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Birth HERstory Blog


​Celebrating the HERstory of Black women in BIRTH in the 21st Century

9/17/2019 Comments

Nurturing Mother-Daughter Connections & Managing the Expectations and Disappointments of Homebirth

"When we try to put all of our energy and time toward unraveling white issues, [we're] not gonna really deal with the Black issues. You need to heal yourself... learn your people, your culture. Learn what fits you. You are gonna be chasing something not designed for your DNA. It's not designed for your cultural experience."  ~ Tayo Mbande

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Tayo and her mother Toni, co-founders of Chicago Birthworks Collective
I was first interested in interviewing Tayo Mbande to talk about her recent home birth, but I could not ignore the work I have seen her doing through Chicago Birthworks Collective (CBC), an organization she co-founded with her mother, Toni. Most recently, CBC hosted the 1st Annual Black Breastfeeding Cookout, the very first gathering of its kind and it was well received among Black families. Before that, members participated in the 90th Annual Bud Biliken Parade, the largest Black parade in the nation. Black women breastfeeding was promoted, celebrated and showcased to the Black community in Chicago by some of its own daughters. Additionally, Tayo has taken opportunities to speak on various radio platforms as an advocate for Black women in childbirth.
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CBC Black Breastfeeding Cookout
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CBC at the Bud Billiken Parade
I have so much appreciation for Tayo's youth and also her ability to mobilize other young Black women toward birthwork. More impressive than her work is listening to her speak about her relationship with her mother and how it has been shaped through motherhood. Their relationship triumphs are encouragement for other Black women seeking to heal generational challenges to reclaim sacred birth traditions.
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CBC describes "The Black Girl's Labor Guide" as a: A labor guide designed FOR US, BY US
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Topics discussed:
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  • Entering birthwork with your mom
  • ​Having a “community mom” and 'pimpin’ out your mom???
  • Dealing with the realities of birthwork
  • Historical context between Black mothers and daughters
  • Black and white vaginas vs. womb histories
  • Talking to your daughters about “coming out of your vagina”
  • The responsibility to “tend to your connections” with your “mothers”
  • “Lotus Birth” analogy
  • Being aware of the “work” you are supposed to do
  • Healing so your daughters don’t have to
  • Understanding Black concerns
  • Family making the difference in the birth space
  • Birth experiences in the hospital
  • Deciding to birth at home
  • Allowing the community to care for you
  • Taking personal responsibility for your birth choices
  • Challenges during pregnancy and postpartum
  • Gathering your “Birth Village” and learning together
  • Having a “Family Birth” and assigning roles to your birth village 
  • Black men “tending” to birth
  • Experiencing spontaneous labor for the first time with your 3rd child
  • “Calling labor forth...”
  • Having irregular labor patterns during a home birth
  • Actualization and disappointments during homebirth
  • Tending to pain and being authentic in childbirth
  • Managing “Instagram expectations” of homebirth
  • “The Black Girl’s Labor Guide”
  • Prioritizing the needs of your children within your work
In this interview, Tayo discusses her unassisted homebirth experience and, for those who appreciate small rays of sunshine like me will also enjoying seeing her little ones toward the end of the interview. Tayo shares these words of graitude:

"My gratitude goes first to my mother, who was my first home and continues to nurture me through my own motherhood and through my journey as a birth worker. My gratitude then goes to all of my grandmothers through who's wombs I've passed! They continue to reveal to me the practices that have and will save our lives and our children's lives. I am thankful to the women of Chicago Birthworks Collective and the Black birthworker community in Chicago for continuously investing in me with their time, and wisdom of Black womanhood, and motherhood. Shafia Monroe for lighting the way of return to traditional Black woman centered care and being present to support in this work. "
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CBC at the 1st Annual Black Breastfeeding Cookout in Chicago in August 2019.
​Listen to the Podcast:
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​Learn more about the work Brandi is doing and connect with her to take advantage of the opportunities she is making available:

Website: www.ChicagoBirthworks.com
Office: 872-903-3813
Email: Tayo@chicagobirthworks.com
Instagram: @ChicagoBirthworksCo​

FB Page: Chicago Birthworks Collective
Comments

8/25/2019 Comments

The Comedic Legend of the Black Breastfeeding Champion in Chicago Who Had an AFRICAN ROAR

"You can never, ever, ever be excellent and comfortable. Excellence and comfort do not equate. If you think [that by] being comfortable, excellence is  gonna come... Honey, I'm telling you, you'll never be great."  
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~ Rebecca Jackson-Artis, MFA

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This conversation is a long time coming, but with the commencement of Black Breastfeeding Week during this last week of August, I thought it a perfect time to introduce people to one of the greatest influences I ever had in the area of lactation. There are few who have made the impact that Rebecca Jackson-Artis did in lactation in the Chicago area while she was involved in birth culture. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find anyone involved in birth in Chicagoland during the beginning of this decade who did not know her or was not influenced by her work or her words.

