African American Birth HERstory Traditions

10/28/2019 Comments

Re-Normalizing Homebirth in a Fear-Based Society with the Homebirth Queen

"Find other women who have given birth [at home]. Women around the world have been doing it for years... giving birth without a hospital. They’re doing it right now. You have to do what’s best for you. If you want to do a home birth, prepare and educate yourself." ~ Talise "Homebirth Queen" Xavier

I recently heard media mogul Byron Allen say this: "You can't live in fear because fear is another form of slavery..." I have mentioned before that Black women have been inundated with messages about their increasing maternal and infant mortality rates. When that message is not presented in an empowered manner it becomes counterproductive and produces FEAR in the hearts of Black women about their ability to birth their babies. It is not uncommon for Black women to desire a doula because they fear that without one they will die.

I have always appreciated speaking to women who recognized the sacredness of birth, no matter where they birthed. Still, because of my southern roots and being of the first generation born in a hospital, I recognize that those who chose to birth at home must have certain conviction about the ability of healthy bodies to birth without medical intervention. Talise has that conviction.

Talise Homebirth Queen Xavier uses her five homebirth experiences to help renormalize birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum practices. We had some technical difficulties before we were able to talk about breastfeeding and postpartum, but I believe our conversation will be encouragement to those contemplating homebirth. We also talked about the personal responsibility that every person needs to take for their birthing choices, whether birthing in the hospital, a birthing center or at home.

Topics Discussed:

Making the decision to birth at home
Managing the “risks” surrounding birth
Making a birth plan to manage risks
Unpredictable and predictable reasons for being in the hospital
PTSD of hospital experiences vs hospital births
The business of birth in hospitals
“White Coat Syndrome” in hospital births
Trusting yourself in birth
Indoctrination of birth in society
Using hypnobirthing to manage childbirth
The importance of babies’ introduction to the world
“Spoiling” new babies
Birthing twins at home
Birthing in a safe place
Doing what's best for you

Note: For those who watch the video, you will notice that Talise lost video reception toward the end of the conversation. Eventually, we were disconnected, but the audio works well throughout our conversation. Enjoy!

Listen to the Podcast:

Here are some ways you can get in touch with the Homebirth Queen:

Email: talisemotherofsix@gmail.com
Phone: (913) 251-5386
Facebook: Talise Homebirth Queen
Instagram: Talise Homebirth Queen
Twitter: Talise Xavier
LinkedIn: Talise Xavier

Purchase your copy of Home is Where the Birth Is!:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Birth-Stories-Homebirth/dp/1733681124

Comments

What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW!

The voices of Black women have long been censored and/or edited. These conversations with Dr. Doula are an opportunity for Black women to share their truths and experiences in birth and birth culture in their own voices.

In other words, "She said what she said..."

When we help Birth HERstories we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world! When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve Black Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women.

Dr. Doula

My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)

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Re-Normalizing Homebirth in a Fear-Based Society with the Homebirth Queen

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