This week we are going heavy! Sickle cell trait is an inherited blood disorder that affects 1 million to 3 million Americans and 8 to 10 percent of African Americans. 

Today we’re talking to Elle Cole. Elle is a recipient of a Bronze Congressional Award and has been featured on NPR, ABC 7, BBC World Service Radio, and a guest on many podcasts. She is a writer, motivational speaker, and social media strategist. CleverlyChanging.com and the Cleverly Changing podcast are a go-to resource on health, wellness, finances, and parenting. She is also a passionate storyteller. Elle is also the mother of 2 beautiful twin daughters. One of whom has sickle cell anemia. Join us this week as she takes us on her journey as a mother to a daughter with sickle cell anemia.

In this episode we talk about: 

1:25: What is Elle’s background?

2:40: What was your experience when you found out your daughter had sickle cell anemia?

8:57: Do you think knowing that you had the trait before you got pregnant would’ve been helpful?

11:07: How has it been having a child in and out of the hospital because of sickle cell anemia?

14:36: Did you experience any racism during your daughters treatments?

25:00: What kind of advice would you give to  other parents who have children with sickle anemia or chronic illnesses?

30:33: What do you think is missing in the care of people with sickle cell anemia?

37:25: Resources for parents with children diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia

Connect with Elle Cole:

A Sickle Cell Coloring book for Kids - https://cleverlychanging.com/product/the-sickle-cell-coloring-book-for-kids/

Homeschool Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cleverly-changing-podcast/id1451305011

Cleverly Changing Blog - Cleverlychanging.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cleverlychanging/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Hope & Destiny: The Patient and Parent’s Guide to Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Destiny-Patient-Parents-Disease/dp/0984144706

Super Cells - https://www.amazon.com/Super-Cells-Princess-Walls/dp/0578546086

Be The Match - https://bethematch.org/

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/melaninmamaspodcast/?hl=en

Why is it so hard to hold your urine when pregnant and after you have a baby?

Jemila is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy. In addition, she is a pre/postnatal fitness coach and singer/songwriter. Jemila joins us to talk about pelvic floor training and how it is effecting our everyday lives. She also gives us some great tips on strengthening that pelvic floor back up.

In this episode we talk about:

What does pelvic floor training do for the pregnant woman?

What about after the baby is born?

What are some signs that a mama needs to strengthen her pelvic floor?

How does having multiple babies effect our pelvic floor?

Diastasis Recti.

Uterine prolapse.

Some tips on strengthening that pelvic floor.

SHOP OUR MELANIN MAMAS APPAREL NOW!

Connect with Jemila

https://jemilamedley.com

FOLLOW JEMILA!

INSTAGRAM: @JEMILAMEDLEY

Check us out on Instagram: @_MELANINMAMAS
Check us out on Tik Tok: @MELANINMAMAS

Is Flint the only city that has to worry about lead poisoning?

Moné is a public health professional with 18 yrs of experience in food safety and lead safe living/ lead poisoning prevention.  She's a Licensed Public Health Sanitarian (Inspector), licensed Risk Assessor and a registered Public Health Lead Investigator with the State of Ohio. Moné joins us to talk about lead poisoning and how its effecting our black children.

If you live in a house built after 1978, this episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

What are some signs and symptoms of lead poisoning?

What kind of screening is typically done?

What factors increase your child's risk of having lead poisoning?

Why are African Americans being affected with lead poisoning at such high rates?

What can a parent do when they find out their child has lead poisoning?

Some tips on identifying lead inside the home.

What resources are available?

SHOP OUR MELANIN MAMAS APPAREL NOW!

Check out with Moné 's business for all of your lead inspecting needs!

A&M Lead Clearance Partners, LLC
PHONE: 216 394 7616
EMAIL: [email protected]

Check us out on Instagram: @_MELANINMAMAS

Why can't black mothers get pregnant?

