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Birth HERstory Blog

It's a BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE!

8/24/2019 Comments

Bringing THUNDER to International Birth Culture When CHOCOLATE Alone Just Won't Do

"[I want to] bring the wisdom of the grandmothers [abuelas] into modern birth... It's not about being 'the leader'. For me, it's about legacy, not fame. I want to see people rise... The legacy is far more important to me than the fame. And I meet so many people where the fame is more important than the legacy. " ~ Mars Lord 

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There has been a recent push for more Black doulas since the challenges of Black women in childbirth have become more publicized. For UK doula, birth educator and advocate, Mars Lord, the current situation necessitates more than a representation of Black women working in birth culture, it requires knowledge of birth based on our historical contexts. It requires our voices to be raised against microaggressions that have the potential to derail important conversations and thwart our efforts toward progress for Black women. Mars would say that it is time to let go of the sweetness and instead realize that we are in a war to save our lives. While there are many differences based on our locations within western culture, ultimately, Black women are fighting the same fight in the U.S. and the UK. ​
I have admired Mars Lord and followed her work for a while, and was excited about the opportunity to speak to her face-to-face. I always feel extremely blessed when I meet someone and I notice a  natural connection and a kindred spirit, especially when I find these connections with African women internationally. Our conversation was full of laughter from the very beginning. My conversation with Mars confirmed my belief that if Black women are to help ourselves to heal ourselves and save ourselves, we must extend our hands to reach out to other women of African descent, both on the continent and throughout the African Diaspora. We must all connect and unify our strengths to overcome our limitations. It was my pleasure to hear her thoughts and to be able to share them with you.
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Topics discussed:
  • From Mars Chocolate to Mars Goddess of War
  • The urgency of birth work among Black women
  • The birth of a Birth Keeper and a Birth Activist
  • Becoming the go-to person in your family and community for birth
  • Recognizing the universal challenges of a medical system not created to serve you
  • The international increasing maternal mortality rates among Black women
  • The importance of "acknowledging the differences" in birth
  • DOULA ---> SLAVE in the Greek
  • U.S. influences in the UK
  • Why saving Black women means more than training Black doulas
  • How western culture predisposes Black women to birth challenges
  • Why focusing on Black women is vital to survival
  • Helping others sit with their discomfort about Black women's birth challenges 
  • Owning your anger as Black women
  • Being "African" in the Diaspora
  • The appropriateness of "exclusive spaces" for Black women in birth culture
  • The National Health Service in the UK and how it affects birthing mothers
  • Encouraging white women to seek out and embrace the remnants of the indigenous culture in their histories
  • Cultural Competency vs Cultural Safety
Mars expresses this gratitude:

"I'm grateful to Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall, whose knowledge of birth and the postnatal period is immense. She encourages me to continually learn more. Maisie Hill who has always pushed me to do a little bit more. Jennie Joseph and her hard work and tenacity that encourages me to continue in my birth activism. The friendship of these three women is incredible. And I cannot forget Lorna Phillip and Thando Zwane, my sistas who make me laugh whilst encouraging me and who continually believe in the work that I do. "
Listen to the Podcast:
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Here are some ways you can connect to the work Mars is doing:

Phone: +44 07767348462
Email: abueladoula@gmail.com
Website: ​https://MarsLord.co.uk/
Training Website: ​https://AbuelaDoulas.com/
FB Page: Doula Mars Lord
​
Training FB Page: Abuela Doula
LinkedIn: ​Mars Lord
​
Instagram: @AbuelaDoula
​
Twitter:Abuela Doulas
Comments

7/10/2019 Comments

From Being the Only Black Woman in the Room to Breaking Down Walls in Birth for Black Women

"The knowledge... it's in you. It really is. Do what God has called you to do and do it with excellence... Period. Unburden yourself from the burden of expectation of other people, and whatever box that people have put you in, break the walls down and LIVE!" ~ Nicolle Fletcher

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I always tell Nicolle that she is the kind of spirit that I would appreciate learning from. She is one of those sisters that I JUST LOVE! She has such beautiful energy and I have admired Nicolle Fletcher for the birthwork she has been doing in Arkansas for years.

