Tag: Black Maternal Health

I started my physical therapy journey in March and I am consistently going twice a week. It is an investment in my health, wellbeing, and mobility and I am happy to do this. I have a really supportive Physical Therapy team that gives me autonomy but also supports me with my exercises and constantly encourages me. Can’t wait to see how far this journey will take me.

I haven’t been to church since Easter. After Easter service which I was in overflow, I had to walk down a bunch of stairs and I struggled. I was embarrassed because I was holding up everyone else who wanted to get down the stairs as well. This was alarming to me and I knew I needed a second opinion from another neurologist so I made plans to do just that. Going back to church after the stair situation this month meant I was intentional about being on time so I wouldn’t have to go to overflow again. If I am early, I would just be able to sit down stairs with everyone else. So I was on time. Being on time allowed me to get a perfect seat, enjoy all of worship and be comfortable throughout service. Unbeknownst to me the photographer caught me in the spirit worshipping which was so beautiful. I love worship, I feel so connected to God and can pour out my praise and adoration through the beautiful songs and lyrics. 

Shadesha came over to drop off my birthday presents and it was the most thoughtful gift. She brought me gold jewelry which I love, a jewelry box, 10 books (I read 9 of them so she returned those) and flowers with a book case vase. Wow she just gets me. This made my day. 

Black Maternal Health

April is Black Maternal Health awareness and I went to several events on this topic. Raising awareness about black maternal health is important because we are in a crisis. Black women /birthing people are disproportionately dying during child birth than any other race. Due to systemic racism, including how doctor’s are trained, there are many myths out there that lead to black birthing people to be ignored or mistreated within the medical system. For example, a myth that stems from slavery is that black people, especially black women can endure more pain than other races. This myth is prevalent enough that when a birthing person asks for epidural, or suggests they are in pain and need something to subside it, they are ignored and their pain is minimized. This behavior has led to the deaths of many black birthing individuals. At these events I learned the importance of advocacy and some helpful tips as well including:

1. Family planning does not have to begin when you get pregnant, research should begin before pregnancy.
2. Before getting pregnant or planning to get pregnant, ensure you are working towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
3. Educate yourself on the role of a doula vs. a mid-wife and ensure one or both of them are a part of your birthing plan. 
4. Some of us are conditioned to not question authority, we believe the doctor is always right but that is not always the case, get a second or third opinion. 
5. Advocate for yourself. Pain is not normal.
6. Keep a record of your health, your symptoms, the timing that symptoms appear, and other concerns to share with doctor. Also keep record of any questions you may have for your doctors.
7. It’s never too late to ask for epidural. Don’t let them tell you the time has passed.
8. Bring someone with you to doctor visits.
9. If you don’t understand something the doctor said, make them say it again even if it means using laymen terms.

To close out the month, I got my hair braided in long knotless braids. I didn’t want them that long but she gave it to me anyway without an additional charge, they came out really nice. The girl that does my braids is darn good. Following my hair appointment I went to this restaurant called Osteria Brooklyn. I’ve always wanted to go there. The restaurant is a charming and quaint Italian restaurant and I was inspired to go on a solo book date because the current book I am reading “This Could Be Us” by Kennedy Ryan has a main character that is dating herself before finding love again. I was inspired by this character and it was liberating to see this in a romance book, so I decided to do the same. Yes, I have a partner, but I am still an individual.