There's a Brown Girl in the Ring...

When I thought of doing the Brown Mama Circle, I knew I wanted to amplify the voices of Black and Brown women. I also knew that as a midwife, black woman; and in fact a human being. I would be likely to hear things that would make me feel uncomfortable, challenge me and invoke feelings of empathy because the care or experiences were not always positive.

On this instalment of the Brown Mama Circle, Sabrina; a hypnobirthing practitioner, discusses how her third birth which was intended to be at home took a turn that she wasn't expecting, and how she adjusted to the events that occurred despite her plans. Sabrina also touches on how seemingly small comments from staff effected her experience.

Sabrina as a hypnobirthing therapist, specialises in supporting mothers and families prepare for birth and parenthood. So what impact does it have when your own experience is less than what you may have hoped it would be. How does it feel when you are familiar with the birth environment and "expect" your birth to go a particular way, but it doesn't.

Have a listen with open ear and an open heart x

WELCOME BACK!!

We've had a few weeks break and we're back again with another great episode of the podcast. If you've just joined us, why not go back and listen to season 1, wet your apetite and then listen to this, the start of season 2.

This episode I speak with Consultant Obstetrician Florence `Wilcock. We talk about a range of things that are very important to maternity care for Black and Brown women in the UK. I couldn't even think of a title, but what I will say is that Florence is an Ally. Thats why I've called this episode 'All allies matter"

Have a listen x 

Theres a Brown Girl in the ring...

When I thought of doing The Brown Mama circle, I knew I wanted to amplify the voices of Black and Brown women. I also knew that as a midwife, black woman; and in fact a human being, I would more than likely hear things that would make me feel uncomfortable, challenge me and invoke feelings of empathy because care and experiences were not always positive. 

On this instalment of the Brown Mama Circle, Kristina speaks about so many elements of her experience that are unfortunately all too common for a lot of women, but further to that highlights how and why Black and Brown women and babies are more likely to die, have poor outcomes, and/or have a negative experience.

Some of the themes Kristina describes includes pregnancy loss; fear and anxiety; preferences and choices not being respected; poor communication; lack of empathy; feeling unable to question elements of care; feelings of lack of control over their pregnancy and birth;  not being listened to; not being believed; failure to signpost to emotional support and debriefing services and so much more that we could glean from her story.

Put yourself in her shoes... Imagine that was you, your wife, your friend, your daughter... What does hearing her story make you feel?? Now ask yourself... How can I make sure this doesn't happen to me, my loved one or someone in my care?

We've had a short hiatus with no episode posted last week... But We're BACK!!!

Today we speak with Angeline who is pregnant with her first child and is due to have hr baby any day now. We spoke about her experience with having a Doula and how this has helped her to start making the transition towards motherhood. We discussed all things cultural including navigating being British with Caribbean influence from family as well as incorporating elements of her partners Eritrean cultire.

Thank you for listening, I truly hope you are able to take nuggets from each of these podcast episodes, I'd love to hear what you think!!

Hit me up on:

Instagram or Facebook: brownmamabrownme

OR Twitter : Brownmamapod

Welcome Back to another episode of Brown Mama Circle

It has been so humbling to listen to Black and Brown women share their experiences of pregnancy and birth. We can never fully appreciate how care received; or lack thereof can, and does impact women in so many levels. 

What particularly struck me in listening to Kat's experience is that for many midwives and birth workers, what she described is a regular occurrence and can seem somewhat "normal". However if we just take the time to just see things from that woman's perspective we may realise that it was traumatic. Mental and emotional adjustment to birth and motherhood is often overlooked. Black and Brown women have higher levels of poor mental health but are less likely to be signposted to, referred for and/or access support services as a result of a traumatic birth experience.

Take a moment to listen to Kat's story...

"Theres a Brown Girl in the Ring"

During pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally, women generally have the most contact with midwives. Midwives are blessed to be the people who provide physical, mental, and emotional support to women and families at all stages of their pregnancy and birth journey.... On this weeks episode we talk with three amazing midwives who give their views on how eduction, professional progression and advocacy can impact the issue of racial inequalities in maternity care.

Paula Cummins; previously a Birth centre Lead in a London hospital; now has a role as a midwifery lecturer. She is passionate about diversity in midwifery leadership and is working to highlight inequalities for BAME women and staff to midwifery students.

Alicia Burnett; a qualified children's nurse and now 3rd year midwifery student through her work as the co-editor of The Student Midwife Journal has been shedding light on the facts related to maternal mortality and using her platform to inspire other student midwives to take action also.

Fayette Forbes worked for many years as a Maternity Support Worker and went on to begin and complete her midwifery training. Having recently secured her role as a newly qualified midwife she is continuing on her pathway to provide excellent maternity care to all women and advocating for BAME women.

Join the conversation... I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments

Follow "The Brown Mama Brown Me Podcast" on Instagram and Facebook.

The Brown Mama's circle... I wanted to develop a space where women felt comfortable and enough to share their story when many once felt as that couldn't; and wouldn't ever have been listened to even if they did... The circle represents never ending solidarity; and signifies emotional and spiritual support

Today we listen to Lexy share elements of her story.

"There's a Brown girl in the ring..."

This week we rewind time and look at some of the historical aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology; and how this might have given rise to some of the ideologies within racial inequality. I also spoke with Midwife and colleague Heidi Downes who wrote a passionate article which she had published. She then took it one step further and started a petition to have the names and stories of the black slaves used for obstetric and gynaecology surgical procedures, honoured and introduced in midwifery education.

Lets look back, and then go forward

Reports have shown that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women are more likely to have poor outcomes and are also more likely to die during pregnancy, birth and up to six weeks of birth. The Brown Mama Brown Me Podcast seeks to shed light on this topic.

So many times the voice of the Black and brown women have not been heard. BAME women have felt that they have not been listened to and/or believed. So here at Brown Mama Brown Me, I wanted to create a safe space for women to be listened to, heard and believed. The circle represents never ending solidarity; and it signifies emotional and spiritual support.

Listen to Francesca share her story...

"Theres a brown girl in the ring..."