The Shamanic Goddess

03/25/2026

Humbled. Honored. And looking forward to what’s next. 🙏🏽✨

I’ve officially been accepted into the 4th Cohort of the Megi High-Risk Doula Certification Program, in collaboration with King’s College London, the American Heart Association, Action on Pre-Eclampsia, and other leading institutions.

As a Traditional Midwife and Full-Spectrum Doula, this aligns perfectly with the work I’ve committed my life to; serving families with care that is not only compassionate and trauma-informed, but also medically informed and evidence-based.

This program is doing critical work in advancing women’s heart health and addressing the complexities of high-risk pregnancies, especially when it comes to conditions like preeclampsia.

Let’s be clear about why this matters:
Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. It is often detected too late. And in the U.S., up to 85% of women qualify for low-dose aspirin protocols to reduce risk, yet many are never informed in time.

Even more, women who experience preeclampsia face 4x higher lifetime cardiovascular risk.

This is not small. This is not optional. This is where advocacy, education, and early detection save lives.

And here’s the truth many overlook,
Doulas, midwives, and birthworkers are often the closest point of contact for expecting families. We are the ones seeing the day-to-day shifts. The subtle changes. The early warning signs.
Which means…we have a responsibility to be equipped.

This certification is a comprehensive, six-week advanced training designed to strengthen exactly that. It focuses on:
✨ Recognizing early red flags like rising blood pressure and preterm labor signs
✨ Proper blood pressure monitoring and documentation
✨ Supporting clients through medical decision-making and hospital systems
✨ Trauma-informed care and culturally competent advocacy
✨ NICU, postpartum recovery, and high-risk support strategies
✨ Using tools, trackers, and evidence-based protocols to stay proactive
✨ Addressing systemic barriers while showing up with confidence and clarity

This is the kind of training that bridges the gap between holistic care and clinical awareness.

High-risk families deserve advocates who are prepared—not guessing, not reacting late, but informed, present, and proactive.

And as someone who consistently pushes for higher standards in doula and birthwork education, I will always stand on this:
We cannot ask for better outcomes if we are not willing to deepen our knowledge and sharpen our skills.

This is how we elevate care.
This is how we protect lives.
This is how we change the narrative.

As a Holistic Health Practitioner, this certification allows me to be in the rooms and spaces with clients as a High-Risk Full-Spectrum Doula with advanced training to provide proper care and services for medically complex births.

Grateful for the opportunity. Ready to do the work. 💛

03/25/2026

This is BIG news—and long overdue. 🙌🏽✨

UnitedHealthcare has officially announced the nationwide expansion of doula support services, and this is a powerful step forward for maternal and infant health.

As an in-network provider and Full-Spectrum Doula, I am beyond honored and grateful to now extend my services to even more families—supporting them through the entire journey: from conception, to pregnancy, to postpartum. This work goes beyond clinical care. It’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and educational support—because birth is not just a medical event, it’s a life-changing experience that deserves to be held with intention and care.

The most important part is that virtual or in-person educational or doula services will be covered and included in the plan.

What makes this even more impactful? Accessibility.

Clients now have more flexibility than ever before:
• Coverage may include a set number of doula visits
• OR clients can pay out-of-pocket and request reimbursement

That means more families—especially those who previously couldn’t access this level of support—now have options. And options change outcomes.

We already know the data:
✨ Reduced rates of preterm birth and cesarean deliveries
✨ Decreased postpartum anxiety and depression
✨ Increased breastfeeding success and overall satisfaction with care

This isn’t just a “benefit.” This is a shift in how we approach maternal health.

For far too long, the system has overlooked the importance of continuous, culturally competent, trauma-informed support—especially for BIPOC communities who continue to face disproportionate maternal and neonatal outcomes.

This expansion is a step toward closing that gap.
And for me, this is personal. This is purpose. This is the work.

If you or someone you know is expecting, navigating postpartum, or planning your journey—now is the time to explore what doula support can look like for you.

We are changing the standard of care. One family at a time. 💛

UnitedHealthcare is expanding its doula benefit to employer plans nationwide, the insurance giant announced Monday. | UnitedHealthcare is expanding its doula benefit to employer plans nationwide, the insurance giant announced Monday.

03/25/2026

Well… here’s something people sometimes find surprising about me.

Yes — I’m a Naturopathic Doctor.
Yes — I’m a holistic practitioner.
Yes — I believe deeply in natural medicine, ancestral wisdom, and supporting the body’s innate ability to heal.

But I’m also an Integrative Medicine Doctor.

And that means something very important.

It means I believe in evidence-based science and medicine first.

Natural medicine and holistic care are powerful tools — but so is modern medicine. And when used appropriately, it has saved millions of lives.

The truth is…

Healing isn’t about choosing sides.
It’s about choosing the right tools for the situation.

And this same philosophy applies to maternal healthcare.

Yes, labor and birth have become overly medicalized in many hospital systems.

Yes, unnecessary interventions happen far too often.

But we can also acknowledge something equally important:

Sometimes those very same interventions save lives.

Emergency C-sections, surgical teams, NICUs, and medical monitoring exist for a reason — and when complications arise, they can be the difference between life and death.

