Birthright

RESTORATION: Healing Black Birth Trauma 

Birthright is about joy and healing in Black birth. In this special episode, we heal. Listen in to our live virtual event and special season finale where two Black moms, one who experienced disrespect and harm in her birth and another who lost her baby after a premature delivery, sit with a therapist and a healer to begin their restorative process. 

Guests:

• Nneka Symster is a licensed Social worker who has two decades of experience helping individuals and families build and strengthen their relationships with themselves and others. Her work includes supporting diverse populations, including self -harming young adults and the LGBTQIA community. She also specializes in helping women and couples who suffer with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, miscarriage and loss. In her work, she uses multiple techniques to best serve her clients, including Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, interpersonal therapy and mindfulness. Ms. Symister received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Urban Education from the State University of Albany. She is also EMDR trained. She is deeply involved in her community serving as member of state and national professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Links, Incorporated. Nneka Symister is the founder of My Local Therapist, LLC (@nneka_symister) where she provides mental health services in New York.
• Amissa Brewer-Hofmann, MPH, is a medical student who will be applying to radiology residency this fall. Amissa Brewer-Hofmann is a combined medical and public health masters student at Columbia University. She enjoys reading, pilates, warm weather, and a good picnic. Academically, she has an interest in radiology and wants to improve health outcomes for minoritized infants and birthing folks. Amissa lives in Washington Heights, Manhattan with her husband and 3-month old son, Henry.
• Jeneá Harper is a Child Protective Investigator for the Department of Youth, Children and Families in Rhode Island. Jeneá was born and raised in Providence, RI and graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families in and out of her community. Jeneá uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to ensure the youth she works with are safe and their families are receiving any resources needed to be successful. Jeneá is inspired and motivated daily by her husband and 2 year old son. Jeneá’s philosophy is in the infamous African proverb “Oran a azu nwa” , it takes a community or village to raise a child. 
• Mystique Hargrove, Instagram: @blackbirthhealer, Facebook: The Black Birth Healer

Resources/References

• Learn more about Nneka Symister at her Website Mylocaltherapist.org
• Watch episode extras on BIRTHRIGHT’S YOUTUBE PAGE!
• Interested in having a doula for your pregnancy, birth or post-partum period? Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Interested in a home birth? Learn more at...
  

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Compilation of insights from our host, Kimberly Seals Allers and guests

Resources/References

• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers 

Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Birthing Person: Carla Williams, MD

Other Guests: Kiki Jordan, Midwife

Episode Description (short/two sentences)

What happens when a medical insider opts to give birth outside the hospital? For one, we should all pay attention. In this week’s episode, Dr. Carla Williams, a Black Latina OBGYN in New York, shares why she had her first birth at the hospital and never went back for baby number two, and as we spoke days before she was about to give birth to her third child, she was preparing for another home birth. Many people think home births are for the “crunchy granola” crowd but more and more mainstream mamas, including corporate types and even medical professionals have seen the in-hospital experience and choose to find their joy at home. Dr. Williams also shares tips for those considering a home birth and advice to her OB/GYN colleagues on what they can do to improve the birthing experience for Black people.    

Resources/References

• Our Birth Story: Carla Williams, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and holistic women’s healthcare provider serving patients in Westchester, NY. She attended medical school in the Dominican Republic and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in Bronx, New York. She offers patient-centered care with a dual approach: a focus on nutrition and movement for overall wellness coupled with conventional medical practices as necessary. She is a married mother of two who has personally experienced birth in both the hospital and in-home setting. She’s currently expecting her third child and preparing for her second home birth. , IG handle: @drcarlawilliams
• Learn more about Kiki Jordan and Birthland midwifery at https://www.birthlandmidwifery.com
• Watch episode extras on BIRTHRIGHT’S YOUTUBE PAGE!
• Interested in having a doula for your pregnancy, birth or post-partum period? Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Interested in a home birth? Learn more at The Black Home Birth Initiative
• Considering a doula for your pregnancy, birth or post-partum period? Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Catch up on the full season. 
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers

Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who: Kimberly Seals Allers Birth story

Alma Seals, Kimberly’s mother

Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens

Dr. Neel Shah 

Episode Description (short/two sentences):

On this special episode, Kimberly Seals Allers interviews her mother to hear her own birth story, discusses the history of medical interventions, the role of feminist movements and the power of our matrilineal birthing line. Special guests, historian Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens and Harvard professor, Dr. Neel Shah, add powerful context to the birth practices in the early 1970’s and how the legacy of enslaved Black women still impacts birth outcomes today. 