I mentioned her words for a reason. Anyone who knows Rebecca knows that she has never been one to mince her words. In other words, "She said what she said..." Rebecca has always taken a no non-sense approach to anything she does. Expect extreme candidness throughout this interview. She is also a comedian, so if you are easily offended by words or context, brace yourself.
Before Rebecca moved to North Carolina five years ago, she served as a lactation activist, sat on boards and advocated for Black families who desired to teach their children based on African principles. During my recorded conversation with her, we talked about the changes that are manifesting in the Chicago area that seemed so far out of reach a half decade ago. Since the beginning of 2019, Black birth workers have begun to offer workshops centered around Black women, marched in the Bud Billiken Parade to highlight Black breastfeeding and hosted the 1st Annual Black Breastfeeding Cookout to introduce the Black community in Chicago to Black birth workers and kick off Black Breastfeeding Week 2019. At each event I have attended, I have thought to myself: "Rebecca would LOVE this!" The seeds she planted all over Chicagoland are not only growing, but they are blooming flowers.

In many ways, Rebecca's influence seemed to be ahead of its time in the Chicago area. And while her influence in birth culture was dynamic, it was short lived. She has returned to her first love - FILM and THE STAGE, though few who have experienced Rebecca's passion in the birth world would ever believe that lactation was not her first love.

Through Sankofa Birth Ambassador Workshops, I encounter women who find themselves drawn to birth work from different professions. I am excited to share a portion of Rebecca's story because I believe it will demonstrate to others the diversity of Black women who are coming to this work. I hope it serves as a reminder that Black women should see NO LIMITS to the ways that they can be a part of birth culture. Rebecca is a wonderful example of how we can use our diverse gifts and talents to save ourselves.
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One of the first pictures I ever saw of Rebecca on Facebook
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In 2015, Rebecca captioned this photo: "In honor of World Breastfeeding Week..."
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Socks I crafted for Rebecca with breastfeeding positions before she moved to North Carolina 5 years ago.
​Disclaimer:
Rebecca discusses various aspects of her life and experiences with much candor. Please read the topics that will be discussed. These interviews are not censored or edited.
Topics discussed:
  • ​Working as a pregnant comedian
  • Country vs. Bougie
  • Being influenced by a holistic grandmother
  • Inspiration to birth at home
  • Remembering the 90s and honoring the power of the womb
  • Making the decision to have a midwife, homebirth and breastfeed
  • The function of education
  • Growing up hating one’s Blackness
  • Learning that BLACK = EXCELLENCE at an HBCU
  • Advocating for oneself in the hospital
  • Birth experiences
  • Dealing with the aversion to pain
  • Dealing with being uncomfortable
  • “Testing” being a part of life
  • Making the decision to birth at home
  • Birthing at home
  • Mindful perceptions about birth and womanhood 
  • Breastfeeding after molestation
  • The healing power of breastfeeding
  • Psychoanalyzing personal challenges
  • Returning to the stage and screen​
Rebecca offers this gratitude:
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My great-grandmother Lue Kelly-Johnson, my grandmother Verna Johnson Turner, my mother Antoinette Rogers Jackson, my doula Isabelle Flegel, my midwives Kathleen Harmon and Sarah Simmons, TLC's A Baby Story and Birth Center, Dr. Alan Colon, PhD, and the African-centered community of women and men who honor the womb.   
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Deirdre (asé), Saaudiah, and me after we completed Rebecca's breastfeeding class.
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Rebecca and I at a conference 2014 where she was speaking and advocating for Black women and breastfeeding
Listen to the Podcast:
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Connect with Rebecca and learn about her newest endeavors:

Email: rebeccajacksonartis@gmail.com
Website: 
www.rebeccajacksonartis.com
Twitter: @rebeccajackart
Instagram: @rebejackart 
LinkedIn:  Rebecca Jackson-Artis 
YouTube: Rebecca Jackson-Artis
Facebook: Black Becky Speaks  
Facebook: Totally Becky 
Facebook: The Rebecca Show 

Comments

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
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Training FB Page: Abuela Doula
LinkedIn: ​Mars Lord
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Instagram: @AbuelaDoula
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Twitter:Abuela Doulas
Comments
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    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!
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    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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