151 | The Other Side - Lare Ngofa

In collaboration with Pacify Health, this month’s episodes will focus on the doulas. You’ll hear conversations with four Pacify Doulas, getting a chance to reflect on “ The Other Side” of birth. Today we meet Lare Ngofa. Free-Spirited, science-loving Lare is a birth and postpartum doula who entered the birth worker world when she caught her baby cousin at age 16. She deepened her knowledge of holistic pregnancy care through education and family conversations, but she waited to move forward in the work as she wanted to explore other avenues. While working through her career choices, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Lare shifted gears to care for her and her autistic brothers. Unfortunately, treatment would not heal Lare’s mother as she passed away after a brief hospice stay. Lare refocused her intentions on what family and work would look like; as she managed the waves of grief.  Lare finally trained as a doula with the support of her cousin and has developed a practice that features intuitive and holistic care in the Los Angeles area. Supporting families in-person and virtually allows Lare and other birth workers to be accessible to families who want their services. Doulas spend a lot of time educating families on their options and encouraging them to give birth without fear. Lare found that her clients teach her new techniques and advice as well. One client taught her the value of a focal point in the birthing space and reminded her that she told her, ”Surrender or be dragged; surrender to this process or be dragged through it.” The connection between doulas, birth givers, and new parents can vary based on personalities and individual needs. This unique relationship helps build trust and confidence for birth and the subsequent parenting journey. Doulas can only take credit for the role required of them and how they show up in sacred spaces. Choosing to connect and open up about our experiences and concerns about pregnancy and birth is developed by taking the first step of reaching out to a known resource. Every call will not be a deep and emotional conversation, but every call is a human connection. Working with Pacify has added value to Lare’s doula practice; she is now accessible to people who may not be within her reach financially or geographically.