Resources/References

• Read more about the history of forceps in this article by our guest, Neel Shah, MD, MPP  How forceps permanently changed the way humans are born 
• Learn more about Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens and her work on her website, https://www.deirdrecooperowens.com
• Purchase Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens’ Book Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology
• Click to watch episode extras on BIRTHRIGHT’S YOUTUBE PAGE!
• Interested in having a doula for your pregnancy, birth or post-partum period? Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Learn more about home births The Black Home Birth Initiative
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers

Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who: Allegra White

Keith White, Husband

Kalle White, Daughter

Episode Description 

In our episode today, our guest Allegra, a Doula and mother of 5, was so determined to not be at the hospital for long she ended up delivering her baby girl in the front seat of her car, with her husband and 11-year old daughter on assist. In addition to sharing this particular birthing experience, we reminisce on her four beautiful births, including twin girls, giving birth the first time at 19 years old, and all the birthing knowledge she has accumulated along the way. For Allegra, knowledge of her body and the birthing process was her pathway to joy. 

Resources/References

• Bio: Allegra White is a doula, wife and mother of five girls. After starting her family at the age of 19 and facing many challenges, she decided that all women should have the opportunity to journey into motherhood with a full range of support. Her company, “Milf-Made”, began as a desire to pay forward her experience by helping pregnant women feel like their best selves through advocacy, information and service. She describes herself as a compassionate, truthful, Caribbean- raised but Brooklyn-made, heart on her sleeve type of gal. Allegra is currently accepting applications for on-call hairdressers for her household of growing women.
• She is the founder of Milf-made. Follow on Instagram @awhitemom
• Interested in having a doula for your pregnancy, birth or post-partum period? Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Learn more about home births The Black Home Birth Initiative
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers 

Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giving birth to twins during the pandemic can be stressful enough. And too many Black women feel like they do not have meaningful relationships with their OB/GYN. So when Folashade Butler, of the metro Washington D.C. area, found herself delivering her twins earlier than expected and in less than ideal circumstances, she found comfort and felt more confident mostly because of one thing--her relationship with her doctor. And it was her OB/GYN, who helped her birthing video go viral. Listen to find out why! 

Episode Description: My guests today are Folashade A. Butler, a woman in tech, speaker and mom of four, her husband Brandon, and Dr. Lynne Lightfoote, MD FACOG, a physician with Foxhall OB/GYN, whose response to Folashade’s birth caught everyone’s attention. Before her viral post-delivery moment, Folashade shares what it was like receiving prenatal care of twins during the pandemic, how she responded to her water breaking just as she was about to enter a restaurant and why she ended up delivering in an operating room. You’ll also learn about the special candle that Folashade brings to every birth and why. 

Resources/References

• Folashade A. Butler is a wife and mom to four beautiful kids, including 7-month old twins! She is a speaker, relationship coach, woman in tech, and owner of Love & Livelihood, a community and podcast dedicated to helping people effectively navigate the intersection of love, life, and everything in between. Listen to Folashade’s Podcast Love and Livelihood.
• Meet Dr. Lynne J. Lightfoote, a Board Certified OBGYN and Champion for Women's Health. She completed her undergraduate studies from Wellesley College. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Virginia and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lightfoote is board certified by The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She's currently a partner at Foxhall OB/GYN and Associates. Dr. Lightfoote’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of obstetrics and gynecology. Her goal is to provide personalized care from adolescence, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and beyond. 
• If you’re looking to build a relationship with your Ob/GYN or need help finding a good one, check out these suggestions. 
• Don’t forget to check out the Irth app, in your Google Play and Apple app stores, to search for Ob/GYN, hospital and pediatrician reviews from other Black and brown parents, as a tool to guide your provider selection process. Go to your community for referrals. Leave reviews to help others.
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People  
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on

