Melanin Mamas: Black Mothers Guide to Health

Are midwives good for black communities?

Nikki Knowles joins us in this episode. Nikki is a Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife in Dallas, TX. Nikki works in a midwife group where she serves families during prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum. This week we talk about why more black mothers may want to look into having midwives. 

In this episode we talk about:

4:05: What exactly is a midwife?

5:27: How would having a midwife be different from having a typical OB/GYN?

14:32: How many births would you say you attend in a year?

18:22: How long have you been working as a midwife?

25:13: How are midwives beneficial to pregnant African American mothers (statistics if you have any)?

32:47: So you’re in the Dallas area, how can mamas who aren’t in the area find legitimate licensed and certified midwives?

Connect with Nikki:

Dallas Birth - https://dallasbirth.com/

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

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

Okay you have a baby. What next???

Christal joins us this week as we talk about what happens after you have a baby. Christal is a wife, mom, nurse and business owner. She inspires and encourages moms to put themselves first through self care practices and products that she created. This episode we talk about the 4th trimester and what mamas need after they deliver their baby.

Listen to this episode for some really good tips for the 4th trimester!

In this episode we talk about:

3:31: What motivated Christal to create her wonderful brand of products, Self Care rx?
7:03: What is the fourth trimester?
8:13: What role does self care have in the fourth trimester?
12:03: What are the most important things to have present during the fourth trimester?
20:01: What will Christal do differently this pregnancy?

Connect with Christal:

Self Care RX -  https://myselfcarerx.com/collections/all

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

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Fit Nurse Academy - https://fitnurseacademy.com/explore/

Tara Hux - https://www.instagram.com/tara.hux/?hl=en

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

Are doulas saving black mamas lives?

Imani joins us this week. Imani is a certified doula and works in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 20 years’ experience, she provides support to mothers and their family not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. As a mother of 7 she understands firsthand what it takes to parent and that is what led her to creating her own natural product line. This week’s episode we talk about how beneficial doulas are to African American community.

Listen to find out why YOU should get a doula!

In this episode we talk about:

0:53: How has provident doula services changed since COVID?

17:15: How can mothers find doulas in their area?

Connect with Imani: 

Doula Services - https://calmlaborassistance.com/

Rawdah Natural Products - https://rawdahnatural.com/

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

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Birthing Beautiful Communities - https://www.birthingbeautiful.org/

Doula Match - https://doulamatch.net/

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

Are doulas saving black mamas lives?

Imani joins us this week. Imani is a certified doula and works in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 20 years’ experience, she provides support to mothers and their family not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. As a mother of 7 she understands firsthand what it takes to parent and that is what led her to creating her own natural product line. This week’s episode we talk about how beneficial doulas are to African American community.

Listen to find out why YOU should get a doula!

In this episode we talk about:

2:03: What exactly is a doula?

3:33: What made you decide to become a doula?

26:35: What are the benefits of having a doula (statistics if you have any)?

31:01: How can African American Mothers specifically benefit from having doulas?

Connect with Imani: 

Doula Services - https://calmlaborassistance.com/

Rawdah Natural Products - https://rawdahnatural.com/

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

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Birthing Beautiful Communities - https://www.birthingbeautiful.org/

Doula Match - https://doulamatch.net/

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

This week we’re exposing the best kept secrets about pregnancy!

This week Alexa joins us! Alexa is a wife and mom of two girls, and the creator of Gianna Laurenne, a community for Boss Moms. She loves all things mom and to provide insight and advice about motherhood and breastfeeding journeys. Her guilty pleasures include shopping online, spending time with family, watching ratchet TV and eating sweets! 

Come join in some of the tea this week!

In this episode we talk about:

3:40: Your skin can darken.

4:57: Morning sickness is ALL day sickness.

9:07: Your libido can change.

9:38: You can’t lay on your back.

10:56: If your feet are swollen you can try compression socks.

11:55: Your OBGYN may not deliver you.
13:22: Your boobs hurt so badly.

14:20: There’s more things you can’t eat than just seafood.

17:23: You may miss being pregnant after.

19:45: You get SUPER gassy!

20:25: You may start peeing when you laugh or sneeze.

21:24: You may HATE the smells of things you use to love.

22:55: Pregnancy can hurt sometimes.

27:00: Alexa tells us ALL about Gianna Laurenne and Breastfeeding like a BOSS!

Connect with Alexa:

Breastfeeding like a BOSS - https://giannalaurenne.com/product/breastfeeding-like-a-boss-2/

Alexa’s Blog - https://giannalaurenne.com/


Resources mentioned:
Ovia app - https://www.oviahealth.com/apps

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

Taking that booty from postpartum flat to Baby got Back! 