Ana is a Latinx psychotherapist in Philadelphia specializing maternal mental health, including Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, and Fertility Challenges. She also currently runs a virtual Fertility Challenges support group. Ana joins us to talk about mental health surrounding fertility challenges in the African American Community.

If you or someone you know has/had fertility challenges, this episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

How common are fertility issues?

What are some things you’ve heard moms experiencing fertility challenges say?

How can family and friends support families going through fertility challenges?

What is unique about fertility challenges within African American culture?

If there was a woman suffering from fertility issues listening right now what would you say to her?

SHOP OUR MELANIN MAMAS APPAREL NOW!

Connect with Whole Heart Maternal Mental Health

www.wholeheartmaternalmentalhealth.com

FOLLOW WHOLE HEART MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH!

INSTAGRAM: @WHOLEHEART_PSYCHOTHERAPY

Click here to check us out on Instagram

Why don't providers listen to us as black mothers???

Dr. Anamelchi is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, Mom of Two and owner of Childrens Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in NE DC and New Carollton, MD. She is dedicated to providing oral health partnership with families from the womb to college. Dr. Anamelchi talks to us about tongue and lip ties and what all they can effect.

If you had latch issues, a baby that refused to take a bottle or eat from the breast, or was told to supplement with formula, this episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

What is a tongue tie or lip tie?

What can they cause?

How often are they overlooked?

Do black children have the same likelihood to be diagnosed or treated for ties as their peers?

What are the biggest warning signs that point to a lip or tongue tie?

If a mother is concerned and thinks the cause may be a lip tie or tongue tie what kind of advice would you give her?

Questions from viewers:

Are there any long term effects of having tongue and lip ties?

How can you check to see if your baby has one?

Does it have to be repaired or is it ok to leave some?

Can a baby breastfeed with one?

Connect with Dr. Anamelchi:

https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/

FOLLOW CHILDRENS CHOICE PEDIATRIC DENTIRSTRY & ORTHODONTICS!

INSTAGRAM: @CHILDRENSCHOICEDENTAL
THRIVE THERAPY: @THRIVEBYCHILDRENSCHOICE

Click here to check us out on Instagram

Why are black mamas always so triggered???

Aaliyah talks with us about therapy for black mamas. Aaliyah is a licensed psychiatric social worker (LSW), community mental health therapist, advocate, writer and speaker. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who are marginalized and silenced by creating avenues for dialogue; specifically at the intersection of race and gender. Aaliyah tells us about the stigma attached with therapy and what we can do to combat it! 

If you ever wondered why you're so triggered this is the episode for you!

In this episode we talk about:

What are some areas Aaliyah see African American mothers working on their mental health?

What do we still have to improve?

Why is there a stigma associated with African American mothers and therapy?

What are some ways that African American mothers specifically could benefit from therapy?

Are there any self guided modes of therapy black mothers can use?

What is Aaliyah working on right now?


Connect with Aaliyah:

https://www.aaliyahnurideen.com

FOLLOW AALIYAH!

INSTAGRAM: @AALIYAHNURIDEEN

Click here to check us out on Instagram

Why aren’t black marriages lasting?

Catherine chats with us about black marriages. Catherine is a marriage and family therapist in the New Orleans area. Her goal as a therapist is to help others on their journey toward finding clarity and peace during stressful times. Catherine gives us the top 7 tips that every black couple can practice. These are some real relationship improving tips.

Listen to this episode to find out what 7 things black couples need to practice to improve their relationships.

In this episode we talk about:

Setting Boundaries
Communicating Effectively
Expectations
Making Time
Self-Care



Connect with Catharine:

Therapist Services https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/catharine-swain-new-orleans-la/344943

FOLLOW CATHARINE!

INSTAGRAM: @CATTHETHERAPIST


Resources Mentioned:

Psychology Today
Find a Black Therapist In Your Area!


Click here to check us out on Instagram

Ramadan is here again and we still don't know what to eat!

