I’m HERE ON
Purpose
Nurturing
LEGACY. EXPERIENCE. WISDOM.
For years I have considered myself a nurturer. Nurture by definition is “to care for and encourage the growth or development of” according to New Oxford American Dictionary. I’ve always nurtured my friends and family, and for the past 17 years I have nurtured women during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys as well as the women who seek to serve them.
My last name Fletcher, can be broken down as “one who makes arrows”! So you see I am the Nurturing Arrow! My purpose is to nurture women and launch them like arrows to their full purpose and dream. That can be done through the childbearing years or as a birth professional.
You will notice many arrows throughout my website. Those arrows represent each of my Fletcher family members. Each one of my family members represents a package of services available to you through Nurturing Arrows Birth Services.
My driving desire is to make a difference in the outcomes for mothers in our community, especially for Black mothers who are disproportionately harmed by a lack of access to culturally congruent care. This led me down a path from doula to midwife, and eventually to training more doulas to effect positive change for everyone. I often witness the lack of recognition of one’s humanity in our current healthcare system, and I’m here to help change that by bringing humanity back to birth in Arkansas. Join me!
TraININGS & Credentials
Incredibly Experienced with over 850 births attended!
- Co-Founder of the City of Hope Outreach, since 2007
- Certified Birth Doula, since 2010
- Childbirth Educator, since 2011
- Doula Trainer & Mentor, since 2012
- Trained Postpartum Doula, since 2013
- Certified Dancing for Birth Instructor, since 2016
- Certified Lactation Counselor, since 2017
- Certified Health Coach, since 2019
- Founding Member of Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. Visionary, Executive Director, since 2020
- Apprentice Midwife, since 2020
- Winner of the Birth Pro Awards LEM & June Co. 2020
- Regenerative Health Coach, since 2021
- Co-founder and Chairwoman of Doula Alliance of Arkansas 2024
- Has Trained Over 200 Women as Doulas
- Completed Spinning Babies Workshops
- Award recipient of the UAMS
FROM THE BEGINNING, holding the BELIEF THAT A MIDWIVE’S REBEL SPIRIT IS WHAT will FOSTER POSITIVE CHANGE.
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.” EXODUS 1:17
THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND NUTURING ARROWS
The mission is to improve birth for ALL women through information, nutrition, support, empowerment, and community! I would be failing you if I did not mention that women of Color, specifically Black women, are experiencing maternal healthcare disparities all over the US. Women just like me, and our babies are dying at rates 3-4 times higher than the national average. In places like New York City it jumps to approximately 12 times higher than the national average. I know, you are thinking “Nicolle why such heavy talk on your website?”
Because silence and complacency is one of the reasons we have gotten to this place. Maternal Healthcare in the United States as a whole continues to decline even though we are a first world country with all the modern conveniences and technology.
Maybe it is time we go back to get better. We have to be the solution to healing and helping ourselves. While I am clear that one individual living in Conway, Arkansas will not improve this issue alone, I know my participation is essential. I have three specific focuses to do my part.
Increase Knowledge, Increase Black Birth Workers, and Build an Empowering Supportive Community that will no longer remain silent and complacent around birth injustice for any woman.
Hear
MY INCREDIBLE Birth Stories
Dr. Phillip D. Fletcher
Dr. Phillip D. Fletcher is my husband! We have known one another since college 1994. Yes, I was in college when you were born! We first met at the University of California, Riverside just past the bell tower while we were both in undergrad. We had a very interesting dating relationship which helps me understand why people put “complicated” as a relationship status on social media. Phil is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., because of that we have referred to our relationship as “The Golden Love Affair”. Do you get it? Ask me about it if you don’t. We figured it out and married in December 1997! From our union came three amazing unique souls Nicollus, Najee and Nichelle.
He is the founder and executive director of The City of Hope Outreach (CoHO), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit in Conway, Arkansas. The mission of CoHO is to provoke hope in individuals, families, and communities for the glory of God. Through initiatives such as CoHO Academy, Hope Home, Hope Village, CoHO Ten-Jobs, and Replicate; CoHO has sought to be a catalyst in promoting the philosophy that people should primarily care for people freely with grace for God’s glory.