We are joined by Tara Hux this week. She is a Registered Nurse and a personal trainer. Tara can help you heal and teach you how to be fit at the same time! Tara has her own business teaching nurses how to be healthy and fit; Fit Nurse Academy and has recently launched her tell how Nurse’s Nutrition Fix.  This episode she tells us how to get back active after having a baby and how breastfeeding ties into fat loss. 

You don't want to miss this tell all, top tips episode!

In this episode we talk about: 

4:37: What can you tell mothers who are trying to get their body back after the baby?

8:09:  Why is it so hard to get back to our pre pregnancy body?

10:28: What tips would you give moms struggling to start their weight loss journey?

15:27: What is the connection between breastfeeding and weight loss?

23:25: What is the African American Mothers relationship with weight loss after baby?

Connect with Tara: 

Nurse’s Nutrition Fit Fix - https://fitnurseacademy.com/nurses-nutrition-fix/

Fit Nurse Academy - http://www.fitnurseacademy.com/

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

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram

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

This week we continue with Genie Dawkins as we discuss 10 GREAT tips to be a successful BLACK parent today!

Genie Dawkins is a single mother of four (two grown and two school-aged) and has over 25 years of being a parent advocate of special needs children. Additionally, she is an international speaker, best-selling author, Host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, and parent confidence strategist. Genie’s mission is to help parents achieve a balanced life and overcome inevitable challenges both at school and home in a way that empowers parents and children.

In this episode we talk about:

1: 11: When your child is speaking, stop and listen attentively

4:41: Don’t live vicariously through your child

10:08: Support their interests but do not get attached

14:34: It’s ok to tell your child to thrive in failure

19:08: Use the 3 chance bully rule

24:25: Acknowledging your child may need mental health support

30:46: Know what the specialist and teachers in your child's life actually do

Connect with Genie

The Parenting Cipher Podcast- https://www.theparentingcipher.com/

Planner- http://bit.ly/melaninmama 
*Don't forget to use our discount code “MELANINMOM” to save some coins!*

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

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Raising Confident Black Kids: A Comprehensive Guide for Empowering Parents and Teachers of Black Children by M.J. Fievre
https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Confident-Black-Kids-Comprehensive/dp/1642505587

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

This week we are joined by Genie Dawkins as we discuss 10 GREAT tips to be a successful BLACK parent today!

Genie Dawkins is a single mother of four (two grown and two school-aged) and has over 25 years of being a parent advocate of special needs children. Additionally, she is an international speaker, best-selling author, Host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, and parent confidence strategist. Genie’s mission is to help parents achieve a balanced life and overcome inevitable challenges both at school and home in a way that empowers parents and children.

In this episode we talk about:

1:37: Practicing inclusive parenting

7:33: Having the race conversation at different stages in their life

28:51: How screen time can also be quality time for the family

Connect with Genie

The Parenting Cipher Podcast- https://www.theparentingcipher.com/

Planner- http://bit.ly/melaninmama 
*Don't forget to use our discount code “MELANINMOM” to save some coins!*

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

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Raising Confident Black Kids: A Comprehensive Guide for Empowering Parents and Teachers of Black Children by M.J. Fievre 
https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Confident-Black-Kids-Comprehensive/dp/1642505587

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

This week we cover the importance of addressing mental health with BLACK mothers! 

We are joined by Mecca East. Mecca is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Imani Wellness Inc., a holistic health and wellness brand committed to improving health outcomes of the community in which she serves through education, nutrition, and stress management. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Salaam Clinic, a free clinic located in Cleveland, OH. Mecca is committed to uplifting her community by empowering individuals and families to embrace nutrition, exercise, and engagement in healthy behaviors, a natural part of their daily lifestyles.

In this episode we talk about: 

1:24: What is so unique about the mental health experience of African American Mothers?

3:20: The strong black woman

5:30: What can we do as African American Mothers to ease the guilt we feel when we do decide to reach out for help?

9:55: What are some signs that you’re having mental health issues?

15:22: The taboo of mental health in African Americans

18:23: Self care is essential

21:13: What can we do to raise more awareness of mental health in the African American community?

24:40: Resources for those suffering from mental health issues.

27:48: Getting the RIGHT mental health care provider.

29:47: Childhood Trauma

31:22: Guilt of seeking out blackness in others

33:15: What is Mecca working on right now

35:28: 9 dimensions of mental health

Connect with Mecca East

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/imani.wellness/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Step by Step Family Services https://stepbystepohio.com/

Meal Train https://www.mealtrain.com/

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

Introducing Melanin Mamas and Maqsoodah, the host of Melanin Mamas. A brief discussion on why black mother's health needs to be covered. Some episode topics to come and more!