“Birth Stories in Color” is a podcast for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino, and Multiracial individuals to share their birthing experiences — a space that specifically celebrates, mourns with, and supports them and their transformation through birth. Founded by Laurel Gourrier and Danielle Jackson, these dynamic Black birth workers have created a multiracial community to learn, share, and give life to children and their birth stories. In celebration of Black Maternal Health Week, Black love spoke with the ladies on an update in Black maternal health, stories they’ve heard recently from their community members, and what advice they’d give to expectant parents.
Birth Stories in Color: The awareness of the reality of Black Maternal Health issues is helping address the mortality rates, we don’t expect instant change, and the pandemic did not help matters. There is more awareness about doulas, midwifery care, and birth options that can address problems in the care structure. However, the most notable changes are within Black women and birthing people themselves. They feel validated in their concerns, seeking resources and care providers that align with them and learning more about self-advocacy.
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Yasmine Jameelah: How has your podcast coverage changed in the past 3-5 years, if at all?
Birth Stories in Color: Are podcast coverage has made some shifts, and how often we show up. We have been more intentional about how often we hold space, recognizing the need to give ourselves space as we digest stories. Even with this, 95% of our storytellers continue to find us on their own, ready to share and process. The other way we have changed is in providing in-person opportunities for community building, sharing, and learning. We do this through our Full Belly Supper series, focusing on infant feeding, lactation, postpartum healing, and birth story processing. Each event in the series is given its own time, and nutrient-rich meals are provided through community sponsorship.
Yasmine Jameelah: If you had to share one piece of advice with a Black mama expecting, what would you say?
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Birth Stories in Color: Build the best birth and postpartum team your resources can muster! We are both believers in Black people having the choice to utilize our own systems of care, that are designed for us and by us. The awareness of Black Maternal Health is up; however, our rates remain the same. The available resources are often times competing for funding along with continued barriers of becoming Black midwives, doulas, and doctors. Because our current health systems are built on racism, access to the care we need and deserve is not fully attainable.
Yasmine Jameelah: What is your greatest hope for Birth Stories in Color?
Birth Stories in Color: Our greatest hope for BSiC is for it to live beyond us! The hope is for our stories to have a permanent home, like the Schaumburg Center for Research and Black Culture. But we could start by joining a celebrated podcast network for an expanded audience to ensure our voices are heard. In addition, we hope that Black women, Black birthing people, and families always find BSiC as a safe haven for their stories. A space where they come as their full selves to have their shared experience held in whatever way it needs to be.
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For more information on Black Stories in Color, follow BSiC on Instagram and download their podcast to stream every episode!
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