Title:Tools of the Trade

Nicole Deggins (NHS’94), maternal child health consultant, educator, advocate, and founder of Sista Midwife Productions

Like many midwives, Nicole Deggins experienced a sense of calling that drew her to the field. Today the New Orleans native is a maternal child health consultant, educator, advocate, and founder of Sista Midwife Productions, with a mission to make birth better and change the way people think about conception, pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

“I teach and train doulas but also engage in conversation with hospital systems, insurance providers, and governmental organizations around policies on doulas and midwives.”

The tools she uses have changed over the years, but one aspect has remained consistent: careful listening.

“During my years as a practicing midwife, I was primarily hospital-based. I used a Doppler (1) and a fetoscope (2) to auscultate fetal heart tones in utero. I used a measuring tape (3) for clinical assessment during regular visits, and for deliveries, clamps (4) and cord scissors (5).”

“There are also tools like ears and heart. As a midwife, you must be with your moms in an open-hearted way, to receive and hold space for them. Being an intentional listener is very important, not only for the socio-emotional space for the mother and family, but also for clinical judgment—what are the symptoms that she’s describing?”

Today Deggins uses her computer (6) for her website and online teaching, and rental cars (7) to do her advocacy work across the state of Louisiana, often to rural areas with high need.

“Now I am helping others help families have a better birth experience. I help doulas thrive in their work and help hospitals figure out how to integrate doulas into their system, and help insurance providers figure out how to reimburse doulas.”

“Another tool is my voice—as a speaker and a consultant, I am very aware of the value of what I have to say. And I’m not afraid to say it.”