He seeks to address issues of leadership, the local church and social engagement through the lens of the Gospel. He is the author of the book, The Excellence of God: Essays on Theology and Doxology published by Crossbooks and Created in Freedom: Poverty and Economics published by IngramSpark. In 2013, he launched, “Humanity Matters” , to create a forum to stimulate honest discussions on what it means to be human in a difficult world. In 2015 Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed him to the 20th Judicial District Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee. In 2016 he hosted the AETN-PBS television program; A Deeper Look: The Poverty Divide in Arkansas. In 2017, Mayor Bart Castleberry appointed him to the City of Conway Homeless Task Force. In 2019, he assisted in the launched the UCA-CoHO Poverty Studies Group which conducts research and experiential learning concerning poverty in the state of Arkansas.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Phillip Fletcher received his Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Riverside, his Master of Arts in Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University, and doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Regent University.
Because Phil is the original Fletcher we refer to him as “The Arrow Maker”!
Phillip Nicollus Fletcher aka Nick
On November 21, 1998 in Moreno Valley, California our life was forever changed by the birth of our first child Phillip Nicollus Fletcher aka Nick. Phillip (my husband) and I had only been married 3 short months before I became pregnant. That was a surprise to us for sure. So much so that I was hesitant to announce our pregnancy because then everyone would know we had sex! I was 21 years old when we married. We did not have a clue about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding or being actual parents. We thought taking a childbirth class would be beneficial. We found one not offered by the hospital but it was so strange we dropped the class before completing it. Funny, now that I teach childbirth classes I am always reminded of how strange some of the birthing concepts are to the average American.
When I was expecting there were two women who received an epidural while giving birth and as a result became permanently paralyzed after their births. Well, that was all you had to say to me. I opted for unmedicated labor 100%! I figured there was no amount of pain from labor worth the possibility of being paralyzed.
I waited and waited for labor to begin on its own but my doctor told me my amniotic fluid was low and I had to be induced immediately this was ten days post my estimated due date. I was sent straight to L&D after my appointment to be induced with pitocin. I labored hard without additional pain medication because I wanted to walk during and of course after I gave birth. There were several funny moments during my labor, specifically the interact between my husband and I. He was trying his best to support me but what I needed the most was for him to release my hand with the IV and stop touching my sweaty face with hands. YUCK! Thankfully my mother was able to intervene and explain to him what I was unable to.
I look back at the birth of my son with such pride and joy. I do not remember the pain, honestly I only remember the reward of having a son and the pride of accomplishing the birth goal unmedicated.
The most difficult part of this birth was after! I was told I would not be able to leave the hospital until they measured how much food my son took in which meant they were forcing me to allow them to give him formula or they would not let us leave. My plans were to breastfeed. After being forced to do what the hospital staff wanted I planned to work on breastfeeding at home. Once I got home it was a bloody scream festival because he had grown accustomed to the bottle while in the hospital. Insert another mission…breastfeeding sabotage in the hospital must END! I opted to let my breastmilk dry up because he would not take it an instead preferred the bottle. That was a sad moment for sure. We survived but it was not the option I would have ever chosen for myself or our son.
Najee' Nicolle Fletcher aka Naj
On November 16, 2000 in Little Rock, AR UAMS hospital we welcomed our second child Najee’ Nicolle Fletcher aka Naj. At this time my husband was in bootcamp and unable to be present at her birth. She was born on his basic training graduation day. The pregnancy for Najee’ was very much planning. My husband and I both said we could not be the sole entertainment for Nick so we got to work, wink wink! It wasn’t long at all before I was pregnant. Phil and I were both working at a group home as house parents in Temecula, CA. Our family needed to make a transition so Phillip enlisted in the US Army. While he was away at boot camp I with our son opted to move to Conway, AR where my parents were living for the birth. That is how I delivered at UAMS, I’m sure it was an insurance thing.
I can remember her birth like it was yesterday. I was determined to go to my husbands graduation in Fort Sill Oklahoma but non of my family members supported that decision. I prayed and prayed then finally the Lord made it clear that I was to stay at home. Good thing I did as she was born during the graduation ceremony. Wouldn’t that have been a story? All I remember was having contractions and thinking, “is this all?” If you recall my last birth I was induced with pitocin so these contractions were easy in comparison. I moved as my body deemed best. I was not directed for forced to do anything and it was beautiful. I labored most of the day and night that way. I took a shower, I walked the halls and then after midnight I finally told my mother to take me to the hospital. I arrived and after about 2 hours I gave birth to our first daughter. She immediately breastfed and it was perfect!
