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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewel Rollins
Jewel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At Jewels2Health, we’re committed to supporting families with Full Spectrum Doula services, including birth, postpartum, and bereavement care. Our services focus on the well-being of mothers, babies, and families by promoting positive births, successful breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices.
When I knew I was staying in Toledo for longer than I planned , I asked God to give me something to be here is for and this is it.
There are two main reasons I was inspired to pursue doula support services. The first reason stems from a deeply personal experience in 2020, eight months before I gave birth to my son. My best friend endured a near-death experience during her pregnancy. She went to the hospital for a headache and was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, with dangerously high blood pressure nearing stroke levels. This led to an emergency C-section, and her baby was born prematurely at just 28 weeks. Thankfully, both she and her baby survived, and she was able to breastfeed while her baby was in the NICU and after bringing him home—a crucial factor in his development. However, she didn’t have a doula, and I truly believe that having one could have provided the knowledge and support to help prevent or better navigate such a traumatic experience.
The second reason is rooted in my own journey. When I became pregnant four years ago, I thought my background in exercise science and nutrition had prepared me for the process. However, I quickly realized I was in uncharted territory. Two days past my due date, I faced an incredibly emotional situation—my grandmother passed away in another state just four days earlier. My entire family, including my mother, needed to travel to New York for the funeral. I was forced to make a difficult decision: to get induced early so my family could be present for the birth or to risk delivering in another state.
In hindsight, I wish I’d had a doula to advise me. A doula could have reassured me that, without medical necessity, it’s often safer for babies to remain in the womb until they are ready. Ultimately, I chose induction so my mother could be present, but my family had to leave for New York the day after my son was born. As a first-time mom, I had no idea what to expect.
I was committed to breastfeeding, but ended up back in the hospital when my son lost nearly 3 pounds after birth. It turned out that he had a tongue tie, which made latching difficult. While this didn’t prevent him from breastfeeding, it did make the process more challenging. No one told me it was possible to still breastfeed successfully with a tongue tie or to simply try a different bottle nipple to help him feed better.
At the same time, I was navigating postpartum anxiety—a condition I hadn’t even known existed. While I’d been diagnosed with anxiety before, I had only heard about postpartum depression. Balancing grief over losing my grandmother with the overwhelming demands of new motherhood made those early days incredibly hard. Thankfully, I was able to get my son’s weight back up and successfully breastfed for 10 months.
Looking back, I realize how invaluable a doula would have been in those moments. A birth doula could have educated me about the risks and benefits of induction, a postpartum doula could have supported me through breastfeeding challenges, and a bereavement doula could have helped me navigate my grief while celebrating my son’s new life.
By the grace of God, both my son and my godson—who will soon turn four and five years old—are thriving. They are best friends today, and their journeys inspire me to continue advocating for the support, education, and resources families need during such pivotal moments in life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since our establishment, we have worked with community members on their wellness journeys, and we’ve supported over 10 birthing mothers and their families through their birthing journeys, helping them reach the milestone of their babies’ first birthdays.
We’ve also partnered with local organizations this year to provide education on baby-wearing to promote breastfeeding, as well as nutrition education to show how the foods mothers eat can increase breastmilk supply. Our Milkshakes & Cookies Awareness Brunch held in December of 2024 was the final event of last year’s initiatives to complete our outreach to our community.
In addition to our work with birthing families, Jewels2Health provides wellness planning, meal prep, alternatives to healthier products and fitness programs to reduce stress and improve overall health—not just for the birthing community but for everyone in our broader community.
With addressing Stigmas in the Black Community, historically, breastfeeding rates have been lower in the Black community due to cultural stigmas, systemic barriers, and a lack of representation in breastfeeding education and advocacy. Many Black families face lingering misconceptions, such as the idea that formula is a better or more modern choice, stemming from historical practices where wet-nursing was forced upon enslaved Black women. Additionally, societal pressures, returning to work sooner, and limited access to lactation support contribute to these disparities.
