African American Birth HERstory Traditions

6/25/2019 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

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.

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 MP3:

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

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4/10/2019 Comments

A Candid Conversation with a Historian & Herbalist of Southern Black Midwife Traditions

"What we throw away, somebody picks up, repackages it, and sells it to you and then you want to buy it... Your assimilation and throwing away of your culture does not help you and you end up being lost." ~ Divine Bailey-Nicholas

From the moment this interview began, I knew that it would be special. The southern girl in me instantly felt a connection with Divine Bailey-Nicholas and the knowledge and experiences she was sharing. Before we ever talked about herbalism, our conversation revolved more around the rich Black culture of the South, how it developed and the importance of its legacy to our longevity as Black people and Black birth in this country.

Divine is the creator of Grandma's Hands Pregnancy and Postpartum Herbs & Nutrition in the Southern Tradition, a "6 week Online Course Focusing on the Herbs and Healing Modalities Historically used by Black Southern Midwives." She is not only a birth worker and herbalist, but also a repository of Southern history explaining ways that southern birth and postpartum traditions have influenced various aspects of broader Black culture and even the Black church in previous generations.

This extensive interview with Divine is divided into two parts. In the first part, Divine provides historical context for southern Black culture, which is important to fully embrace the historical context of birth among Diasporic Africans in the U.S. In the second part, she shares about herbs and how you can develop a healing relationship with plants around you.

Topics discussed:

The connection between northern and southern traditions in Black communities
Considering "the branches" of your family
Our history and Black culture in plain sight
Protecting the legacy of Black midwives
The similarities in the diversity of Black American Culture
Valuing others cultures more the we value our own culture
The intermingling of religion and Black birth culture
The value of the south to the African American’s story and honoring Southern traditions
The herbalist as a healer
BEING in your community and NOT BEING a Savior
RE-MEMBERING who you are
The danger of revisioning YOUR OWN history
How Black Birth workers are viewed in their communities
How to SURVIVE and THRIVE as a Black birth worker in Black Communities
The need for cultural competency within Black communities

Listen to Part 1 on MP3:

Listen to Part 2 on MP3:

You can connect with Divine to learn about her current workshops and the work she is doing:

Website: https://www.divinebirthwisdom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivineBirthWisdom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinebirthwisdom/
Non-profit: http://communitybirthcompanion.org/

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3/4/2019 Comments

Uncompromised Pursuit of PEACEFUL BIRTHS in the Hospital Environment

Meet Tunisia Macklin, the Peaceful Birthing Doula. She has been a massage therapist for more than 15 years and professional doula and a placenta encapsulator for almost 10 years. However, birth has always been a part of her life and and a passion to which she feels called. While her nature is the "peaceful doula", she is also known to be unrelenting in her passion to teach women how to advocate for themselves in the hospital environment.

Tunisia Macklin of Peaceful Birthing Doula

TOPICS DISCUSSED

Passion and "the call" to birth
Birth as a family affair
Birth as a HOLY THING
How to manage the hospital birthing environment
The role of the partner during birth
Interpreting the CUES and CLUES in the medical environment
Understanding "medical necessity"
Posturing and positioning yourself in the medical environment
Helping moms navigate tough decisions
Knowing the difference between "policy & procedure" and "the law"
Knowing what you are "allowed" to do in birth
Preparing the next generation for birth
To GET PAID or NOT GET PAID for birth work

If you are ready to be inspired as well as ignited toward work with birthing families, you will appreciate this interview. Tell us what you think in the comments.

Listen to the MP3 instead:

Tunisia has expressed her interest in sharing with other doulas and supporting their journeys. Here are some ways you can reach out to her:

Website: www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com
Blog: peacefulbirthingdoulaservices.blogspot.com/
Email: peacefulbirthingdoula@gmail.com
Phone: (630)481-6079
Facebook: www.facebook.com/peacefulbirthingdoula
Twitter: www.twitter.com/peacefulbdoula
Instagram: www.instagram.com/peacefulbdoula

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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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Birth HERstory

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

A Candid Conversation with a Historian & Herbalist of Southern Black Midwife Traditions

"What we throw away, somebody picks up, repackages it, and sells it to you and then you want to buy it... Your assimilation and throwing away of your culture does not help you and you end up being lost." ~ Divine Bailey-Nicholas

Uncompromised Pursuit of PEACEFUL BIRTHS in the Hospital Environment

When we help Birth HERstory Traditions we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world!

Dr. Doula

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