Primary MidwifeAs a Primary Midwife, Kaiayo is committed to using their calm, healing energy to support your birth and your new beginning. Kaiayo is with you as your life shifts to include a new being - as you become a parent. They believe that birthing people are warriors and should be honored, celebrated and graced with love. Birthing people have held and birthed new life into this Universe. They strive to witness your journey as you conquer a great challenge-giving birth to another human being.
Reproductive Justice
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Kaiayo Z. Shatteen (they/them/theirs) is a Black Indigenous, Queer Parent of two young adults. They are blessed to reside on the Unceded Land of the Lisjan Ohlone People where they are a Reproductive Justice Advocate & Consultant, Apprentice Midwife, Herbal Alchemist, LGBTIQA2S+ Equity Consultant and a Recovery Motivational Speaker.
They have a deep commitment to ending the injustice that puts BIPOC, LGBTIQA2S+ and Gender Non Conforming communities at the bottom when it comes to positive birth outcomes, access to inclusive and traditional health care, and equity in the workplace . They are committed to using their calm, healing energy to support and nurture their community. This work is an answer to Ancestral calling and they are guided by their Ancestors daily. In 2019, their favorite aunt became an Ancestor. During that transition, it was made clear to Kaiayo that they needed to change their life to become a better person. They have been in recovery since June 2019 and have committed themselves to honoring their Ancestors; studying Buddhism and walking the Eightfold Path towards becoming a Bodhisattva; sharing the benefits of their sobriety and staying on the path of recovery. 
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MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY
MidwiferyIn 2018, I answered the ancestral call and started midwifery school with National Midwifery Institute.*
As a Primary Midwife in the final phase of midwifery school, I provide nurturing care at prenatal visits, support the birthing person during the labor and birth, and during postpartum visits, I offer lactation and self-care guidance to the new parents. Currently I am apprenticing with Certified Professional Midwife Anjali Sardeshmukh of Amma Midwifery. 
Why midwifery? The facts about birthing outcomes for Black and Indigenous Birthing People are grim but changeable as more of us take charge of our health. To close racial gaps in health, we need to disrupt racism at multiple levels. Right now, I am choosing to tackle the inequities in health care in regards to pregnancy and infant care. As more people begin to birth out of the hospital or at home with midwives, I believe our outcomes will become progressively better. I have supported numerous families by being with them before, during, and after their births to ensure the greatest health outcomes. I do this work because I believe our communities deserve better, and I am committed to participating in better birthing outcomes and healthier lives overall.
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Support my journey and know this: I will help tons of families get the quality care they deserve as they bring new life into the world!
Bring attention to the racial disparities in birth and support a #FutureBlackMidwife by purchasing a Black Birth Matters shirt on Bonfire! Have a shirt already, get a Black Birth Matters tote bag on Bonfire! Deep gratitude to the midwives who are mentoring me and participating in my growth! A special thanks to the many families I had the honor of serving as an apprentice midwife! My journey wouldn’t be complete without you! 
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*NMI is a direct-entry midwifery program, accredited by Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). MEAC is a non-profit accrediting body approved by the US Department of Education as a nationally-recognized accrediting agency for direct-entry midwifery education programs. A Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM) is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through apprenticeship, self-study, a midwifery school, or a college/university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife provides the Midwives Model of Care to healthy pregnant people, and newborns through the childbearing cycle (primarily in out-of-hospital settings including homes and free-standing birth centers) and may also provide gynecological wellness care.
"Birthwork is Justice work"
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MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY
Herbal HealingIn an effort to honor my Ancestors, I have continued the tradition of herbal healing during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. Thanks to the knowledge of Devin Nicholas, Master Herbalist of Divine Birth Wisdom, I have remembered the ways of healing with herbs that the Black Midwives of the South brought with them from West Africa during enslavement.
In 2018, I took her Grandma's Hands Pregnancy and Postpartum Herbs & Nutrition 6 week Online Course focusing on the Herbs and Healing Modalities Historically used by Black Southern Midwives. This course reminded me of my love for herbs and introduced me to medicine making. 
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In 2019, she came to Oakland and I participated in her Grandma's Hands Pregnancy & Postpartum Herb and Nutrition in the Southern Tradition 1 Day Workshop. It was an 8 hour intensive hands on workshop covering the history of Black Midwifery in the South along with the herbs and healing modalities of the traditional Southern Black community. This workshop deepened my learning and inspired me to expand my herbal offerings for the entire family!
To Find out more about Divine and her services, click the button below. |
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IN THE MEDIA
Kaiayo Shatteen is vocal and passionate about the work they do in their community.
Check them out in these articles, blogpost, podcast and a Prenatal & Postpartum Wellness Series where they discuss Black Motherhood, Reproductive Justice for Black Indigenous People of Color, being a Black Midwifery Student, centering joy, and having a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period. |
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Featured in....
Last year Kaiayo had the pleasure of being on a panel for The International Buddhist Recovery Summit. They spoke about their journey of recovery.
