It's Black Maternal/Perinatal Health Week and today I am sharing some tips and suggestions to help Black mothers and families thrive during pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester.

We all know the gut-wrenching stats and realities regarding Black women and health disparities rooted in racism, ignorance and outdated healthcare methods & models. Despite the health industrial complex's somewhat acknowledgment of this in recent years, not much has changed for Black mothers or their families. In fact, the rates of Black maternal mortality have increased since the pandemic began. And while there are so many reasons why this matter in itself is an unnecessary yet ongoing plight, Black women still have a long way to go when it comes birth & health equity.

So what can you do to make sure you are protected and have the birth experience you desire? Below are some suggested things you can do to better prepare for pregnancy & birth.
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1. Start Preparing Early-Whether you are planning to get pregnant or it's a surprise, it's never too early to start preparing for baby. Nutrition is the first place to start. A healthy body usually means a healthy baby. Eating a healthy and balanced diet with vitamin enriched foods will be good for your womb and growing baby. I highly recommend preconception support from a doula or your OB/midwife if you are planning to get pregnant in the next six months. Prenatal vitamins are also a great addition for overall health. You can take them before and after pregnancy too. Food for thought: what will your life look and feel like with a new baby?
2. Proper Prenatal Care-Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you will want to seek a proper prenatal care. A highly rated obstetrician or midwifery practice will be your best options. You will be seen by your chosen provider periodically throughout pregnancy. Please be sure to choose a provider who is knowledgeable, listens to you, answers your questions and has a good bedside manner. If you find you aren't receiving quality care, don't hesitate to change providers at ANY time during pregnancy. There is no such thing as "too late" when it comes to receiving or deserving good health care.
3. Build Your Birth Team-Aside from good prenatal care, you will want to take take it a step further by building a birth team. A birth team is a group of support people who will be there for you in some capacity during pregnancy and birth. This includes your partner, other family, friends, your OB, midwife and of course your friendly neighborhood doula! Even seeing a chiropractor, lactation consultant and pelvic floor therapist in the fourth trimester have proven benefits for mom and baby during postpartum recovery. Having a strong birth team who are all in support of you and your birth plan is an added level of comfort I can't explain.
4. Make Room (Physically, Emotionally and Mentally): As you and your body transform and prepare for a new phase of your life, you will need to truly embrace the transition. It will be beneficial to let go of the things that no longer serve you. Schedules, activities and daily life as you know it will change so don't fight it. Identify your helpers and don't take any relationship changes personal. Your people will show up for you-no one else matters. Clear the clutter of your mind and release any negative thoughts or doubt. Everything you feel and carry, your baby will feel and carry.
5. Do You-Every pregnancy and birth is different and it is important to celebrate yourself throughout your journey. Ignore unsolicited advice and plan your birth the way you want. Every decision (from your pregnancy announcement to your birth plan) ultimately comes down to you and your partner.
6. More to Monitor: As a Black woman, there are additional things that we need to monitor while pregnant and also during the postpartum period. Your blood pressure being one main thing. Elevated blood pressure can indicate a greater issue like preeclampsia. Again, nutrition is very important as baby takes all of your nutrients (including the reserves you have stored up). Dental check ups can be beneficial as calcium can be depleted during pregnancy. Ask for help when you need it-the "strong black woman" complex is over and done. Whole self care (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) is essential to being a good parent.

Remember, when it comes to your body, your baby and your health, YOU are in control. Preparation and the right support can make all the difference.

June 5, 2020

This has been on my heart for months now. And with everything happening over the last couple of weeks, I need to get this off my chest.

I first new my endo was real....

Almost three years ago, I woke up in pain and stayed in bed all day. I could barely move. Months earlier I had been diagnosed with IBS, but I knew this was something else. I was experiencing another flare and none of the 8 medications I was taking relieved my pain. The sun was going down and I had been trying to get out of bed all day, at least for a little bit, to go grocery shopping. But I just couldnt. So I narrowed down the list and I only needed one thing: milk for my son. I eventually broke down and asked my husband to run to the store. He happily obliged, asked if I needed anything and he took our son with him to Target since none of us had been out that day.

I stayed home with my mom (who had moved in with is just a couple of months prior due to her failing health) and tried to breath through the pain. I managed to doze off for a few minutes and then I heard my phone ring. (Note: for our whole relationship I have consistently missed my husband's calls because when I'm at home, I put my phone on silent. But I had recently started turning my phone volume up whenever he left the house because he always calls for one reason or another).

When I answered the phone I heard my husband's voice and I immediately knew something was wrong. He told me he had been pulled over for no reason. He told me that the officer had a warrant for his arrest. He had me on speaker so I could hear. Him and the officer had an exchange when my husband asked why he had been pulled over and what the warrant was for. Then my husband and I got disconnected. (He apparently called 911 right after this so he could have a record of what was happening). I immediately jumped on my feet, grabbed some clothes, called my neighbor and asked her to take me to my husband and son.

By the time we got in the car, my husband had called back and told me he was about to be arrested. I could hear my son crying in the background. My adrenaline was pumping through me as I was now in a panic. That 9 minute car ride was the longest car ride of my life. I stayed on the phone. I put him on speaker phone so I could hear everything.

When we arrived my husband was in the back of a police SUV. A second officer had arrived at some point and was standing next to our family car just watching my son cry his eyes out. I ran over to the SUV and saw the pain in my husband's eyes. He said he was okay and told me to go get our son and told me not to cry. I walked over to our car and proceeded to calm our son down. My mother stayed with him while I spoke to one of the police officers about what was going to happen next. My heart was pounding but I spoke calmly and nodded my head before getting into my car and following the police officers to the jail.

My neighbor took my mother and son home and I proceeded down the dark highway with tears streaming down face. It seemed like a long drive. The next thing I remember is walking through the huge doors of the building and approaching the metal detector. I was then directed to go down the stairs and wait to speak to the magistrate. I had no idea who that was or what that meant. But as a young black woman who was waiting to bail her black husband our of jail, there was a sense that I did know and was even familiar with the entire process due to the color of my skin. I was not. I was scared. No, terrified. I was cold, hungry and tired. And now, I was alone. Waiting. Not knowing what was happening to my husband. Two hours pasted. I finally saw the magistrate. She spoke fast and again, she spoke to me as if I had been through this process before. I didn't even know where to begin to find a bail bondsman. I called a family friend (an older white woman) and without hesitation, she came to sit with me for a while. She waited at the jail just in case there were any updates about my husband while I went to the atm to get bail money. Money we had just put in our savings account. Money we needed. Money I was thankful to have at a time like this.

When I returned, I was told that my husband was being released soon. I waited another 40 minutes before I saw him slowly walk over to me. There was something in his eyes... He was defeated. He was angry. He was sad. I noticed that he was carrying his shoe strings. We hugged for a long time. I don't remember the ride home. It was after 2 am when we finally got home. He had bruises from the handcuffs. They served as reminders days after the whole ordeal. He made a video of his experience and his feelings about being wrongfully arrested before we went to bed. I barely slept. My body had just experienced a full on traumatic experience while I was in the middle of an endo flare. There are no words to express what my body and brain endured that day and the months following. This was the day I knew my endo was real.