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Black birthing needs healing. Too many Black women and birthing individuals are left holding trauma and unresolved hurt due to the mistreatment, dismissiveness, or disrespect they endured during the childbirth experience. It’s time to model healing journeys for those carrying birth trauma, so we can all find joy! In our first Birthright Live episode, I sit down with two Black mamas who are holding trauma and a psychotherapist, specializing in birth-related disorders and anxieties, for an unforgettable journey to restore and heal from their traumatic birthing experiences. The episode features tips for everyone to start their own healing journey and reminds us that watching others heal can be healing for all. 

Who: Sasha Winslow, MS, FNP-BC, RNC-MNN, @sashalovesbooks

Alisha Liggett, MD, Founder of Empower Her Health @happyhealthydoctoralisha

Nneka Symister, LCSW, @Nneka_symister

Resources/References

• Watch the full live episode, filmed in part in NYC, on the Birthright Podcast YouTube page. 
• Learn more about Nneka Symister at her Website Mylocaltherapist.org
• Read Alisha’s Story ‘The day I was reduced to a Black birthing body.’ A doctor reflects on pregnancy
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers 

Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who: Angela Lewis, Mother, Actress, Activist

Erica McAfee, Founder of Sisters in Loss

Episode Description (short/two sentences)

There can be joy even after disappointment, shame and loss. It often requires the right perspective and a supportive birthing team that still honors your vision even when plans change. This week, actress Angela Lewis, a star of FX’s SnowFall, shares her birth story including how prior miscarriages shaped her experience. Our special guest, Erica McAfee, founder of Sisters in Loss, shares the facts about miscarriages and why we are so bad at processing pregnancy loss as a society/as a people. In the end, Angela’s birth culminates with a moment of true star power. 

Resources/References

• Watch Angela Lewis as #AuntLouie on #SnowfallFX. Follow along on IG @luvangelalewis & @snowfallfx
• Learn more about Erica M. Mcafee https://www.ericammcafee.com 
• Sisters in Loss a digital media platform where Black Women replace Silence with Storytelling around Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Infertility.
• Natural Birth Center  Midwives in LA; Doula, Nina Phelan of The Soulful Birth 
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People 

Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who: Anna Malaika Tubbs, author of The Three Mothers, First Partner of Stockton, CA

Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton, CA

Mika Cade, Doula

Episode Description 

Anna who has lived in four countries, is a PhD candidate at Cambridge University and served as First Partner for the city of Stockton, CA. but when it came to pregnancy and childbirth, Anna went looking for a community of support. How do three doulas, three mothers and all the ancestors come into play? In this episode you’ll hear Anna’s powerful birth story and how she tapped into power she didn’t know she had to deliver her son Malakai. Not only was giving birth her entré into motherhood but it was also a pivotal turning point in Anna’s scholarship and the inspiration for her first book, The Three Mothers. Turns out, we can learn a lot about having a positive birth experience from three doulas, the three mothers and learning from our ancestors. Listen to learn! And then check out the video of Kimberly’s full interview with Anna about her new book where they discuss the dehumanization of Black mothers, and why positivity is such a powerful force in narrative change. 

Resources/References

• Learn more about Anna Malaika Tubbs’ work https://annamalaikatubbs.com 
• Purchase The Three Mothers book here: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/three-mothers/
• Follow Anna Malaika Tubbs @annastea_honesty, Mika Cade @doulamika & Michael Tubbs @michaeldtubbs
• Resources for finding Black Doulas: National Black Doulas Association & The Bridge
• Follow and learn: @ancientsong @mamaglow #BlackDoulas 
• Learn more about having a safe and empowered birth by downloading the free ebook: Birth with Irth: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People
• Get full episode details and transcripts (posted by midday) on www.BirthrightPodcast.com 
• New episodes are released every other Wednesday! Subscribe now!  
• Follow Kimberly Seals Allers on Twitter on Instagram: @iamKSealsAllers 
• Birthright is funded by the California Health Care Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.