Birth Stories in Color

Latest Episodes:

18 | Tatia - Shared by Maddy Oden Dec 11, 2018

Show notes

This is a story about loss - In memory of Tatia Oden French & Baby Zorah

Tatia's story began like many, she had a healthy pregnancy, she and her family were excited to be growing, and when they went in for her induction, they were expecting to walk away with a healthy baby. However, things did not go as planned and sadly both Tatia and her baby Zorah died in the operating room.

We had the honor of having Tatia's mother Maddy Oden to share Tatia's story with us. Maddy and her family knew that they didn't want others to go through the same experience. From their loss, they developed the Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation in March 2003 to continue Tatia's memory and provide education to others.

"It gives ALL women of childbearing age complete information concerning medical interventions and drugs which are administered during childbirth. We do this hoping that women may then be able to make FULLY informed decisions regarding the birth of their children." - Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation

This experience highlights the importance of informed consent, the medicalization of birth specifically with the induction drug Cytotec and infant/maternal mortality. We hope that as you listen, you don't sit in fear from their story, but instead take in the information, share it with others and help extend the mission of the foundation.

We can't control birth, and we can't predict outcomes, but we can gather information to ensure decisions are lead by our informed voices!

Resources:

Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation | foundation website with resources, videos, articles and more information on their work

Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation | Facebook page

Sponsors:

Fringe22 | Design & Creative Strategy

Today's programming is in partnership with FRINGE22 design & creative strategy. A design studio focused on brand development and creative strategy aimed at connecting with people who are committed to social impact. For sneak peaks of their work, you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @fringe22studio.

17 | Standing in the Truth of Birth - Myra Barnes Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

Last month we were invited by the Birthmark Doula Collective to bring our podcast on the road and attend their first Black Birth Matters conference. It indeed was a day of empowerment and healing. Black women's voices were centered, and the conference allowed everyone there to tap into community growth. As Birthmark Doula Jamilla Webb eloquently stated in her opening speech, "Are you okay, sis? I see you. I hear you. You are inherently valuable. You deserve to tell your story." We hope all who attended are uplifting the spirit of that day and sharing it with others!

During the conference, we set up a mini recording studio and invited attendees to come and share their birth stories. In doing so we met Myra Barnes, and she allowed us to hold space for her experience. It's such a wonderful feeling when you can feel the stars aligning! As soon as we began talking with Myra, you could feel that shift.

Myra's story was an accurate reflection of the conference. It highlighted the power in healing ourselves. Especially for women of color. When we can tap into the work (whatever that may look like) in making ourselves better, we can heal while adding in stopping cycles of trauma. To do that, we have to be ok with being vulnerable and transparent with our friends, our families and ourselves. Myra said it best, "I'm hoping that we can do a better job of supporting each other to be better givers of life. Better leaders and advocates, especially for ourselves in a world where we have been conditioned to be silent."

Sponsors:

Doula Trainings International (DTI) | for the modern doula

Doula Trainings International is an educational body and professional community certifying doulas, childbirth educators, and lactation specialists. They believe today's birth workers deserve an accessible and appealing learning environment - one that is positive, inclusive and provides a quality experience. A movement, a community, a purpose. Beyond their courses, DTI is also an international network of doulas - united as advocates for social justice, reproductive justice, and professional growth. Together they are on a mission to revolutionize the birth world, to find out more and to connect go to www.doulatrainingsinternational.com.

16 | Healing - Erica Maddox Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Erica was 19 when she had her daughter and while she wasn't necessarily sure how to prep she knew that no matter what she had to be in good space and mindset. Her daughter was born five weeks early. Labor lasted for 5 hours and included three pushes. Erica indicates that her daughter arrived in true Taurus form, like a bull ready to take on the world.

Once her daughter made her arrival, Erica found herself struggling to navigate postpartum. A sentiment that many birthing parents can connect with. Breastfeeding was difficult, she was working through feelings of self-doubt and not being a good enough mother. While she was able to put on a face for everyone around her, internally, she knew something was wrong.

Now 11 years from that time and reflecting on it, Erica knows she was suffering from postpartum depression. Currently studying counseling psychology and supporting families as a doula, she's working to help other birthing parents navigate their journeys. Erica is hoping that by being open about her experience and sharing her story, she's helping to normalize conversations of postpartum struggles. If you are looking to connect with Erica for doula support find her Trac-E Doula RI on Facebook and Instagram.

15 | Age Ain't Nothing But A Number - Derrin Moore Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

If you are a birthing person at the age of 35 or older, you have probably heard the term advanced maternal age. In this episode, we meet Derrin Moore, 42-year-old mama, who didn't let this term or categorization determine how she created her family.

