Content Warning: In this episode, we will be talking about maternal mortality, infant mortality, and the impact of racism on maternal health.
60% of all maternal deaths are fully preventable, and the complications women experience are not inherent to black or brown bodies. Yet Black and Brown women have been blamed for their "bad outcomes" instead of recognizing that these deaths all too often have to do with failures in the obstetric system. In the US today, a Black woman is 12 times more likely to die of childbirth than a white woman, despite socioeconomic factors.
Today on the On Health podcast, I am having a very real and much-needed discussion on the racial disparities in the business of birth, the demand for change, how we can better celebrate Black birthing people, and more, with Kimberly Seals Allers. She is an award-winning journalist, five-time author, international speaker, strategist, and advocate for maternal and infant health. A former senior editor at ESSENCE and writer at FORTUNE magazine, she is also a leading voice on the racial and socio-cultural complexities of birth, breastfeeding, and motherhood. Additionally, she is the founder of Irth, a new "Yelp-like" app for Black and Brown parents to address bias and racism in maternity and infant care. Kimberly also created Birthright, a podcast about joy and healing in Black birth that centres on positive Black birth stories.
Tune in for an incredibly raw conversation and a very real look into a black woman’s reality as an expecting mother and beyond. Your eyes will be further opened to the injustice that continues to exist in this country and you will feel more inspired than ever to do what you can to take action as an advocate.
Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. Follow Kimberly @iamksealsallers, get your copy of The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding, listen to the Birthright Podcast and check out the Irth App at www.kimberlysealsallers.com
Why Metabolic Health Matters and How to Improve it with Casey Means
[Replay] The Hidden Motherhood Struggle with Catherine Birndorf and Paige Bellenbaum
[Replay] Adaptogens & Burnout
Demystifying Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Menopause with Sharon Malone
The Wisdom of the Menopause Brain with Lisa Mosconi
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers with Lisa Damour
Stress in Pregnancy: How Much Should You Stress About It
Beyond Gaslighting and Narcissism: Finding Yourself to Find Love with Jillian Turecki
Why Women Have More Autoimmune Diseases Than Men
The Power of Growing Older and the Problem with Ageism
Why Creating & Setting Boundaries is Essential for Our Health
Becoming a Cycle Breaker: Healing Intergenerational Trauma with Compassion and Resilience
Beyond Crystals and Bubble Baths: Talking About Real Self-Care
Parent Wounds: Healing Our Hearts Even in Crisis
Unpacking the Invisible Load of Motherhood with Erica Djossa
A Silent Fire: Understanding Hidden Inflammation with Shilpa Ravella, MD
Medical Gaslighting: What It Is, Why It’s So Dangerous, and What You Can Do to Advocate for Yourself
Moving Through Grief and Its Big Messy Feelings with Kris Carr
Should I Freeze My Eggs? Let’s Chat About That!
Hot Flashes Gone Public with Tamsen Fadal
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Fertility Conversations Podcast
Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep
The Gary Null Show
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The School of Greatness