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In today’s episode of the Tribe of Suns Podcast our guest, Uzuri shares the birth stories of her 1st pregnancy and her 5th(most recent) pregnancy. We hear how she gained the wisdom necessary to make her latest birth better than her first. Anxiety and the stories of others permeated her thoughts with her first labor and she was not having that this time around. She protected her peace and only reached out to those that came with that same goodness. We spend a good amount of the episode discussing the importance of supporting mothers through pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. With her first birth taking 25.5 hours and her fifth taking approximately 4, Uzuri attributes the long drawn out labor to her “acting a fool” screaming and not being in control. She attributes this most recent outcome with having gained the tools needed throughout her other 3 births, including utilizing Hypnobirthing-esqe techniques like deep focused breathing. Understanding fully what it means to a black birthing woman in this world, Uzuri couldn’t help but to think about the plight of other black birthing women. She is adamant about women’s roles in supporting birthing mothers, advising from a positive standpoint. Women have to take back the control of their births, and we do that by passing down wisdom amongst our people. Some of that wisdom includes understanding that mamas need support on an ongoing basis after childbirth. It doesn’t stop after a couple of weeks postpartum. #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #podcastlife #mommypodcaster #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #entrepreneur #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #tribeofsunspodcast #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CFPFcMDA0Hi/?igshid=9js5u1u3m7lf

peace, beautiful ones! we are koya and bakin, the co-creators of our tribe of suns with almost 13 years of black love under our belt. we’re planning to go live on IG this friday, september 18th to talk about our journey to being a home birth family. what questions do y’all have for us regarding birthing at home? DM your questions or leave them below. share with your folks! #husbae #husband #wife #blackman #blackwoman #blackwifelife #blackexcellence #blacklovewins #dopeblacklove #blacklove #blackmillenialmarriage #blackandmarried #revolutionarylove #blacklovepage #myhusbandisdope #mywifeisdope #blackloveexists #blacklovecouples #husbandandwife #marriedlife #blackhomebirther #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #momofboys #boymom #foursons #tribeofsuns https://www.instagram.com/p/CFMysLYgNH3/?igshid=5kji23zstxut

big shout out to @homecomingpodcast for my new button, cause black home births sure do matter! If you haven’t checked out their podcast, what are you waiting for?! #blackhomebirther #homebirth #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #changingthenarrative #maternalhealthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #hireablackbirthworker #sacredmotherhood #blackmotherhood #tribeofsuns #podcastersofcolor #motherhoodinblack #blackmamasmatter #blackmamas #birthdisparities #birthoutcomes #informedconsent #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #saveourselves https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKDcO-gCrw/?igshid=6dvr4jk8xypa

One thing you will always hear me talk about is how much support mamas need throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. It can be encouraging and affirming words or actual hands on support. In episode 3 of the Tribe of Suns Podcast we hear how Phenecia’s husband, Troy did skin to skin with his newborn , Nuri after she was born. Research shows that very early skin to skin is beneficial to the baby maintaining their body temperature, which is essential. Babies can lose body heat very quickly because newborns aren’t able to keep themselves warm on their own. Other benefits include: •Baby crying less often •Improved weight gain •Experiencing more stable heartbeat and breathing •Higher blood oxygen levels •Long-term benefits, such as improved brain development and function as well as parental attachment. #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #hireablackbirthworker #sacredmotherhood #blackmamasmatter #blackmamas #birthdisparities #birthoutcomes #informedconsent #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #saveourselves #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #homebirthtransfer #nicubaby #skintoskin https://www.instagram.com/p/CFC3E83A9ow/?igshid=sqidjxxg7c78

How did you look past the fear based messaging that you heard when you were pregnant? Check out Episode 3 of the Tribe of Suns Podcast to hear how Phenecia calmed the anxiety before she went into labor. #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #podcastlife #mommypodcaster #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #entrepreneur #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #tribeofsunspodcast #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-lfagAaFV/?igshid=nbdw33zj8zl9

