Greetings and welcome as we recognize Black maternal Health Week from April 11-17, 2024!

The purpose of #BMHW24 is to highlight efforts led by BlackMamasMatterAlliance (BMMA), and collectively work toward a future where ALL Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive throughout their lives-including in their reproductive years. This year's theme is “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!”
In this episode we chat with Samantha Griffin, a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator. She founded DC Metro Maternity and brought on a team of other passionate certified ​female doulas of color and together, they have been supporting black families in the DC, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia areas since 2018.

Samantha shares her profound mission as a black doula working with women of color:What we really try to do as doulas is take away so much of that fear. Make sure that people know that someone is there with them. And that it can be an experience that's really beautiful and valuable and can help you. See new sides of yourself in ways that are so inspiring as opposed to, "Oh my gosh, this is terrifying. I can't do it..." because we can do it. You know, even if it's our first time and no matter what sort of birth you have, whether it's unmedicated or you want an epidural, or even if you need a C section, like there's so much beauty and honor in that.

We also discuss:

-Black Maternal health Week-historical reasons women of color are still "catching up" when it comes to health services

-how doulas can help every mother
-postpartum doulas and the importance of accepting help!

-Samantha's special offer to high risk pregnant black women: Grounded Birth: A Course for High Risk Pregnancy

Visit us at Mamistad.com for more info about Mamistad and to learn more about Mamistad groups! As always, if you're a new mom, even if it's not with Mamistad, please find your MAMA TRIBE.

If you're a Mamistad Mom and want to be a guest, you know where to find me!

Not in Mamistad but have an idea? I want to hear it!

Mamistad,

Cynthia

PS - Please don't forget to rate the Mom Chat Podcast on the app so we can be seen by more mamas! Thank you - YOU are appreciated!

~Women are incredible, Moms are limitless, and a Sisterhood of Moms is a force of nature.