Caribbean Birth Stories

Many millennials are faced with the question; can I have a successful career as well as a fulfilling family life? Career vs. family…do we even have a choice in the matter?

My first guest, Kimberly, shares her insights on how she continues to find balance.  Kimberly is quite open about the realities of choosing to have a live-in nanny in the Caribbean where it is uncommon and in some instances, she feels, frowned upon.  Nevertheless, there are many lessons shared not just for expectant and new mothers but also for employers as to how they can best support new mothers without them feeling that their growth within the organization suddenly becomes stunted post-baby.

It’s our season finalé!!!

Thank you so much for following, sharing and rating Caribbean Birth Stories.  Today’s episode doesn’t disappoint, I couldn’t wait to share this particular story because I truly had no clue about the plot twist, no spoilers promise, you have to listen till the very end.

Dr. Melissa Francis is an intelligent, warm and free-spoken friend who jumped at the opportunity to share the intimate details of her birth story; never even shared with some of her family or friends.  It is her hope that her story brings awareness to many issues related to babies born premature.

Dr. Francis highlights the remarkable work being done at the Psychiatric Hospital Barbados.

Follow them on FB @psychihospital.bb and/or IG @psychihospital

If you, or someone you know, is struggling in the antenatal or postnatal period please call 1 246 536 3091 or just walk-in it’s open 24/7 and the services at the Psychiatric Hospital Barbados are FREE!

Please follow, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world.

Look out for season 2, promises to be filled with many surprises!!

IG:@_miss.informed_

It takes a village not only to raise a child but to also give birth to a mother.  Renée empahsizes this throughout her story. Renée is candid about her struggle with depression following a diagnosis of endometriosis. 

Can you visualize barbed wire wrapped around your pelvic area and it then being ignitied by fire? That's how Renée describes the pain she felt from months 4 - 7 of her pregnancy!

This is only a glimpse into the trials of this endowarrior on her journey to motherhood. Listen to her story.

It’s such a pleasure to introduce this week’s guest, Beena Persad-Harris.  Beena is a midwife and baby birth educator from Trinidad and Tobago.  Founder of Hello Baby TT; a midwife led, doula supported center offering services to help prepare and support expectant parents through pregnancy birth and baby. If you’ve ever wondered what the differences were between a midwife and an OBGYN, Beena explains along with the benefits of having a Doula as your support person during labour and delivery.

For more information, you can visit the Hello Baby TT website at:

www.hellobabytt.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (868)460 6136

Follow on IG @hello_baby_tt and FB @hellobabytt

Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

IG:@_miss.informed_

Ever wondered what it would be like to give birth in a country outside of your birthplace? Meet Jhana, my honest, fun-loving and always ready to do battle for her family sister-in-law.

In today’s episode, we explore some of the differences of giving birth in the Caribbean, in this case Jamaica, versus the United States.  Please bear in mind that this young veteran in the birthing business had her first child almost 25 years ago so quite a bit has changed, nonetheless it was a fun trip down her memory lane. Enjoy!

Listening to Andrea one would swear she had some form of formal medical training, but she doesn’t.  However, Andrea is an example of how we, as women, must become knowledgeable and advocate for ourselves on this journey to motherhood.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

- Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions to your Doctor

- You know your body, trust it!

- Keep asking the questions until you get an answer

- Learn about what’s taking place with your body on this journey, don’t let the new terminology intimidate you.

If you want to learn more about the BLOSOM Foundation (Baby Loss Organization in Support of Memories) contact Andrea at [email protected]. 

Andrea discusses quite a few subject matters during our chat, be reminded that Andrea’s treatment came following thorough examinations by her OBGYNs, if you are experiencing any symptoms described please seek the advice of your primary care practitioner/OBGYN.

Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

IG:@_miss.informed_

After being thrust into motherhood while dating, Xiomara eventually experiences pregnancy and delivery with the birth of a son. “Trust your gut” comes to mind as Xiomara shares how she found out she was expecting twins!

Hailing from the beautiful Spice Island of Grenada Xiomara is thorough, eloquent and objective about her story. Enjoy!

Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

IG:@_miss.informed_

I had the pleasure, in today’s episode, of chatting with my dear aunty Lynette. Despite not being blood related she has been in my life for over 30 years and has played an integral role in my development.

Hearing her birth stories makes me wonder if having a baby was much simpler 40 years ago. Yes, there have been some remarkable advancements and inventions that have helped many women on this journey to motherhood, but has this been at the expense of something far more important? Can we return to a place of being so attuned to our bodies that we know when we are ready? or when something in our body seems off amidst the noise of technology?

Aunty Lynette highlights the very serious topic of postpartum depression, studies show that postpartum depression (PPD) affects at least 10% of women or 1 in 9 new mothers.

Symptoms according to the DSM-5 can include:

- insomnia or hypersomnia

- psychomotor agitation or retardation

- fatigue

- feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt

- diminished ability to think or indecisiveness

- recurrent suicidal ideation with or without a specific plan or suicide attempt

If you or anyone you know is exhibiting signs of “baby blues” please seek advice from your OBGYN, midwife or medical professional.

Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

Follow on IG:@_miss.informed_ for updates.

So many of us women work diligently at trying to control the circumstances which we encounter, some more effectively than others.  However, for this self-proclaimed type A, planner, surrendering to the process proved to be one of the chief lessons learnt on her journey to motherhood.  Nneka is as authentic and vulnerable as they come, sharing intimate details of her experience without fear despite her notable prominence in the media world. 

For more info on Nneka visit her website at nnekaelliott.com or [email protected]

Nneka mentions the excellent work by her dear friend Saran Vaughan of Wellness by Saran, check her out at www.wellnessbysaran.com

In Canada and looking for a certified Lactation Consultant and Doula? Why not give Giselle Johnston at www.fullspectrumdoula.ca a visit?

Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

IG:@_miss.informed_

Like many, Nimah’s entry into motherhood wasn’t a smooth one. Juggling university in a different country without much support, Nimah emphasizes the significance of having support during birth and delivery.  Ever heard of a good Trini chow? Nimah dishes on the ingredients along with other cultural hacks used on her journey.

Living in Trinidad and Tobago? Having difficulty with breastfeeding, or anxious for when that time rolls around, check out the Breastfeeding Association of Trinidad and Tobago formerly known as TIBS.

Phone: (868)628 8234 or (868)468 5412

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.breastfeedingtt.com

Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!

IG:@_miss.informed_