Alanna's story, bringing Kadeem, Solange and Celeste into the world

Alanna's story, bringing Kadeem, Solange and Celeste into the world

This conversation has been a long time in the making, yet so very timely and topical. We both finally found some time in ‘COVID life’ to sit and have a proper conversation.

Alanna a mother of 3, raising two girls after the loss of her son Kadeem at 26 weeks, has so many intricacies to her story. Many I had never heard of, others I have never had to think of. Yet throughout so much resonated with me. It always surprises me how so much of our situations, circumstance, and experiences differ, yet at the core, we all find commonality and comfort in hearing other women’s stories, however different or similar they are.

It was great to get Alanna’s perspective, have her share so much of her journey. I loved hearing what it was like to have her sister there to share in her birth experiences not only as a sister but also as a midwife.

I also have to thank Alanna for sharing her experiences as a black mother in such a historic time for #blm movement, not just now while it's trending but across the course of her life. I appreciate her vulnerability, it was eye-opening, interesting, and most of all a lot of fun chatting with her. The perfect antidote to life right now.

Alanna said- 'As a Black woman, I can add that I feel very strongly about advocating for black mothers' experience in birthing and with the medical system. I went into my pregnancies and my births very well informed but still encountered many of the stereotypically negative experiences black women go through while dealing with the health system. I struggled with feeling like no matter what I thought were protective factors for myself (economic security, education, support, etc.) I still fell victim to the statistics (i.e. black women and losses, black women and pre-term labour/low birth weight, etc.)'

To add to that, for anyone that doesn't know black mother's are 4 times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. This needs to change and we all need to be part of making that change happen.

So here it is #intotheworldpodcast back after a little life break.

Thanks for listening.

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