End first to visit and support some black owned business! On that list would definitely be Wadada, youll know youre there because Cole and Tuck will be out there setting the mood with the tunes. And you can’t just bypass Mangoes without getting some patties and Escovich lol. Is it sad that all the hang outs are food related? Because we would certainly have to visit the ATL food truck park. I have seen black businesses blossom out that space and it so beautiful. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t take my friend to Royal Health World. Nikka and her husband really perfected the metaphysical space coupled with incredible food. EVERY product, service offered comes from someone in the community. Another favorite is Black Dot bookstore/Cafe and it happens to be next door from another food spot lol. Green Love Kitchen. If you haven’t already caught on I’m taking my homes everywhere it’s blickaty black. We can take a little break and hit up Ponce City Market and rooftop for the night. It would only be right to check out some nature spots as well, Stone Mtn, Arabia mountain, and NW GA has beautiful spots to hike. I am not much of a night lifer so I can’t speak to heavily on what to do for that, but what I do enjoy about Atlanta collectively is that everywhere you go you meet folks and next thing you know yall hanging out somewhere lol.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My instructors for certain. Finding the right programs to guide me through the journey was extremely important. Nar of Protector of the Womb, Whapio of The Matrona and Sumiyyah Franklin of Sumi’s Touch really shifted my perspective of birth work/birth keeping. I absolutely believed if I went the “conventional” method of learning doula work I would not be satisfied as a provider, and wouldn’t have the tools necessary to navigate the emotional and spiritual aspect of this duty.

Website: https://www.meccawholisticbirth.com/

Instagram: MeccaWholisticCare

Image Credits
Photos taken by me.