Nicolle Fletcher is a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Dancing for Birth™ Instructor, and a Certified Health Coach. I have watched as she used each of her areas of expertise to improve the birth experiences of women and families. I also noticed when Nicole began to shift her focus toward Black women and began to look for ways to enhance the experiences women of African descent have in birth culture, both those serving mothers and those who are expectant mothers. During our conversation, we discussed what that transition was like for her and how she has adjusted her work toward that end.
Nicolle's shared words of gratitude that were a blessing to me because I was included as a person she shows gratitude toward. Here is what she shared:
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"I am most thankful for women like you Dr. Doula! I have attended multiple birth & postpartum doula workshops from DONA trainers, Spinning Babies Workshops, local agencies, experiential networking and a business consultation with Randy Patterson of ProDoula, however my purpose was fully realized after meeting you. You have inspired me to to remember and reclaim birth for Black women and birth workers."
Topics discussed:
  • Making the decision to birth unmedicated​
  • Becoming acquainted with birth
  • Using formal education in doula work
  • The benefits of mentorship
  • From doula trainings to the birth environment
  • Being the "only Black doula..."
  • Learning about the birth disparities with Black women
  • Being seen as divisive when speaking out
  • Making the shift to focus on Black women
  • Seeing community in the birth space
  • Navigating the "community in the birthing room"
  • Preparing birthing mom's support people for labor
  • Preparing your children for birth through their birth stories
  • Allowing healing to begin for the next generation
  • Supporting teenage mothers
  • Nurturing Arrows - launching women to their destination through birth mentoring 
  • Providing doula mentoring for Black women
  • Following the call in your life without fear
Listen to the Podcast:
Here are some ways you can connect to the work Nicolle is doing:

Phone: +1 (501) 291-0064
Email: nurturingarrows@gmail.com
Training Website: ​https://www.NurturingArrowsDoulaCoach.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingarrows/
​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturingarrows/
Comments

6/25/2019 Comments

One Woman, 10 Birth Experiences... From Hospital to Home to Hospital Birthing with Confidence

"I could not go back to accepting everything [they told] me, because I broke out of that paradigm and I saw another way... When you don't know another way, you think that's the only way and the best way. Homebirth, to me, is the best way..." ~ DeLynn Yvonne Hudson, MBA  

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THE HUDSON CLAN! DyLynn and, husband of almost 23 years, DeAndré with eight of their ten children.
When I first met DeLynn, she had just had her 6th baby. My husband and I had known her husband DeAndre since we were in college at Tuskegee University. At that time, I could not have imagined how much our families had in common or how close our families would become. We supported each other during our homeschooling years and Gene and I have the honor of being their children's godparents. I am so excited to share her birth stories with you.
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DeAndré and DeLynn Hudson
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Topics discussed:
  • Homeschooling and living outside of the norm
  • Deciding "no contraception"
  • Birthing at the hospital... the first time
  • Considering homebirth
  • Homebirth experiences
  • Birthing with her daughter in the room
  • Encouraging Black women to return to homebirth
  • Delivering babies vs Birthing babies
  • Birthing over 40 and returning to hospital birth
  • The power of understanding birth and your body
  • Directing birth at the hospital... making requests during labor
  • Being prepared for the WORK of labor
  • Remaining empowered in your hospital birth environment
  • Shifting paradigms about birth
  • Gifting our daughters with birth
  • Being discouraged in birth work
  • Challenging "allies" of Black women in birth culture
DeLynn shared these words of gratitude:

"Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for my Midwife Lynda Hitchcock that transitioned (passed away) in 2007. I birthed 3 out of 10 of my children with her in the comfort of my home. I loved every moment of my home birth experiences.

Lynda was the first woman to teach me that giving birth to my baby WAS NOT A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. She taught me that most women would have safe and beautiful birthing experiences if the mother was in a preferred, comfortable, and supportive environment.

She was the first woman who taught me that birthing in a hospital contributes to the baby and mother being "IN DISTRESS" and the mom feeling afraid (i.e. unfamiliar surroundings, doctors, nurses, IVs, heart monitors, stirrups, and the 12 hour window). Lynda shared that several or all of the above can also contribute to the "need" for c-sections.

​She was the first woman who taught me that I and my baby do all the work. She was there to educate and assist me. Thank you Lynda Hitchcock for answering the call to Midwifery and our paths crossing. You were a gift to the birthing world. You transformed my life forever."
Listen to the MP3:
Get in touch with DeLynn Hudson:
LinkedIn: DeLynn Hudson
Facebook: DeLynn Hudson
Email: dyhudson@gmail.com
​
Phone: +1 (219) 292-2666
Comments
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    When we help Birth HERstory Traditions 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 African American 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. Do you have a birth tradition, story or practice that you would like to share?  Do you know someone who could be interviewed that has a story to share that shows the connection between modern Black women and their traditional birth practices? Send Dr. Doula a message and let her know.

    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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