African American Birth HERstory Traditions

5/4/2019 Comments

Using YOUR SUPERPOWER to Change Birth Culture for Black Women and Disrupt a Broken System

"What's your place in this? What are you contributing to this mess we are in? What can you do? What is your strength? We need US everywhere! If birth work is yours, find out what is your niche in birth work. What is your job? Everybody's not gonna do the same thing." ~ Stephanie Mitchell, CNM, DNP

INCOMING!!! That is what I think every time I see a notification that @Doctor_Midwife is live on Instagram. I told her once, "I must admit... I LOVE your disappearing IG LIVES... Everytime I think about it, I think to myself, "This woman blows up the world EVERYDAY and 24 hours later there is no evidence that she threw the grenade!" Don't let her smile and bubbly personality fool you. Every time she opens her mouth, you can expect to hear something that is informative, but also challenging to those content in their lack of regard for the urgency of Black women's situation.

Topics discussed:

First Impressions of the Female Body
Being Informed about Sexuality
Unnecessary Invasions of Womanhood
Experiences in Labor & Delivery
Representation in Midwifery within Communities
Covert "Violence" in Maternity Care
Challenges to Finding Preceptors for Black Women
Going WHEREVER It Takes
Using Your Strength to INTERRUPT
Focusing on BLACK
Confirming "the call" in Alabama
"Doctor Midwife: At Your Cervix" Podcast
Answering the Call to Birth
Modern Challenges in Birth Culture
The Responsibility to Educate Yourself

Stephanie is RAW and REAL, and in this interview, she she shares her personal and professional experiences with authenticity and spirit. She is an example of why the Birth HERstory Blog exists as a platform that shares the LIVED TRUTHS of Black women uncensored and unedited. Want an idea of what you can expect from this interview? This was Stephanie's response when asked who she would like to show gratitude to:

"I’m grateful to my black ass self that I can use my experience and expertise to disrupt a broken system for black women. I encourage others to use whatever talents, skill, or influence they have to leverage the disparities we witness everyday in all aspects of walking this human existence. Thank you to those who are already using their talents for such measures."

Listen to the Podcast:

Get in Touch with Doctor_Midwife:

Instagram: Doctor_Midwife
Podcast: Doctor Midwife: At Your Cervix
Email: YourDoctorMidwife@gmail.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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Birth HERstory Blog

Using YOUR SUPERPOWER to Change Birth Culture for Black Women and Disrupt a Broken System

"What's your place in this? What are you contributing to this mess we are in? What can you do? What is your strength? We need US everywhere! If birth work is yours, find out what is your niche in birth work. What is your job? Everybody's not gonna do the same thing." ~ Stephanie Mitchell, CNM, DNP

Dr. Doula

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