You’re in control! We’re here to help you achieve your
desired birth goals.
Meet Your Future
Birth Team!
Two Friends, One Bad Latch & Limited Resources started our journey in 2014 with the birth of Aubrey, Ashaki’s first baby!
We are the Co-Owners, Ashaki Tobias and Kiara Carnes. We created Maternal Love to improve the health outcomes of families and infants in Louisiana. The life created inside the womb to the journey of labor and birth is sacred. Each family will have a unique story, we are here to support you and remind our community that birth is a normal and natural life event. The experiences of everyone involved can have a long term effect on the development and wellbeing of newborns. Nationally, the outcomes of mothers and babies are failing, but our journey starts with Louisiana. The birth stories shared in our generation and the past are disheartening, we want to help create positive birth stories.
We are committed to providing education & services to all families in need. However, we want to improve birth outcomes for low income moms, teens and those who face disparities. These moms are at a higher risk for death or complications during pregnancy and labor. Our mission is to empower and educate women & their families on their journey to parenthood, through evidence based research and holistic care. We want to assist and help you get in touch with your innate ability to have the birth you desire while preparing you with the tools to advocate for you and your family.
Ashaki Tobias, BA, HBA, CBS
Hello Beautiful People! My name is Ashaki Tobias, I am a mother of 2, Childbirth Educator, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Certified Doula, and Healthy Birth Ambassador with Sista Midwife Productions in Louisiana for Region 2. My fascination with mothers and babies started when I was only 16 years old. I wrote an article to advocate and interview my peers who were expecting babies in high school. I would watch documentaries, reality shows and read books about motherhood/pregnancy. My personal journey to motherhood started with my baby girl in 2014. Becoming pregnant during my senior year of college changed my life, but my love for mothers and babies grew. After experiencing a bad latch and limited funds, Kiara and I worked together to get the perfect latch and heal my cracked nipples. My breastfeeding journey started off rocky, but I was determined to breastfeed and I did it best with support.
I continued to advocate in my community by spreading positivity surrounding breastfeeding, childbirth education and body autonomy.
The same year I became a first time mom in 2014, I also graduated from Southern University A&M College and started my corporate career in Management between 2015 through 2019. In 2018, I gave birth to my baby boy. I had the support system to experience an un-medicated birth with Baby #2. Having full support during my pregnancy and postpartum period confirmed my true calling to help other families bring their babies into this world.
In 2019, I became a Childbirth Educator and decided to leave my corporate career in management to follow my true passion. I wanted to care for my family while also helping other mothers get in touch with their innate ability to give birth and breastfeed. Maternal Love has been our main focus, since our launch in 2019, we have expanded our services through continuous education and community led training!
Founder/Co-Owner
Lamaze Trained Childbirth Educator, Certified Full Spectrum Doula, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Healthy Birth Ambassador (Region 2)
Trainings/Certifications:
Lamaze Childbirth Seminar (2019)
DONA Doula Training (2021)
Grandmas Hands Pregnancy & Postpartum Herbs and Nutrition in The Southern Tradition (2021)
Sista Midwife Birth Sista Doula Training (2021)
Community Birth Companion Contract Doula (2022-2023)
Healthy Birth Ambassador - Region 2 (2022-present)
Lamaze Childbirth Seminar - Renewal (2022)
Kiara Carnes, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Co-Owner
Registered Nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Hello! My name is Kiara and I am a Registered Nurse (RN) and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I am a graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. Over the past 8 years as an RN, I have worked on a Mother/Baby Unit, caring for moms and babies in the immediate postpartum period and in the NICU, caring for premature and sick infants. I currently help moms and babies breastfeed as a hospital lactation nurse.
My journey to becoming a lactation consultant started in 2019 when I noticed that there was a need for more lactation consultants, especially ones of color. I learned that the breastfeeding rates among black and brown women are significantly lower than other races and I wanted to help bridge that gap. My sister and best friend/business partner, Ashaki, both had babies around the same time in 2014 and 2018. Ashaki exclusively breastfed and my sister exclusively pumped. Both had feeding/pumping issues and didn’t know where to turn for help. In 2014, I was working with adult patients with heart issues so I did not have any experience with breastfeeding yet. I felt helpless! Fast forward to 2018, I had been working on Mother/Baby for a few years so when they both had issues the second go around, I was able to easily help. That experience and realizing that a lot of moms don’t have support when they leave the hospital, made me want to do more. It is so important to have a support system and resources in the community.
Educating parents and empowering them to make the best decision for their family is my passion. Whether it’s exclusively breastfeeding, pumping or a combination, I’m here to support you and your goals!
Trainings/Certifications:
Registered Nurse (2013)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (2021)
Two Friends Who Share A Passion For Birthwork & Families in Louisiana
