For Black And Native Women, Doulas Can Prevent Deaths
Black and Native doulas are already addressing maternal and post-partum healthcare inequities through their community work. Disclaimer: At various points throughout this article, the author uses gendered language. This is because most studies done about birthing people only include or refer
Engaging With Black Pregnancy Outside of High Childbirth Mortality Rates
The only time I saw Black parents represented were to mention mortality rates during childbirth. It left me infuriated and frustrated. By Sadiyah Bashir Like any other pregnant Millenial/Gen Z-er excited about bringing new life into the world, I took to the
The Radical Act of Beyoncé Claiming Her FUPA
Beyoncé addressing this post-baby body reality is an important moment.
I am not a rabid Beyoncé fan. I like Lemonade and a few more of her songs, but it would be a stretch to call me a “fan”. However, reading her statement in Vogue’s September issue, I felt a kinship with her that I had never felt before because she spoke honestly and openly about birth and the post-birth body. As a Black woman who is prized in part for her looks, I believe this was a radical act on her part. Beyoncé took over the high-fashion magazine and, yes, we were given the beautiful photo shoot that we were expecting to see, having been photographed by Tyler Mitchell, the first ever Black photographer to shoot the cover for the 126 year-old magazine, but we were also gifted with the raw and open discussion of her pregnancy and postnatal period. This wasn’t an exposé or an in-depth report — it feels intimate and candid. In her own words, the artist states, “To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it. I think it’s real. Whenever I’m ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.” [caption id="attachment_49914" align="aligncenter" width="800"]