After a cesarean birth, it's important to take good care of yourself. Recovery from a c-section is like healing after any major surgery, plus you're now caring for a newborn. This episode's goal is to ensure that you know how to take good care of yourself.   For show notes, and important resources I refer to in the episode, click here:    I am a currently practicing doula- labor, postpartum & childbirth education. Hire me and my team- we’re at dcmetromaternity.com [https://www.dcmetromaternity.com/].  And no matter where you are in the US, if you’re a Black woman giving birth in the hospital, I have a course [https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/] for you!  Subscribe so you can get the next episode, and we’ll talk soon!

15| Recovery After Cesarean Birth

In this episode, we fill in the gaps many have about the healing process after vaginal birth. 

Learn about the physical changes that occur in the body after birth, and the importance of giving yourself at least six weeks to rest and heal as a minimum. This episode addresses pressures to snap back and normalizes the need for more time and support during the postpartum period. Get insights into how to manage normal recovery, warning signs to get medical attention, and advice on seeking help.

 

Grab this download for a postpartum plan [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64066b73d72bad5482cade3a]! 

Get the show notes at: https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/understanding-healing-after-vaginal-birth 

In the DMV? Hire your own doula from DC Metro Maternity [https://dcmetromaternity.com/contact].

And anywhere in the US, sign up for Attain [https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/], a course designed for Black women giving birth in the hospital. 

Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher! 

14| Understanding Healing After (Vaginal) Birth

In America, it is incredibly common for new mothers to need a couple of weeks to adjust after giving birth. We call the mood swings, irritability, exhaustion and overwhelm "baby blues". This episode's goal is to give you some at home tips to soften the landing into motherhood, and help you make the transition more smooth.   You can reach Postpartum Support International here: https://www.postpartum.net/   I am a currently practicing doula- labor, postpartum & childbirth education. Hire me and my team- we’re at dcmetromaternity.com [https://www.dcmetromaternity.com/].  And no matter where you are in the US, if you’re a Black woman giving birth in the hospital, I have a course [https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/] for you!  Subscribe so you can get the next episode, and we’ll talk soon!

13| Tips to Manage Baby Blues

In this episode I’m talking about Keke Palmer and her baby daddy’s opinions on motherhood. This is the starting point for a conversation about how what Balck women and especially Black mothers deserve, and important conversations that should be a part of your postpartum plan.

 

If you want a resource that includes lots of conversations pregnant Black women should have with their partners, I have a course for you [https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/]! Attain is specifically designed for Black woman giving birth in the hospital.

I am a currently practicing doula- labor, postpartum & childbirth education. If you'd like to hire me or my team, we’re at dcmetromaternity.com [http://dcmetromaternity.com/].

Subscribe so you can get the next episode, and we’ll talk soon!

12| Keke Palmer & What Black Moms Deserve

In this episode, I'm helping prepare you for what to expect in the first few hours after birth. Don't say no one told you! 

Grab this download [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64066b73d72bad5482cade3a] for a postpartum plan! 

Get the show notes at: https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/immediatepostpartum

In the DMV? Hire your own doula from DC Metro Maternity [https://www.dcmetromaternity.com/].

And anywhere in the US, sign up for Expecting Excellence [https://expectingexcellence.carrd.co/], a 5 day guide for pregnant Black women to feel safe, empowered and ready for the joy of giving birth. 

Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher!

11| What to Expect Immediately After Giving Birth

In this episode, I have advice about getting unbiased information that you can trust. If you're going to be your own self-advocate (or even choose a good advocate) you need to know this. 

Tune in to learn: 

 * about the decision making styles I see
 * how to protect your headspace during pregnancy & parenting
 * the 3 things I use to figure out if I want to listen to pregnancy & parenting influencers (or not)

Grab this downloa [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63ffd5f03a413f2c457e65c5]d for my pre-vetted resources that I use with clients. 

Get the show notes at: https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/supportingapartner

In the DMV? Hire your own doula from DC Metro Maternity [https://www.dcmetromaternity.com].