By creating safe spaces for open conversations, like the brunch we hosted, and normalizing breastfeeding within our community, we can begin to break down these barriers and empower Black mothers to make informed choices for their babies and themselves.
Why breastfeeding and safe sleep matter:
Infant loss remains a devastating reality in many communities. In the United States, approximately 22,000 infants die each year, with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and unsafe sleep practices being leading causes of these deaths. Here in Lucas County, the infant mortality rate is significantly higher than the national average, especially among Black families.
Safe sleep practices—such as placing babies on their backs to sleep, avoiding soft bedding, and using a firm mattress—can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. Additionally, breastfeeding plays a critical role in lowering infant mortality. Studies show that:
• Breastfed babies have a 36% lower risk of SIDS compared to formula-fed babies.
• Breastfeeding strengthens a baby’s immune system, reducing the risk of life-threatening infections.
By promoting both breastfeeding and safe sleep, we can help families reduce the risk of preventable infant deaths and create healthier outcomes for babies and their parents.
Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits beyond nutrition. Breastmilk helps reduce the risk of infections, allergies, and chronic diseases in babies, while also lowering the mother’s risk of postpartum depression, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Breastmilk can even be used in other ways—such as treating diaper rashes, soothing skin irritations, and bonding with other family members through expressed milk.
Our focus at our event was not only on breastfeeding but also on creating a safe space for open conversations about how we can improve maternal and infant health outcomes together. This included discussing topics like baby-wearing, how nutrition impacted breastmilk supply, and how we could support each other in navigating cultural and systemic challenges.
These steps help create a healthier environment for both mothers and babies, reducing the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight.
We’ve been impressed with Jewels2Health, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner of Jewels2Health. I have a background in Exercise Science and hold certifications in Nutrition, Pre/Postnatal Fitness, Fitness Yoga, and Full Spectrum Doula Support Services. Our primary service is centered around providing a Full Spectrum Doula Support Services, which include: Birth, Postpartum, Bereavement, Educational resources for childbirth, safe sleep & breastfeeding as well as CPR Education. Additionally, we also focus on wellness planning, which includes: Sonrai’s Fast Fruit, Nutrition Coaching / Meal Planning / Wellness and preconception health and wellness planning, and access to Amway (health & well being) products. Finally, we also offer Fitness Coaching, which includes: Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness (in person or virtual, individual or with family,) Fitness Yoga and access to Hip Hop Step Instructor classes. I believe what sets us apart is the commitment to support our Toledo community however we can, including the Brunch that we were able to host, feed those who came, educate those who were wanting to learn, and give away great prizes to those who stayed. Additionally, our breadth of service offering is wide that goes from A-Z, starting at pre-conception planning, through full pregnancy support, and then working to build a sustainable lifestyle through nutrition, fitness, and wellness planning. We are young, we are driven, and we’re not going anywhere Toledo.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
For addressing disparities in maternal and infant health specifically:
Disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes remain a significant challenge. Nationally, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, education, sexuality , than White women, with cardiovascular conditions being a leading cause. Between 2017 and 2019, maternal mortality data revealed:
• 51% of cardiomyopathy deaths occurred among non-Hispanic Black individuals.
• 66% of cardiovascular-related deaths happened in women under 35.
• Over 75% of these deaths were preventable.
These disparities extend to infant health, with Black infants experiencing twice the mortality rate of White infants. Historical and systemic barriers, including limited access to resources, cultural stigmas, and a lack of representation in healthcare, have contributed to these outcomes.
How we can create change
At our Milkshakes and Cookies: Breastfeeding Awareness Brunch, we came together not just to share a meal but to empower one another with knowledge, resources, and support. Breastfeeding is a powerful tool to improve maternal and infant health, and it also fosters bonding, reduces maternal stress, and promotes overall well-being. By integrating practices like baby-wearing, prioritizing maternal nutrition, and sharing tips for safe sleep, we can make a lasting impact on the health of our families and communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jewels2health.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewels2health/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Jewels2Health