Ericka joins us this week. Ericka is a nutritionist and health coach specializing in reproductive health. She teaches women how to align to their natural flow for improved fertility, periods, and pregnancy. This episode we talk about tips on what to eat when fasting in Ramadan.

In this episode we answer these questions:

What should everyone who's fasting make sure they eat or drink at night when they can (a certain amount of carbs, calories, protein, etc)?

What are some super foods that are great for moms that are fasting?

Any type of supplements that could be beneficial while fasting?

What about for the mamas that want to workout? What should they make sure is a part of their diet?

What about us breastfeeding moms, what do you recommend for those of us that want to fast (taking breaks, making sure you eat what specifically, fasting not everyday, etc)?

Specifically for black mamas what do you think are some tips that can make fasting in ramadan a healthier experience all around?

What is Ericka working on right now?

Connect with Ericka:

https://mooncatching.com/

Check out Ericka's great fertility workshop here.
Her 1:1 nutrition counseling here.
And her cooking classes here.

FOLLOW ERICKA!

INSTAGRAM: @MOONCATCHING

Click here to check us out on Instagram

One of the late Afua Hassan's last interview!

Afua Hassan joins us this episode as we explore birth centers.  Afua was a licensed midwife and the owner of The Birthing Place, a birth center located in the Houston Texas area. On April 4, 202`1 Afua transitioned after fighting with lymphoma. We talked about birth centers and what they do for black mamas. 

Listen to this episode to find out what the late Afua Hassan had to say on birth centers.

In this episode we talk about:

1:35: What made Afua open The Birthing Place?
7:22: The differences between birthing in a birth center and a hospital.
13:04: Red flags in your perinatal care.
18:24: What is the process like when going for care at The Birthing Place?
21:26: How unaddressed mental health issues can affect the birthing process.
27:22: Accountability of black mothers, and why we need to ALWAYS play an active role in our care.
31:02: How much is prenatal care and delivery at The Birthing Place?
34:23: How are African Americans health outcomes different in a birth center and how can it be more beneficial for them?
37:18:What would Afua say to someone who was on the fence about delivering at a birth center?
41:21: What new thing was Afua working on?

Donate to help open Simply Nourish Grocery Store, a grocery store that will be opened to eliminate a food desert in the Houston, Texas area.
https://www.simplynourishmarket.com/donate

Connect with Afua:

The Birthing Place - https://birthingplacemidwifehoustonnaturalhomewaterbirthservicesnearme.com/

Simply Nourish Grocery Store - https://www.simplynourishmarket.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thebirthingplace/?hl=en

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

 https://www.instagram.com/melaninmamaspodcast/?hl=en

With the current trial of the murder of George Floyd, this conversation HAD to be had!

Dr. Jennifer Lincoln joins us this week. Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC, is a board-certified OB/GYN working as an OB Hospitalist in Portland, Oregon. This episode we talk about what white  allies are and how the murder of George Floyd changed things for them.

In this episode we talk about:

1:50: Who is Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

6:18: The allies job

10:25: Not educating whites on racial biases

16:09: Deciding when to address racially charged statements

19:02: White allies voices are heard more than black mamas voices

28:48: How IBCLCs contribute to lower black mamas breastfeeding rates 

35:58: How racism is leading to higher C-section rates for black mamas

40:14: The paradox of the angry black woman

44:53: Checking racial biases before entering the patient's room

47:39: What allies can do the most to support black mamas

53:42: What is Dr. Jennifer Lincoln working on now?

Connect with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln:

https://www.drjenniferlincoln.com/

Dr. Jennifer Lincoln’s not yet released book:
Let's Talk About Down There: An OB-GYN Answers All Your Burning Questions…without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking
Her book will be released on September 14, 2021, but you can pre-order now. 
Click the link above!

FOLLOW DR. LINCOLN!

INSTAGRAM: @DRJENNIFERLINCOLN

TIKTOK: @DRJENNIFERLINCOLN

YOUTUBE: DR. JENNIFER LINCOLN

Click here to check us out on Instagram