Coming home after birth is a blessing. Bringing a child into this world is a life and death situation. Many families welcome home new mom and baby, some just a baby or just mom and some are left with stricken grief and are constantly asking themselves “what happened”? In 2020, five black mothers died during childbirth: Kira Johnson (Feb), Cordille Street (March) Amber Issac Rose (April), Sha-Asia Washington (July) and Chaneice Wallace (October).
I was deeply saddened by Sha-Asia’s death. Maybe because part of my name is her name. Just minutes after I read the news, I was prompted to share what happened during my labor. That is when I realized more needs to be done. According to the CDC, Black mothers are 3-4 times more likely to die at childbirth. Black maternal health is health crisis and needs to be addressed.
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane”. Dr. Martin Luther King
Birthing While Black at a Birth Center
In 2017 I became pregnant. I had a wonderful pregnancy., with excellent prenatal care. My husband and I went to classes to prepare ourselves. Thursday June 7, 2018 I went into labour. I laboured at home, for 12+ hours, until it was finally time to go to the hospital. We arrived at the birthing center Friday at 5:30am. I was 4cm. I gave the team my birth plan. My pain management plan was none. I wanted an all-natural birth. Me and baby’s heart rate was checked regularly. I didn’t want the heart band around my belly and they respected that decision. The nurses and midwives were so pleasant. They respected my birth plan, my wants and do-not wants. Throughout the labor, the nurses asked me several times if I needed to pee….I kept saying no, because I did not have the feeling too. They even made me sit on the toilet several times to try. I sat in the rocking chair, danced with my husband and sat in the shower to relieve the pain. While sitting in the shower, I began speaking in tongues. I’m not sure why, but the holy spirit told me too.
Finally, after 10hrs. It was time to push. For some reason there were alot of doctors in the room, including a pediatrician, residents and an obgyn. After 4 pushes, my handsome baby boy arrived. They placed him on my chest, the umbilical cord was cut, the placenta was removed and it was love at first sight. But shortly after the team realized there was an issue. Suddenly the room was full of doctors and nurses and the obgyn took over. I did not understand what was going on. I just wanted to close my legs and hold my baby (at least that’s what I thought happened after birth). I was bleeding heavily and my uterus was not contracting. One shot of methergine in my right thigh, another in my left and then another in my right again. The team thought quickly and catheter me. My bladder was popped and Thank God the bleeding was under control. The obgyn also got on top of my stomach and began pumping my stomach to ensure everything was out. After, they checked for any cuts; thanks to the lube they applied before pushing, there were no cuts. Usually they will have you pee after delivery and clean up, but in my case my bladder needed to be empty before pushing.
TIP: Please make sure your bladder is empty before pushing.
TIP: If they do not apply lube, please ask for them to do so.
We Made it Through.
Finally, the chaos was over and my baby boy was back in my arms. That situation was traumatic. I experienced a bit of anxiety shortly after, fortunately it quickly subsided. I stayed up all night looking at my baby. I was so proud of myself, my body. I was so in love.
Should You Give Birth at a Birth Center
The next morning, the chief midwife came into my room and looked me in the eye and was honest with me that the team was really scared and was so happy we took care of it quickly. My iron was low, but that was expected. Fortunately, my postpartum team was great; my labor team even came over to visit me the next day. They really took care of me. The week after mom baked some cupcakes and deli kebabs for my prenatal team at the office and my labor team. I was so thankful.
I now understand why the Holy Spirit told me to pray while in labor “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you…” Deuteronomy 1:30. I now understand that many families are not as fortunate as me. These woman stories make me sad, but inspire me to help other women by creating this blog and my foundation, Save Her Life.
Black Maternal Health
Please mama, read these woman stories, educate yourself, ask your providers questions, if you don’t like something speak up and report it immediately, change providers if need be. I also challenge you to share your birth experience with young women and mommies to be. Projecting fear does not help. Instead, share with others your experience, so they are educated and prepared.
