On today’s episode, I take a look back on my own childbirth experiences and share how close I came to losing both babies, the postpartum experience, and the sheer overwhelm I experienced as a new mom.
These experiences are not new to women but for Black women in the United States, giving birth, and going through postpartum and perimenopause have increased risks and severity of symptoms.
Having gone through the process of childbirth and now perimenopause, I can testify to the severity of the symptoms and how I was utterly dismissed by my doctors.
This disrespect finally got one doctor fired and sent me on a hunt for a physician who would listen.
There’s a link between the hormone fluctuation between Black women during childbirth and postpartum and perimenopause that’s causing the severity of our symptoms. Science is just starting to parallel the two. I’m hoping that women on either end of the spectrum get the help and relief needed.
Kay Matthews of the Shades of Blue Project is doing amazing work in the Black maternal mental health space. So if you’re a new momma in search of support during your postpartum period, call them! You don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to suffer alone.
Moms, if the “baby blues” aren’t going away, reach out to The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for help. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
Enjoy the show, everyone.
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Lisa N. Alexander is the author and founder of This Woman Knows and What Million-Dollar Brands Know. She is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer, and writer and is the owner of PrettyWork Creative.
