16. An OB/GYN’s Perspective on Black Maternal Health With Dr. Mala Freeman-Kwaku

In the last episode, we shared our personal birth stories and how Black maternal health issues hit so close to home for us. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mala Freeman-Kwaku of Arboretum Gynecology in Charlotte, NC to share her perspective on the challenges Black women are facing in the healthcare system, what’s causing the disparities, and how we can make informed decisions about our care moving forward. Dr. Mala Freeman-Kwaku is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with twenty years of experience in obstetrics. She is a mother of four and believes in considering the whole woman when evaluating her healthcare needs. Resources mentioned: Listen to Ep. 15: Sharing Our Birth Stories | Black Maternal Health Pt. 1 All-hands-on-deck for Black maternal health by Eugene A. Woods Some key takeaways from this episode include: There is so much information available to us about pregnancy, birth, genetic information, and everything in between, but sometimes that information can incite fear and feel very overwhelming. Personalization is missing from the healthcare system, especially OB/GYN care. If you can build a relationship with your healthcare provider, they can better assess when something’s wrong and how to advocate for your needs. Your primary care physician can take care of a lot of your health needs, but having specialized doctors like a gynecologist is important as well. A gyno will give you specific care related to hormones, family planning, cancer screenings, and more. 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