Nichelle Sherrie Fletcher AKA Belle
On January 9, 2002 in Fort Knox, Ky we brought it all home with the birth of this surprise baby girl. I got pregnant with her immediately once my husband returned home from boot camp, making our girls 13 months apart yeah, I KNOW! This was by far the easiest birth of my personal experience.
The plan for Nichelle’s birth was for my sister in law Nicole (an RN) to attend alongside my husband. Well, those were our plans at least. It was late in the evening when I began to experience what I knew to be labor contractions. I allowed my husband and the other two children to sleep while I rested, walked the halls, up and down the stairs and rested on the toilet seat (a great place to labor by the way, you can keep things clean by simply flushing, it naturally relaxes the pelvic floor and opens the hips). After a few hours of that I woke my husband requesting to go to the hospital, but I was not 100% sure this was it so we did not call my sister in law to avoid a false alarm.
Upon arrival at the hospital I was no longer able to walk so my husband put me in a wheelchair and took me to labor and delivery. The L&D nurse looked at me and asked, “What can we do for you tonight?” I replied, “I am in labor.” I believe because I was very calm and spoke clearly they did not believe that I was indeed in labor. Unfortunately, she was unable to keep those thoughts to herself and said to me, “You don’t look like you are in labor!” Again, I told her I was. They sent me to triage to wait. Nichelle was also ten days past her estimated due date. She was ready and she came quickly! While laying on the bed in triage I told my husband I felt the baby coming. He did not even respond with the urgency of what I was feeling required. I screamed, “The BABY IS COMING!” Then the nurses all rushed in and I delivered our Chelle Belle in triage after being in the hospital only 10 mins. I still remember my husband calling his mother and my sister in law saying she is here. They were shocked. We had a plan but Nichelle had another. My triage birth! She also nursed immediately and did so for 13 months.
Co-Founder, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, & VISIONARY OF
THE UJIMA MATERNITY NETWORK
UJIMA (00-JEE-mah) is one of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa which means; “Collective work and responsibility” – To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and solve them together.
Ujima Maternity Network, Inc was called to create a community of birth workers of color for the maternal woman of color. We seek to foster a space where women feel heard, valued, understood and empowered when it comes to the most vulnerable time in their life.
Ujima Maternity Network aims to become the go to space for women of color providing them with a full service maternity experience. We seek to decrease the gross amount of maternal deaths in women of color in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas currently, ranks number 1 in Maternal Mortality. We strive to heal communities, starting with the most disparaged maternal population – the Black mother and child. We can make a change!
We have been in civil unrest due to the murder of innocent Black bodies. Since then our nation has become more aware of this health crisis and have sought ways to support communities of color to bring about change. For Black mothers, this crisis actually begins in the womb.
Ujima Maternity Network is Arkansas’ first and only all Black (BIPOC) network of birth workers and advocates. We launched this vision on December 28, 2018 and have been working diligently to build a solid resource and base for communities of color. There is a lack of representation in the birth worker field, lactation support/education, as well as access to equitable care. Currently, there are NO Black CPM midwives in the entire state of Arkansas. Ujima Maternity Network is dedicated to answering the call for the lack of representation so that we may solve our own problems.
We appreciate the individuals and groups from all walks of life who have contributed to our mission.
In response to the heightened awareness of Black Maternal & Infant Mortality and the outcry of support we have established this fundraiser to allow community participation.
We are raising funds to increase the representation of lactation professionals, birth and postpartum doulas, Black midwives, community education, and access to these resources. Ujima Maternity Network will be offering scholarships to women of color seeking certification in lactation, doula care and midwifery. Scholarships will also be available for women of color in the community seeking these services.
Signed in Unity,
Nicolle Fletcher
I see you SEEKING SOMEONE WHO TRULY CARES
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501.499.1043
nurturingarrows@gmail.com
2104 Harkrider Street, Suite 103
Conway, Arkansas 72032