Studies show that first time birthing individuals over the age of 35 can have increased risk for potential complications. These include excessive bleeding during delivery, prolonged or stalled labor, high blood pressure, premature delivery, and increased risk of genetic disorders in the baby (Evidence Based Birth). As with any process of birth, that doesn't mean that is the case for everyone. This sentiment is highlighted by Evidence Based Birth, "Certainly women of advanced maternal age go on to have otherwise completely healthy pregnancies and deliveries—increase odds by practicing healthy lifestyle choices and seek out a care provider that doesn’t automatically classify you as high risk simply based on your age."

As we discussed with Derrin, all birthing individuals should be given the opportunity to place themselves in a box, not the birthing system. When Derrin found out she was pregnant with her rainbow baby, she felt that stigma immediately. Her doctors saw her age and could only see the risk. Derrin even had family members tell her that a cesarean birth was the only option for her delivery. Knowing that she was having fear about birth and needing lots of medical interventions, she prepared in ways she thought best.

Being a gymnastic and circus instructor coach, she felt fit and kept working until she couldn't. She hired a doula and sought out additional support. Derrin's birth did not go exactly as she planned and that's ok, that's birth. From her story, we realize how impactful society's view on our expectations of our bodies can be. To all the cesarean birth parents, you, your body and your birth journeys are powerful!

One of the reasons that Birth Stories in Color was created, is because we knew our community needed space to allow families to process, learn and sometimes heal from their birth stories. We witnessed Derrin do that work in this episode. Our discussion with Derrin was the first time she fully shared her story, and we are incredibly thankful for her vulnerability!

Resources:

CooperRose | advocates for cloth diapering, breastfeeding, baby-wearing & natural product in communities lacking support

Evidence Based Birth | online childbirth resource

14 | Led by Intuition - Kimberly Fayton Sep 02, 2018

Show notes

Two things we learned from Kimberly, there is power in your intuition and normalizing birth for older siblings!

To prepare for the birth of her children Kimberly and her husband took the Bradley Method childbirth education classes along with the Hypnobabies series. Kimberly explains these as being very beneficial. They provided her with the tools to help alleviate the fear of birth and allowed her to find peace with the experience.

As you listen to her stories, you find this to be very real. Her first birth was 17.5 hours, with the rest of her children coming into the world much faster, especially her fourth child with her labor only being 2 hours. Many families hope for speedy births, but what we don't realize at times, is that these types of experiences require families to birth on their own, unintentionally and for them to trust the process.

We hear all the time that birthing bodies know what to do, it's the mind we have to convince! Kimberly's experience is an excellent example of letting the education around birth elevate your mind to the level it needs be.

Another way of tackling that is for us to change what society has taught us about birth, and that begins with educating our children, normalizing birth for them. To include her older children in adding a family member, Kimberly would accompany them in watching birthing videos and explain to them what was happening.

During the birth of the new baby, her children went about their regular routines but were always welcomed to join her as she labored throughout the house. We love that after the birth of her daughter, Kimberly sons, snuggled next to her on the living room couch and just observed her postpartum care and their new sister. Taking it all in, for them, this is birth, at home surrounded in love!

Kimberly has currently begun training as a doula, if you are interested in connecting with her find her at Mama Bean Birth Works and Black Mamas Parenting Naturally.

13 | Dropping Expectations - Lara Alsoudani Weeks Jul 23, 2018

Show notes

Lara describes her pregnancy and birth as a true partnership with her husband, Alfredo. Together they did research, watched birthing videos, interviewed care providers and sought out friends and family for advice. Their strong connection was evident that when in their birthing space full of people Lara expresses that even though she couldn't always see Alfredo, his voice and presence was the only one she could hear and feel.

While her pregnancy and birth were healthy and easy to navigate, postpartum required more of Lara. She fell easily into her routine before baby but soon realized that she was starting to feel the weight of this new transition. Lara sought out support from her midwife and realized that what she was experiencing was affecting not only her relationship with Alfredo but also her bond with her daughter Layla. Lara got serious about her journey with postpartum depression and acquired professional help. She notes that it's on ongoing, she still has flare-ups, yet the most important and valuable thing for her is recognizing the time when she needs extra support and honoring that!

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) report that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which include Postpartum Depression, affect 1 in 7 pregnant and new mothers. Whether you are a birthing person who is struggling, a concerned friend or relative, reach out for support from a healthcare professional. A great resource is the Postpartum Health Alliance which can offer support and referrals to resources that can help.

Resources:

Empowered Birth Project |birth censorship campaign
OSU Midwifery
Stop Censoring Motherhood |social media platform

Sponsors:

Fringe22 | Design & Creative Strategy
Today's programming is in partnership with FRINGE22 design & creative strategy. A design studio focused on brand development and creative strategy aimed at connecting with people who are committed to social impact. For sneak peaks of their work, you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @fringe22studio.

