Mesa business helps moms after giving birth

Apr. 20—With postpartum hemorrhage being the second leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States, post-birth care is crucial for mothers.

Knowing the dire statistics about American maternal health, Mesa business owner Princess McKinney-Kirk decided her skills as a doula could be an asset to mothers.

In 2013, McKinney-Kirk launched her postnatal care company, Bellibind, to extend maternal care beyond birth.

The company strives to bridge the gap between birth and the standard six-week post-birth OBGYN visit.

Bellibind sells stomach wraps that, when tied using East Asian knotting techniques, are designed to stimulate postural support, hip stability, shortened postpartum bleeding, and a firm uterus.

"The placement of the knots on what traditional Chinese medicine refers to as meridian lines stimulates energy channels. This stimulation is so impactful and beneficial to our body," said McKinney-Kirk.

The company also offers in-home sessions in which certified doulas lead meditations, lymphatic drainage massages, healing counseling, or belly-binding training.

After seeing the clients who gravitated towards her services, McKinney-Kirk realized the benefits of belly binders could also be of value to mothers enduring womb loss.

"Womb loss is an experience a woman goes through after what society would normally call a miscarriage. The word miscarriage can sometimes feel very negative," said McKinney-Kirk.

"Womb loss speaks to what is truly happening for a woman in her moment of loss, whether it's early pregnancy loss or even infant loss; her womb feels empty," added McKinney-Kirk.

The stomach binders help to fill this void.

"We use the comfort of the binding as a container of support and warmth. A belly binder feels like a hug," said McKinney-Kirk.

"Our practitioners also provide a non-judgemental listening ear so women can express whatever is coming up emotionally for them. We use trauma-sensitive language to encapsulate their experience with positive support rather than an emphasis on grief and loss," added McKinney-Kirk.

As a Black mother and doula, McKinney-Kirk is an expert in Black maternal healthcare.

"With Black maternal health, there is an undeniable systemic issue within the hospital system. This is due to policies and systemic racism that are present," said McKinney-Kirk.

"The hospital system is flooded with patients, so our services are a way to take stress off and provide support in an area that is really needed," added McKinney-Kirk.

With Black Maternal Health Week marked April 11-17, McKinney-Kirk's mission is especially pertinent.

For McKinney-Kirk, accessibility is important in ensuring that as many mothers as possible receive support.

"One way we make postnatal care accessible is through affordability. Our cheapest kit is $115," said McKinney-Kirk.

In addition to prioritizing mothers as the "MVPs" of the family, Bellibind also prioritizes giving back to the community.

Every year, Bellibind offers 100 mothers experiencing womb loss pro bono services.

"For our pro bono experiences, we are offering a single session service. This session is meant to help the women honor their bodies after loss, set a healthy foundation, and give themselves grace," said McKinney-Kirk.

The session includes gentle lymphatic bodywork to calm a mother's overstimulated parasympathetic nervous system, a womb connection experience to send love and healing to the womb space, and meditation and abdominal rub to release energetic trauma that lingers after loss.

At the conclusion of the session, Bellibind also gives pro bono clients a wrap and wrap fitting.

"With each layer we wrap around our clients, we hope they feel strengthened, encouraged, and confident," said McKinney-Kirk.

Mothers can either apply for themselves or be nominated by a third party through the company's website.

The business also donates stomach wraps to GiveNKind, a nonprofit that matches donated retail items to individuals in need.

Bellibind also donates a portion of its sales to Postpartum Support International, an organization that supports mothers with postpartum mood or anxiety disorders.

Information: bellibind.com or [email protected].