**DISCLAIMER: Trigger Warning**

https://sistersinloss.com/

In this episode, we talk with Vante Gant about fatherhood as a black man. We touch on parenting through current events and the pressures of being the perfect dad as a black man. Vante touches on how it is okay to feel weak or depressed as a man and what you can do to seek help. He touches on leaving important artifacts for our children to know who we are as people and not just parents. 

Follow Vante: 

IG: dont_talkmy_way

**I planned to edit a lot of things out of this episode as to make it more presentable and decided against it, once listening to the audio multiple times. Vante was his authentic self and honest about his feelings and opinions as was I and I will not be editing this to clean up anything for ears who do not care nor are meant to hear what he is saying.

**DISCLAIMER, POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING - RACIAL SLURS** 

This episode was recorded on 12 April 2020. Prior to this recording Tiara nor myself had any inkling that the doula she and her family carefully chose as an advocate for her birth, had previously made racial slurs against black people. It came to both Tiara and my knowledge on 04 May 2020, that said doula had made an announcement that she had previously used racial slurs against black families in the years prior and has since, issued an apology and has been working on herself. As birth is such an intimate setting, home birth specifically - I felt it our duty to acknowledge this issue and make other families of color aware; as they are choosing a doula. I am passionate about informed consent and one cannot make true and genuine decisions without all the information. With women of color, black women more specifically being 2-3x more likely to die during birth or due to birth related causes - it is especially important to have all the information when choosing a birth provider. To those whom presume to be allies and yet, make disparaging remarks about women of color in your circles or the comfort of your own home and still go on to "serve" our communities - please know that you are wrong. We do not want nor do we accept those of you posing as allies in hopes of erasing the racist remarks or tendencies that embody your being. 

In this episode we will hear from Active Duty Navy sailor, wife and new first time mom Tiara Perry. Tiara discusses her pregnancy and what made her choose home birth even though Tricare (military insurance) would not cover her birth due to being active duty. I shared her beautiful birth video on our Instagram page and it has been shared on different platforms in the birth community. We discuss how we should be lifting one another up during pregnancy and birth, instead of sharing fears and how we as a community should be more open to speaking and sharing positive experiences. 

To watch Tiara's beautiful birth video or follow her on social media: 

IG: TiaraLashae.p

In this episode we chat with Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor Christine Wawira. She takes us through how seeing hypnobabies done by a friend during her labor changed Christine's life so much, that she birthed using the Hypnobabies method and believed in it's power so much that she went on to become a hypnobabies instructor. We discuss how to combat the lack of education & resources in our community by speaking up and out about informed consent/choice & how we can rally one another to provide better birthing outcomes. 

To follow Christine or take her class:

IG: ChristineWawira & hypnobabieszenbirth

This episode is sponsored by Anchor.

In this episode we will hear from Doula Shelby Irvin, she discusses a lot of the concerns mamas have surrounding the covid-19 pandemic. She gives tips and tricks on what mamas who are afraid of hospital delivery can do, as well as expectations for those mamas who may be delivering in the hospital. She discusses unassisted birth & postpartum care.  Please find links to the doula's Shelby recommended & the sources she cited: Desiree Butler https://pillowtalkofbirth.wixsite.com/pillowtalk Raven DeVaughn https://themelaninmama.com Postpartum Support International - 1(800)-944-4773 www.postpartum.net

Shelby Irvin Social Media: