What I am truly thankful for in this process of gearing up to give birth (I'm now 37 weeks), is the fact that, even with my limited funds, I can have an advocate in my corner to help me to make informed choices and to have my back whatever those choices may be.
A doula or woman who serves is a trained professional (but NOT an OB/GYN, midwife or nurse) who provides support for a woman before, during and just after birth. Doulas can provide comforting touch, techniques to ease pain and make labor go smoother, give you information before the birth about things that may happen and give you the tools to make your own informed choice and give you the power to use your choices and your voice to your healthcare provider about how you want your birth experience to go. Essentially, she provides and helps those around you to provide the all too important non-medical support you need while you transition into motherhood.
Doulas are not a new trend, but an old and ancient tradition that has resurfaced in recent years. Unfortunately, sometimes the cost of having a doula can be out of most of our price range, but some doulas who truly just want to help you have the best birthing experience possible are willing to work with your budget (or lack therefof).
Women of color (specifically, Black women) are on the lowest end of the almost every statistic when it comes to natural birthing. We are the highest in having cesareans and the lowest in breast feeding after birth. Most of that comes from not feeling as if we have choices in the way we give birth and care for our children. Having real, professional and educated support outside of our medical provider is rare in our communities. We believe that the doctor knows best and don't learn how to trust our bodies or our babies. When infections or illness come into the picture, we don't get information about dietary changes and herbal alternatives from the doctor and lots of us do not know that there are natural things we can do in order to even do the research on our own. This can leave us open to lots of side effects that can mean pregnancy and labor complications, allergic reactions and resistance to other medications in the future
Doulas can help you to sort out all the wives' tales from the facts. She won't make the decisions for you, but can give you all the info you need to make your own decisions. A doula can help you realize and utilize the power that you have in your mind, body and spirit to bring your precious baby into the world and care for them the best you possibly can.
To begin researching doulas (in California) you can begin with MY doula, Derah, here.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Breastfeeding Injustice
In creating this blog, I did some research to try and find out why there are not more websites, blogs, campaigns or WHATEVER to promote natural parenting among women of color and, more specifically, Black women. I read some disturbing statistics from Kimberly Seals Allers of MochaManual.com that only 20% of Black women breastfeed compared to 40% of White women (check the breastfeeding stats below). When you think about all the benefits to breastfeeding (higher intelligence for baby, being better able to fight illness, greater sense of bonding, lower risk of breast cancer for mama, natural birth control, free source of food for baby, etc.) and the risks of giving baby formula at the start (respiratory complications, contaminants from the manufacturers [please see all the recent product recalls here], digestive problems, colic, etc.), one would think that breastfeeding is a no-brainer. But, with the economy at a devastating low all over the nation, and even lower in Black and Brown communities, mothers have to work. Folks surrounding expectant and new mothers do not create environments of support so that they know they can still work and give baby mama's milk.
Mothers on welfare or any sort of public assistance, such as WIC, will find that giving baby breast is even less supported. WIC is the single greatest purchaser of commercial infant formula (breastfeeding.com). Hospitals will automatically give babies pacifiers and bottles when in the nursery unless the mother specifically and categorically tells the staff not to, and then must make nurses keep babies in the room with them for the duration of the hospital stay (called "rooming in").Women who are receiving government assistance are so often told what is best for their babies, they give up the power to ask questions and make demands themselves- being treated as if, because of their economic status, their opinions and feelings are worthless, unfounded and should not be expressed.
That's when I came across this gem of a documentary called "Formula for Disaster". It's in five parts on youtube. It takes pkace in the Philippines, where only 16% of the women there breastfeed. This is due to poverty (although, the formula costs so much, families there are barely able to afford it) and mothers must work and no one tells them that they can still breastfeed while working. Also, the media and doctors pressure, manipulate and lie to these women stating formula is best for their babies (sound familiar?). Watch it, share it, discuss it.
Be peaceful and productive!
Earthy Mama
Mothers on welfare or any sort of public assistance, such as WIC, will find that giving baby breast is even less supported. WIC is the single greatest purchaser of commercial infant formula (breastfeeding.com). Hospitals will automatically give babies pacifiers and bottles when in the nursery unless the mother specifically and categorically tells the staff not to, and then must make nurses keep babies in the room with them for the duration of the hospital stay (called "rooming in").Women who are receiving government assistance are so often told what is best for their babies, they give up the power to ask questions and make demands themselves- being treated as if, because of their economic status, their opinions and feelings are worthless, unfounded and should not be expressed.
That's when I came across this gem of a documentary called "Formula for Disaster". It's in five parts on youtube. It takes pkace in the Philippines, where only 16% of the women there breastfeed. This is due to poverty (although, the formula costs so much, families there are barely able to afford it) and mothers must work and no one tells them that they can still breastfeed while working. Also, the media and doctors pressure, manipulate and lie to these women stating formula is best for their babies (sound familiar?). Watch it, share it, discuss it.
Be peaceful and productive!
 |
| Breastfeeding stats based on Race (via NPR.org) |
Monday, November 15, 2010
Greetings From Earthy Mama!
I am currently 35 and a half weeks pregnant. I am in a position where I need to rely on the government for medical care. This is the reason why I created this blog.