On today’s episode of the Tribe of Suns Podcast, Phenecia(aka PJ) @juspj and Troy @troyd.johnson share their first birth story. They were living life like it was golden in Brooklyn, her as a flight attendant and him as an entrepreneur/barber when they learned they would be expecting their first baby. The couple knew quickly the kind of birth they were envisioning and invested both time and finances to make it a reality. A marriage proposal in Europe followed by an intimate wedding with loved ones had made everything right in PJ's world. Her beautiful and uncomplicated pregnancy allowed Phenecia to work up to 36 weeks, and be cute while doing it! While their home was the original place that they planned to welcome their new light into the world, a 40+ hour long labor changed those plans. PJ would be faced with having less control of her birth, but still did her best to advocate for herself and make her birth plan known to those who would take over her care. The warrior mama battled through additional complications that would make breastfeeding her daughter difficult. Even with support from those closest to her, in addition to others-- Phenecia still had to get through some tough emotions postpartum. She found peace in being able to give her daughter donor milk for a time. Her child being fed and well soon became the main goal, thus allowing PJ to give herself the grace she deserved all along. #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #firstborn #brooklyn #mommypodcaster #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #waterborth #homebirthtransfer #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #tribeofsunspodcast #homebirth #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7UUfkA8Q0/?igshid=1d7uoow4wfsku

you gotta give credit when it’s due. birthing another being is not light work, no matter how easy a mama can make it look. your body goes through some thangs—major thangs, and having a support system that understands and acknowledges that, is the icing on the cake for a mama that just endured the journey through childbirth. support black women—in all ways. 📸: @imanshumpert #blackhomebirther #homebirth #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #changingthenarrative #maternalhealthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #blackbirthstories #hireablackbirthworker #tribeofsunspodcast #teyanataylor #blackmotherhood #blackbabas #maternalmortality #blackmamasmatter #blackmamas #birthdisparities #birthoutcomes #informedconsent #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #saveourselves https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6wVBlALgj/?igshid=j5lblgu9mlig

they did it again!! they had another baby at home. i’m sooo hype for them!! we do this, ya’ll! we birth strong healthy babies at home. 🏠 there is something about a bathroom while you’re in labor. i concur!! Congratulations to to the family!! I’m so sure she is getting all the postpartum support she needs with her mama and her husband by her side. ・・・ Repost from @teyanataylor via @imanshumpert We love you Rue, welcome baby girl @babyruerose 😢😍🌹❤️ At 3:28 am on Sept 6th 2020 Rue Rose 🌹 decided that the baby shower thrown for her and mommy was too lit. She didn’t make the party but she managed to make the next day her birthdate!!! Now...when we buy homes, we always find a bathroom with great energy... but not in a million years would you be able to tell me we’d deliver both of our daughters in a bathroom without the assistance of a hospital! Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter. Black love wins....again. Welcome babygirl...we love you! 🌹 @babyruerose #blackhomebirther #homebirth #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #hireablackbirthworker #sacredmotherhood #blackmotherhood #blackbabas #maternalmortality #infantmortality #birthdisparities #birthoutcomes #informedconsent #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #teyanataylor #blackpodcasters https://www.instagram.com/p/CE37zm7AO4H/?igshid=tu3p1t5i9hb4

Ya’ll see Mama Denise looking to see who hasn’t listened to her birth story on the ‘the tribe of suns podcast’? her water birth / home birth story can be a source of inspiration for my sisters even if you never considered one for yourself. share with the young women in your life that may believe a hospital birth is their only option. it’s not! find the ‘tribe of suns podcast’ on: 🎤 apple podcasts 🎤 spotify 🎤 stitcher 🎤 anchor 🎤 overcast & 🎤 radio public. #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #podcastlife #mommypodcaster #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #entrepreneur #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #tribeofsunspodcast #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CErCqe7geA8/?igshid=ovh3w7ecz819

WE’RE LIVE!!! {{links in bio}} note: Apple says my link should be active within a few hours! Spotify, Stitcher, & Breaker are live NOW! In our very first guest episode, Denise explains how a fear of pregnancy and labor as a younger woman evolved into a strong desire to give birth at home. She once saw childbirth as an unbearable act that she says, “scared me to the core.” Meeting her husband, Akibi while in grad school played a role in Denise ultimately choosing to birth their first child at home. An African centered and health conscious lifestyle led him to discover the documentary “The Business of Being Born” which he then introduced to his wife. Prior to viewing the documentary, Denise hadn’t given much thought to what birth would be like for her. It enlightened her to birth as a lucrative business and how dangerous it can be for black women giving birth in a hospital. Support from sisters--blood and chosen also helped open her eyes to what things she might be able to expect from pregnancy and childbirth. She admittedly “punked out” on her sister’s first two births, but made it her business to attend her sister’s third birth to work toward mentally preparing herself. Being no stranger to research and studying, books were also a part of Denise’s resource list. Armed with resources she was able to determine what she did and did not want for her delivery. An already healthy lifestyle helped Denise to be on the path to a healthy low-risk pregnancy and birth. She would incorporate yoga, dance, and running into her pregnancy, build a birth team around her that offered unwavering support, and trust her body to get her baby into her arms safely. #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #podsincolor #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #podcastlife #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #entrepreneur #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #stitcherpodcast #tribeofsunspodcast #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CEkNK87gjF3/?igshid=13irbwk07m26

