A Home Birth in Chicago in the 1970s

2/5/2018 Comments

A Home Birth in Chicago in the 1970s

#BirthHERstory - I am so excited to share this video of Mama Roberta Ingram. As I listened to her share about her own self-discovery and how she and the sisters she surrounded herself with reconnected to our birth traditions, I am inspired to believe that it is possible for Black women to do that again in their own circles. I am convinced that the ability to heal ourselves and our families is within our power, as it always has been. I believe this is especially true because we have so many resources available through technology and are able to communicate with one another as never before.

Mama Roberta did not continue in birth work, however, she gave a bit of advice at the end to those that may be considering birth work. It reminded me of a comment I made recently on a Facebook post:
"All I can think about are our ancestral mothers... They have so much expectation for us. They want to us to restore. They want us to 're-member' who we are and walk confidently. They want us to manifest our gifts and talents in ways they could not. Through our success in our passions, callings and chosen career paths in birth, we vindicate them and bestow upon them the honor they were denied. Let’s be bold as we move forward in this work."

Mama Roberta represents the type of women I hope will rise up to reclaim the birth rites of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers.

Do you have a birth tradition or story you would like to share from an elder?
#BirthHERstory on DrDoula.com

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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