49. Airman Brawnlyn Talks Infertility Challenges and Working with the Air Force to Create Change, How Medical Racism Impacts Maternity Care, Accidental Homebirth following a Precipitous Labor, and the Importance of Self-Advocacy

Brawnlyn is Active Duty serving in the Air Force. Prior to the birth of her daughter, Brawnlyn and her husband battled infertility, an experience which led her to begin working with the Air Force’s Women's Initiatives Team to improve infertility care and options for service members. When she got pregnant with her daughter, despite having a hospital 6 minutes down the street from her, she was required to be seen at the military hospital which was an hour away. She ultimately ended up having an accidental homebirth, due to a precipitous labor. She also highlights some of things that stood out to her about her overall experience, including the anxieties that were present for her around systemic medical racism, the positive experience she had with support she received from her unit and underscores the importance of self-advocacy and comprehensive maternal care while serving in the military.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8