getting out of my own way sounds a lot like a podcast. it sounds like setting a deadline for myself and knowing that i’m not going to talk myself out of it, because this ancestral work is my duty to our people. hey it sounds like creating a space for sharing the personal birth and motherhood stories of black women and black birth workers, as a means of educating and empowering sisters to be the facilitators of their pregnancy and their birth. our stories go beyond just physically bringing babies into the world. there’s so much more to each of our motherhood journey’s than meets the eye. you can’t look at a sister and know whether she’s battled infertility or if she’s expecting a child being delivered via a surrogate! you won’t know unless you hear her story. sound good to you? it sounds great to me!! LAUNCHING 8/31/2020!!! #newpodcastalert #blackpodcaster #birthstoriespodcast #wocpodcasters #dopeblackpodcasts #blackwomenpodcast #birthstories #herstory #podcastlife #mommypodcaster #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #applepodcast #entrepreneur #interview #newpodcast #spotifypodcast #tribeofsuns #maternalhealthadvocate #tribeofsunspodcast #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #birthoutcomes https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhO85uAASx/?igshid=12zutft7zf6ti

•black breastfeeding week still ain’t over• This week is so important because while there are universal challenges experienced by all moms, there are great disparities when it comes to Black mothers breastfeeding. 58% of Black women breastfeed compared to 75% of White women. This may be due to lack of resources and support, racism, implicit bias, etc.. Did you know that Black mothers are 9 times more likely to be offered formula by hospital staff than White women? Did you know that breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality which is significantly higher amongst Black babies compared to White babies? It can also reduce common illnesses and diseases amongst Black babies. Let’s continue to highlight these disparities and advocate for change! Revive! Restore! Reclaim! Illustration by: @guadypleskacz Repost from : @raising.resilience #SupportBlackMothers #BlackBreastfeedingWeek #BlackBreastfeedingWeek2020 #BlackBreastfeeding #Breastfeeding #NormalizeBreastfeeding #Breastfeedingmom #BlackLactation #BlackLactationConsultant #ChocolateMilk #pmads #pmadsupport #blackmaternalhealth #blackmaternalmentalhealth #minoritymentalhealthawarenessmonth #blackmamasmatter #minoritymentalhealthawarenessmonth #postpartum #blackselfcare #postpartumdepression #perinatalmentalhealth #postpartumanxiety #supportblackownedbusinesses #selfcarejournal #melinatedmommy https://www.instagram.com/p/CEb1eIsg8d1/?igshid=xgjue8m3czg2

we are still out here celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week! 🥰 I found the book that I or my husband bought over 12 years ago when we found out we were expecting our first child. It is a treasured gem that was packed away. It is unfortunately no longer in print, so if you happen to cross paths with one make sure you add it to your library. 💜koya “Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts a woman can give her child. It is the perfect food for baby because breastmilk is specially designed for the baby. Breast-feeding promotes womb healing. The uterus is allowed to naturally contract and reduce hemorrhaging. Breast-feeding burns calories, allowing the body to get back in shape faster. Exclusive breast-feeding delays ovulation for most women during the first six months and acts as a natural contraceptive method. However every woman’s body is different. Breast-feeding also benefits the environment. The earth which sustains the African family must be protected. Mothers especially must do their part to protect the mother called Earth.” (Sidenote to my fellow birth workers, birth nerds, inquisitive folk, and life long learners: i have found some very well taken care of books related to pregnancy and birth at goodwill and other resale/thrift stores on various occasions. some books i have to have brand new, or so i tell myself. others i’m fine with buying used.) #blackhomebirther #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #changingthenarrative #maternalhealthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #hireablackbirthworker #sacredmotherhood #blackmotherhood #iyaraet #holisticparentingfromthepanafrikanperspective #blackbabas #maternalmortality #infantmortality #motherhoodinblack #blackmamasmatter #birthdisparities #birthoutcomes #informedconsent #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #saveourselves https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZggDdAhyg/?igshid=1ttaw5w7ajrbi

did i already say it’s black breastfeeding week?! Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts that we can give our babies. Breastfeeding promotes womb healing. The act allows the uterus to naturally contract and can reduce hemorrhaging in some women. And guess what else? It’s good for the environment 🌎 😆 https://www.instagram.com/p/CEUXunWAaGf/?igshid=129jg6oxy6odl