12 | Birth & The Art of Mindfulness - Laurel Gourrier Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

Parenthood as a whole has this way of requiring you to surrender. Surrendering to the unknown, knowing though, that it's going to be a beautiful journey. When Laurel was finally able to yield she describes her son's birth as transformative for her relationship with herself mentally and physically. Many people claim birth to be a rebirth for the birthing person; her story is a reflection of that.

When Laurel and her husband began discussing the birth of their son, they knew that if it were a healthy pregnancy, the best space for their birth would be a home birth. Much of the preparation was finding a village to support them. With the guidance and support of her family, doula and midwives, their son was born surrounded by love. This space of love entirely defined by them.

Her journey required her to be mindful of the way she approached bonding during pregnancy, overcoming her fears of birth and walking in the ebb and flow of postpartum. Our take away from this episode is that we all in our everyday walk of life find ways to be mindful and present.

Resources:

ROOTT (Restoring Our Own Through Transformation) | black woman led reproductive justice organization

Columbus Midwife Collective | group of professional midwives

Ren the Doula | doula & birth affirmations creator

Aliayo Waistbeads | handmade jewelry

11 | Being Present - Simone Toomer Jun 24, 2018

Show notes

When Simone and her husband began planning to add to their family, they knew they wanted to have a home birth. Choosing this choice as Simone wanted full body autonomy and wanted to make sure she surrounded herself with a team to support her in that.

As you listen to Simone's story, you realize that even when we prepare to the fullest extent, pregnancy and birth can still cause anxiety. As a doula, Simone had to remind herself to get out of her head constantly. Trusting the process of birth and being entirely in touch with her body and baby. The day that her son was born, she did that, as she states, her knowledge and experience couldn't prep her for everything yet when she was present in what was happening "she felt labor, she felt the birth" of her son.

A big piece of Simone's story we feel should be a take away for everyone is postpartum planning. We love that Simone share's that families should create a postpartum plan, the same way they would their birth plans. Standing firm in their community and no matter what asking for help!

Resources:

Doula Trainings International (DTI) | doula training and childbirth education training

Sakina Midwifery | midwifery services in NY

Just for You Doula | birth and postpartum doula services in NY

10 | Not so by the Book Mommy - Isabella Otarola May 15, 2018

Show notes

Isabella and her husband found out just a few days before they were to get married that they were pregnant with their son. They would find that with his birth he would surprise them again. When considering her birth options, Isabella had always pictured herself having a homebirth. As she had a healthy and smooth pregnancy, she worked through making that possible with the help of her cousin who was a doula.

There were many aspects of her birth that Isabella expected. However, the speed at which her son arrived, caught her and her husband by surprise! Soon after her water broke, contractions began coming fast and fierce. She explains that when her midwife arrived, she looked at both her and her husband and told them she could feel the baby's head. Isabella followed the intuition of her body and birthed her son in their bedroom, squatting with the support of her husband.

A valuable lesson we took from Isabella's story is the way in which she listened to her body not only during her sons birth but also in her 4th trimester. While postpartum for her was both physically and emotionally tiring, she remained patient and in contact with her body to assure the best recovery she could have!

Resources:

La Leche League International | breastfeeding support

Birth Without Fear

09 | The Educated Birth - Cheyenne Varner Apr 17, 2018

Show notes

The Educated Birth provides educational materials for birth workers to help in preparing the families they support. They represent the diverse families within our community while being both inclusive and informative. Cheyenne began The Educated Birth initially out of necessity for her clients. She soon discovered that many other birth workers were craving the need for what she was offering, and with that, she opened The Educated Birth shop.

As the shop has grown, Cheyenne realized there was another need. While sitting in her OBGYN's office, she noticed that many of the magazines lacked diversity. She realized she wanted to create something that would touch families one-on-one providing them with information about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. Cheyenne explains that "Everyday Birth Magazine is my love letter to the birth world, and also to the world in general. It says, "Whoever you are, you belong here."

If you would like to connect with Cheyenne for doula support, design, photography or writing work head to her website.

To learn more about or purchase your educational materials from The Educated Birth, click here.

Interested in purchasing the Everyday Magazine, head over to the website where you can purchase both print and digital copies.

Resources/Kickstarters:

Richmond Doula Project | collective of full-spectrum doulas in Richmond, VA

Richmond Doulas | nonprofit organization of independent doulas

Mother May I? | documentary
Consent begins at birth
"I thought I was crazy." One-third of women describe their births as traumatic. They're also saying they were shamed and silenced afterward when they tried to talk about how they were treated or how they feel.

"I didn't even know I was allowed to say no." This situation is urgent. Every day, more women and birthing people are failed by a system that hurts and traumatizes them--especially women of color and other marginalized groups.

Original Body of Pain | documentary
For pregnant women facing addiction, recovery is a family affair – rife with judgment, stigma and plenty of obstacles along the way. Original Body of Pain portrays the American opioid epidemic in an immersive, longitudinal fashion, following families stricken by addiction and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - when babies are born exposed to substances - for over a year of their lives.

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