NATAL

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Documentary
**NATAL**

NATAL passes the mic to Black families to hear all about their journey to parenthood in their own words. Our second season follows four parents in rural Mississippi, Iowa and Hawaii as they birth new lives and legacies exactly where they are. Interwoven by narrative interludes, this 10-part story album features the birthworkers, medical professionals and advocates caring for Black rural families at every stage of pregnancy and beyond.

Latest Episodes:

Introducing Season Two Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Coming Soon: NATAL heads to rural America for season two.

NATAL x NPR Life Kit: Navigating Life After Pregnancy Loss Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Despite how common pregnancy loss is, families often suffer in silence. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week (#BMHW21), we teamed up with NPR’s Life Kit to share stories from parents who have experienced loss, and expert advice about how to support loved ones through grief.

In this episode we mention:

Episode Five: Marilyn and Yvonne’s Stories
Sisters in Loss
The NATAL Resource Hub
NPR: Life Kit

The NATAL Summit: Parent Storytellers Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The NATAL Summit! In this bonus episode, several parent storytellers from NATAL Season One gathered in a multi-generational conversation about the value of oral traditions, agency, and healing for Black birthing parents. You'll hear from:

Marilyn Abrahams, Episode Five
Shellie Blackson, Episode Four
Trish Jones, Episode Eight
Moderators: Co-Hosts Martina Abrahams Ilunga & Gabrielle Horton

Share your story on NATAL

We're looking for stories for Season Two! This time, we're focusing on Black birthing parents, providers and advocates in rural communities. If you or someone you know have given birth, delivered a birth, or supported birthing persons in rural areas, visit natal stories.com/participate for more information.

The NATAL Summit: Our production team Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The NATAL Summit! In this bonus episode, our very own production team offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to produce Black stories with dignity and how the team approached the season from a craft perspective. You'll hear from our:

Editor, Tiara Darnell
Sound Designer & Engineer, Jessica Jupiter
Producer, Jhodie Williams
Co-Hosts, Gabrielle Horton and Martina Abrahams Ilunga

NATAL Summit: Providers & Birthworkers Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Welcome back to The NATAL Summit! In this bonus episode, medical providers and birthworkers share steps needed to create a more integrated model of care that empowers Black birthing parents and protects the sacredness of the childbirth process.

In this episode you'll hear from:

Dr. Sinmi Bamgbose (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
Latham Thomas (Mama Glow)
Dr. Jamila Perritt (Board-certified OBGYN)
Tanya Smith Johnson (Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition - Hawaii)
Moderator: Martina Abrahams Ilunga (NATAL)

NATAL Summit: Birth Equity Advocates Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to The NATAL Summit! In this bonus episode, birth equity advocates from the non-profit sector to government discuss how they're advancing public narratives, alongside effective data-informed public policies that result in better health outcomes for Black birthing parents.

In this episode you’ll hear from:

Congresswoman Alma Adams, D-NC (Black Maternal Health Caucus)
Jamille Fields Allsbrook (Center for American Progress)
Kimberly Seals Allers (Irth)
Charles Johnson, (4Kira4Moms)
Moderator Gabrielle Horton (NATAL)

Eight: Trish's Story Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

In our season finale, Dallas-based mother and doula, Trish, demonstrates what agency from day one looks like for Black birthing parents: Trish shares what inspired her to become a birthworker, as well as the story of her home birth experience, including the phenomenal care she received from her Black midwife and doula. And Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC), co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, tells us why care for Black birthing parents is personal for her and how she's fighting on Capitol Hill to improve policy and protections for them.

In this episode we mention: Homebirth midwives, Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC), The Black Maternal Health Caucus and Momnibus Act of 2020, Expectations placed on Black pregnant women at work, Where you can rewatch the NATAL Summit

Follow NATAL on social media: @natalstories

Join our Facebook Community to connect with other parents, birth workers, and advocates.

NATAL is produced by You Had Me at Black and The Woodshaw. Listen to You Had Me at Black wherever you get your podcasts.

Seven: Alexius' Story Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

This week we’re at home with Alexius Hill, a Memphis-based young mother who chose to give birth at home despite her family and friends’ concerns about doing so. We discuss the stigma around home births, and explore the radical work of full-spectrum doulas and the ways they strive to provide quality perinatal support for all birthing parents.

In this episode we mention: Homebirths, and their costs, safety and legality; Positive home birth outcomes for low-risk birthing parents; Full-spectrum doula practice; Charlie Monlouis Anderle of Nourishing Seeds Doula; The NATAL Summit

Follow NATAL on social media: @natalstories

Join our Facebook Community to connect with other parents, birth workers, and advocates.

NATAL is produced by You Had Me at Black and The Woodshaw. Listen to You Had Me at Black wherever you get your podcasts.

Six: Brittany's Story Jul 22, 2020

Show notes

After receiving subpar care with OBGYNs at her local hospital, Brittany pursues pre-natal care with a midwife. In this episode, we explore alternative care models for Black birthing parents, and hear from Demetra Seriki, a midwife in Colorado.

In this episode we mention: Midwives, Birthing Centers, The Business of Being Born Documentary, and Demetra Seriki of A Mother’s Choice Midwifery

Follow NATAL on social media: @natalstories

Join our Facebook Community to connect with other parents, birth workers, and advocates.

NATAL is produced by You Had Me at Black and The Woodshaw. Listen to You Had Me at Black wherever you get your podcasts.

Five: Marilyn and Yvonne's Stories Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

Marilyn and Yvonne are two parents determined to grow their families. When pregnancy loss disrupts their plans, they turn to their faith. Please note, this episode contains graphic details about miscarriage and stillbirth.

In this episode we mention: Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Sleeping Babies, and Black Millennial Marriage Podcast. For resources for coping with pregnancy loss, visit the Mayo Clinic, CDC, and NATAL Resource Hub. For support following a loss, visit Still Birth Day and Sisters in Loss.

Follow NATAL on social media: @natalstories

Join our Facebook Community to connect with other parents, birth workers, and advocates.

NATAL is produced by You Had Me at Black and The Woodshaw. Listen to You Had Me at Black wherever you get your podcasts.