The Huffington Post Dynamic Doulas 3 When asked about the hurdles they have faced as a Black Doula they said, "Most medical professionals have shown me great respect and have leaned on me when they didn't have the answers for their patient, my client…”. Read more here.
The Birth Bruja Podcast
Ep. 8 Birthwork For Folks Of Color, Roots Of Labor Birth Collective Series, Pt 1
Listen here to Kaiayo Shatteen & Melissa Reyes as they discuss the importance of the Roots of Labor Birth Collective Doula Training with Birth Bruja Podcast creator, Eri Guajardo Johnson.
Doula Chronicles Kaiayo Shatteen was interviewed by Efe Osaren of Doula Chronicles, a blog focused on holistic uterine health and reproductive care by creating easier access to reproductive and pregnancy education for people of color. Read what they had to say here.
These Black Mothers Are Changing The Media Narrative Around Their Lives — Here's How
"It's important for Black mamas to tell their stories because we matter. Sometimes our stories get overlooked. In order for us to be free and liberate ourselves…". Fellow Kaiayo Shatteen said in a video by Channel Black on The Black Mama’s Storytelling Fellowship. Read the rest of the Blavity article here.
Black Mothers Change the Narrative By Telling Their Stories
An advocate for reproductive justice, she says the program has given her the language to speak openly about the reproductive issues that affect Black Birthing People. Read the rest of the yes! Article here.
Natural Resources Kaiayo Shatteen was asked in an article, “How do Black midwives center joy and celebration in pregnancy and birth for Black parents?” “We celebrate EVERYTHING! Whether it be with food, song, dance, you name it, we celebrate…”. Our love of Blackness shines through in the care we give to our clients!.Read the rest of the interview here.
Love in the Time of Covid-19: “I’ve asked many people how their hearts and spirits are during this time. Many people feel the heaviness and struggle of being alone at this time.” Kaiayo reflects on page 32 in a beautiful Zine, by Claudia Luz Suarez and Javiera Torres. It’s a collection of recipes, writings, music and art for the quarantined soul. Read the rest of what Kaiayo said here.
EmbraceBIRTH Education is an eight-part weekly childbirth class series based on the specific cultural and social context faced by Black Birthing People during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, sponsored by The Alameda Public Health Department in partnership with Kaiayo Shatteen and Jyesha Wren. Learn more about the program here.
Anthem Blue Cross In 2021, Kaiayo designed and implemented a Pregnancy & Postpartum Wellness Series for their Medi-Cal recipients. Check out the sessions here!
The Huffington Post Dynamic Doulas 3 When asked about the hurdles they have faced as a Black Doula they said, "Most medical professionals have shown me great respect and have leaned on me when they didn't have the answers for their patient, my client…”. Read more here.
The Birth Bruja Podcast
Ep. 8 Birthwork For Folks Of Color, Roots Of Labor Birth Collective Series, Pt 1
Listen here to Kaiayo Shatteen & Melissa Reyes as they discuss the importance of the Roots of Labor Birth Collective Doula Training with Birth Bruja Podcast creator, Eri Guajardo Johnson.
Doula Chronicles Kaiayo Shatteen was interviewed by Efe Osaren of Doula Chronicles, a blog focused on holistic uterine health and reproductive care by creating easier access to reproductive and pregnancy education for people of color. Read what they had to say here.
These Black Mothers Are Changing The Media Narrative Around Their Lives — Here's How
"It's important for Black mamas to tell their stories because we matter. Sometimes our stories get overlooked. In order for us to be free and liberate ourselves…". Fellow Kaiayo Shatteen said in a video by Channel Black on The Black Mama’s Storytelling Fellowship. Read the rest of the Blavity article here.
Black Mothers Change the Narrative By Telling Their Stories
An advocate for reproductive justice, she says the program has given her the language to speak openly about the reproductive issues that affect Black Birthing People. Read the rest of the yes! Article here.
Natural Resources Kaiayo Shatteen was asked in an article, “How do Black midwives center joy and celebration in pregnancy and birth for Black parents?” “We celebrate EVERYTHING! Whether it be with food, song, dance, you name it, we celebrate…”. Our love of Blackness shines through in the care we give to our clients!.Read the rest of the interview here.
Love in the Time of Covid-19: “I’ve asked many people how their hearts and spirits are during this time. Many people feel the heaviness and struggle of being alone at this time.” Kaiayo reflects on page 32 in a beautiful Zine, by Claudia Luz Suarez and Javiera Torres. It’s a collection of recipes, writings, music and art for the quarantined soul. Read the rest of what Kaiayo said here.
EmbraceBIRTH Education is an eight-part weekly childbirth class series based on the specific cultural and social context faced by Black Birthing People during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, sponsored by The Alameda Public Health Department in partnership with Kaiayo Shatteen and Jyesha Wren. Learn more about the program here.
Anthem Blue Cross In 2021, Kaiayo designed and implemented a Pregnancy & Postpartum Wellness Series for their Medi-Cal recipients. Check out the sessions here!