15. Sharing Our Birth Stories + What We Learned From Them | Black Maternal Health

You know we love to keep it light and fun on this show, but this episode is definitely a heavier topic. We are talking about Black maternal health in the U.S., as well as sharing our birth stories with each of our two children. Both of us had difficult and traumatic births, but we learned so much from these experiences that we want to pass on to our listeners. Even if you’re done having kids, there may be some parts of our stories that resonate with you and make you feel less alone. Some key takeaways from this episode include: According to the CDC, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. in 2021 was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. Among Black women, the maternal mortality rate is 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.  The goal of sharing our birth stories is not to scare anyone (especially first time moms!), but to educate people and let them know what can happen in labor and delivery and how to advocate for themselves. It’s so important to have someone on your birth team that is going to advocate for you. Whether that’s your OB, a midwife, or a doula, get to know your options and choose someone you trust who will show up for you. Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood! Connect with Us!:  Podcast Instagram YouTube Charlitta’s Instagram Helen’s Instagram