And anywhere in the US, sign up for Expecting Excellence, a 5 day guide for pregnant Black women to feel safe, empowered and ready for the joy of giving birth.  Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher!

10| Finding "Unbiased" Information During Pregnancy (& Beyond)

This episode gets personal as I share an experience about supporting my own partner. It's made me more in tune with spouses who are watching the love of their life give birth. 

Get the show notes at: https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/supportingapartner

 

In the DMV? Hire your own doula from DC Metro Maternity.

And anywhere in the US, sign up for Expecting Excellence [https://expectingexcellence.carrd.co/], a 5 day guide for pregnant Black women to feel safe, empowered and ready for the joy of giving birth. 

Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher!

09| Supporting Your Partner Through Big Moments

In this episode, I share an epiphany I had while teaching a birth class.  When we talk about the maternal health crisis in the US, especially for Black women, we're leaving out some critical information- what birthing parents & loved ones can do! Listen to this episode for what I'm doing about it. 

 

Get the show notes at: https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/whats-missing-when-we-talk-about-black-maternal-health

 

In the DMV? Hire your own postpartum doula from DC Metro Maternity.

And anywhere in the US, sign up for Expecting Excellence [https://expectingexcellence.carrd.co/], a 5 day guide for pregnant Black women to feel safe, empowered and ready for the joy of giving birth. 

Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher!

08| What's Missing When We Talk About Black Maternal Health

When you're planning your birth, your postpartum period and how you're going to raise your baby, it can be tempting to get as many opinions possible to be sure you're doing the "right thing". I call this birthing by committee. Listen to today's podcast to hear how this can cause some problems you may not have considered, and what to do instead. 

07| Are You Birthing By Committee?

EPISODE DESCRIPTION   In the second episode of this podcast, I said that the perineum deserves it's own episode, so here it is! Tune in to learn what perineal massage is, and why some people recommend it. We also talk about what actually reduces tearing during childbirth, as well as episiotomy, and other alternatives to handling the second stage of labor (pushing). Listen for what conversations you should be having with your OB or midwife if you're pregnant.   Get the show notes at https://www.musingsofblackdoula.com/episodes/is-being-controlling-in-pregnancy-a-bad-thing   In the DMV? Hire your own postpartum doula from DC Metro Maternity [http://www.dcmetromaternity.com/].   And anywhere in the US, sign up for our online course for Black women giving birth in the hospital here- https://dcmetromaternity.com/online-pregnancy-birth-postpartum-class-for-black-women/   Subscribe to Musings of a Black Doula on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/musings-of-a-black-doula/id1641625910], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08YnE0ChFtjgbfa6DteJJh?si=AVQkbeY8QM6FjLufG0oryw] or Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/musings-of-a-black-doula]!

06| What is Perineal Massage? Does Prevent Tearing in Birth?

Musings of a Black Doula provides a view into the life of a 30something Black woman who makes her living serving families during birth and postpartum. I’ve built a doula business helping families of color have empowered births at a time when pregnant Black mothers are confronted with terrifying statistics everywhere they turn. And I’ve done it with the belief that there is still so much hope and joy in having a baby. Tune in to learn more about what it’s like. What should Black families really expect when giving birth in the hospital? How do I find a doctor, midwife, doula or lactation consultant I can trust? Is wanting an epidural enough of a birth plan? What should I actually expect postpartum? Is postpartum depression common for Black women? How can I get through pregnancy, birth and raising a newborn without completely losing myself? Is it possible to have a birth that’s not traumatic as a Black woman? How can I advocate for myself in labor? Is breastfeeding really that hard? How do I practice self care as a new mom? What is it really like to be a doula? This podcast is for you if you’re looking for - information about birth and parenting tailored to Black mothers & families of color - what OBGYNs, midwives, doulas and other birthworkers really think about birth and postpartum - an honest but hopeful perspective on reproductive and maternal health in the US - opinions formed over nearly a decade of experience being surrounded by pregnancy, birth and babies - Lessons learned while running a Black owned business - What it’s like to be a Black doula.

Samantha Griffin

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