For that, we are deeply grateful.

The real conversation around Maternal Healthcare Reform is not about eliminating hospital births.

It’s about improving the system.

It’s about creating maternity care that is:

• trauma-informed
• culturally aware
• free from racial bias
• centered around informed consent
• respectful of the birthing experience
• supportive of physiological birth when safe

As a traditional midwife and full-spectrum doula, one of the most difficult conversations we sometimes have with families is when we must say:

“A home birth may not be the safest option for you.”

That decision is never about rejection.

It is about protection.

A responsible provider must be honest about risk, understand their scope of practice, and recognize when a hospital setting may provide the safest environment for a particular pregnancy.

Being a good healthcare provider isn’t about ideology.

It’s about integrity, knowledge, and doing what protects both parent and baby.

As a mother who has experienced two very different births, I know firsthand how much the environment, the providers, and the level of respect you receive can shape your experience.

The people around you during birth can make or break that moment.

That’s why even when hospital births are necessary, I still advocate for:

• better hospital birthing environments
• more patient consent and autonomy
• freedom of movement during labor
• fewer unnecessary interventions
• policies that prioritize human experience over speed and profit

Birth should be safe, informed, and empowering — not rushed, dismissed, or traumatic.

I recently wrote a blog sharing my perspective as a midwife, doula, and maternal health advocate, exploring the balance between natural birth advocacy and the realities of modern medicine.

If you care about maternal health, birth rights, and improving the system for families everywhere, I invite you to read it.

📝 Read the full blog here:
https://theshamanicgoddess.com/my-blog/f/maternal-healthcare-reform-reclaiming-safety-dignity-and-birth

Because when we talk about reform, we aren’t rejecting medicine.
We’re asking for something better.

A system where science, compassion, and cultural respect work together to protect life.

— Dr. Dee 🌿

By Dr. Deilen Michelle Villegas, Traditional Midwife & Full Spectrum Doula

03/25/2026

Well… apparently, at the amazing age of 37, my body decided it wanted to unlock a new feature.

✨ Seasonal allergies. ✨

Nobody warned me this was part of the upgrade package.

Now, if you’re anywhere that’s starting to warm up, you already know what that means — pollen season has entered the chat. And with Friday forecasted to hit 81 degrees, the trees are about to celebrate by releasing their finest cloud of microscopic chaos into the air.

Right now, the biggest offenders are tree pollens, especially:
🌳 Oak
🌳 Cypress
🌳 Juniper
🌳 Cedar
🌳 Maple

And in some areas, warmer weather is also waking up mold spores from decomposing plant matter.

Which means a lot of people right now are walking around saying:
"Why does this cold refuse to go away?"

Plot twist… it might not be a cold at all.

Common Allergy Symptoms

Most people expect things like:
• itchy, watery eyes
• sneezing
• runny nose
• sinus congestion

But allergies can sometimes show up in ways people don’t expect.
For example, I noticed symptoms like:
• wheezing
• coughing
• chest tightness

And in more intense reactions, some people may experience:
• dizziness
• rapid pulse
• nausea
• stomach discomfort
• diarrhea
• increased anxiety

So let’s talk about a few holistic and naturopathic ways to support your body through allergy season without automatically reaching for half the pharmacy aisle.

🌿 Natural Ways to Support Your Body During Allergy Season

Saline Nasal Irrigation
Using a neti pot or saline spray helps flush pollen and mucus from the sinuses. This alone can make a huge difference.

Quercetin
A natural bioflavonoid that acts like a natural antihistamine. Found in foods like:
🍎 apples
🧅 red onions
🍓 berries
🥬 leafy greens

Local Raw Honey
Some people find that consuming local honey helps the body gradually adapt to local pollen exposure.

Butterbur & Nettle
These herbs have been studied for their ability to help reduce allergy symptoms and act as natural antihistamines.

Bromelain
An enzyme in pineapple that helps reduce inflammation and support sinus drainage.

Probiotics
Gut health and immune health are deeply connected. Foods like:
• yogurt
• kefir
• fermented vegetables
help regulate immune responses.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Can help thin mucus and support immune function.

🏡 Lifestyle Tips That Make A Big Difference

✔ Run a HEPA air filter, especially in the bedroom
✔ Keep windows closed on high pollen days
✔ Wear sunglasses or a hat outside to keep pollen out of your eyes and hair
✔ Shower after being outside to rinse pollen off skin and hair
✔ Use essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender to support breathing
✔ Eat spicy foods if congested — they naturally help thin mucus

A Friendly Reminder

Even natural remedies can interact with medications or certain health conditions.

Always check with your holistic practitioner or healthcare provider before adding supplements, especially if you take prescription medications.

And if you see me outside enjoying the sunshine with a cup of tea, sunglasses, and a neti pot nearby…

Just know I’m embracing my new 37-year-old seasonal allergy era with grace.

Or at least trying to.

Your body is always communicating with you — sometimes through healing, sometimes through pollen.

Stay well, breathe easy, and take care of those sinuses. 🌿

— Dr. Dee