Before I became pregnant, I ate relatively healthy- mostly organic. I never really trusted doctors and instead did lots of research on homeopathy and natural remedies. I was always into preventing and reversing dis-ease through food and supplements. I don't get shots (and yes, part of that is because needles hurt and hurt even more with some searing medicine shooting through them) because of the research I've done on vaccines.
After I found out I was pregnant, I decided the "responsible" thing to do was to go to the doctor. I am overweight and things like heart disease and diabetes have their place in my family. I hadn't had a blood test in years (again, the needle thing), and while I began a pretty good diet regimen, I was unaware of any damage I may have already done to my body. And now, this wasn't just about me.
For people, like myself, who either have to stop working or work jobs that cannot/do not offer health benefits (both applied to me), you may find yourself in an ugly and terrifying situation: relying on the government. If you are not armed with enough information, you can also find yourself settling for less than what you and your baby deserve, no matter what your financial status.
Thus, I begin this journey.
I have learned lots from other birth blogs and facebook groups, but have been saddened by the fact that I am either the lone or one of very few Black faces that contribute from the discussions. I am also saddened by the fact that the resources available, should one decide to be an "Earthy Mama" are VERY limited if your funds are limited and/or if you live in the hood. There are not any (in my neck o' the woods that I have found) midwives that attend to homebirths that are able to accept government medical insurance. The same goes for birthing centers. But, the fact that information is so very limited on breastfeeding and it's benefits (for mama and baby), the risks of cesareans (which are on the rise in the Black and Brown communities and all over the US), the facts about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean, which is TOTALLY possible), the risks of epidurals and etc, etc, etc... it just COMPLETELY blows my mind. Let's not even mention (though I realize THIS is a mention) nutrition and the availability of fresh, organic food to poor mothers and pregnant women.
Most importantly, as I was researching and preparing for this first post, when I typed in "Black Pregnant Women", the results were... devastating. The first page of results in google were about murdered Black pregnant women, teen mothers, Black mothers dying during childbirth and other atrocities. I took that as a sign from the Almighty Father, Himself that there needed to be another voice.
So, this blog is dedicated to women, ALL women, who desire to be Earthy Mamas. The women who may not have known about the alternatives, which, really should NOT be alternatives at all, but the norm and the standard. But, this blog is especially dedicated to those women who may feel they do not have a voice in what they do with their bodies and babies because of pressure from doctors, government, family or whomever else. This is for you. I pray to have all sorts of info and resources for you all to learn and make informed choices. I'll tell you about my experiences and those of others. Ask me questions and I'll try to get as well-rounded an answer as possible.
Be peaceful and productive!
Earthy Mama
Before I became pregnant, I ate relatively healthy- mostly organic. I never really trusted doctors and instead did lots of research on homeopathy and natural remedies. I was always into preventing and reversing dis-ease through food and supplements. I don't get shots (and yes, part of that is because needles hurt and hurt even more with some searing medicine shooting through them) because of the research I've done on vaccines.
After I found out I was pregnant, I decided the "responsible" thing to do was to go to the doctor. I am overweight and things like heart disease and diabetes have their place in my family. I hadn't had a blood test in years (again, the needle thing), and while I began a pretty good diet regimen, I was unaware of any damage I may have already done to my body. And now, this wasn't just about me.
For people, like myself, who either have to stop working or work jobs that cannot/do not offer health benefits (both applied to me), you may find yourself in an ugly and terrifying situation: relying on the government. If you are not armed with enough information, you can also find yourself settling for less than what you and your baby deserve, no matter what your financial status.
Thus, I begin this journey.
I have learned lots from other birth blogs and facebook groups, but have been saddened by the fact that I am either the lone or one of very few Black faces that contribute from the discussions. I am also saddened by the fact that the resources available, should one decide to be an "Earthy Mama" are VERY limited if your funds are limited and/or if you live in the hood. There are not any (in my neck o' the woods that I have found) midwives that attend to homebirths that are able to accept government medical insurance. The same goes for birthing centers. But, the fact that information is so very limited on breastfeeding and it's benefits (for mama and baby), the risks of cesareans (which are on the rise in the Black and Brown communities and all over the US), the facts about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean, which is TOTALLY possible), the risks of epidurals and etc, etc, etc... it just COMPLETELY blows my mind. Let's not even mention (though I realize THIS is a mention) nutrition and the availability of fresh, organic food to poor mothers and pregnant women.
Most importantly, as I was researching and preparing for this first post, when I typed in "Black Pregnant Women", the results were... devastating. The first page of results in google were about murdered Black pregnant women, teen mothers, Black mothers dying during childbirth and other atrocities. I took that as a sign from the Almighty Father, Himself that there needed to be another voice.
So, this blog is dedicated to women, ALL women, who desire to be Earthy Mamas. The women who may not have known about the alternatives, which, really should NOT be alternatives at all, but the norm and the standard. But, this blog is especially dedicated to those women who may feel they do not have a voice in what they do with their bodies and babies because of pressure from doctors, government, family or whomever else. This is for you. I pray to have all sorts of info and resources for you all to learn and make informed choices. I'll tell you about my experiences and those of others. Ask me questions and I'll try to get as well-rounded an answer as possible.
Be peaceful and productive!
Earthy Mama
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