Tribe of Suns Podcast Koya

In today's episode of the Tribe of Suns Podcast, Designer and Full Spectrum Doula Marise admits that sharing her story is healing for her. Her episode is longer than most, but host Koya took care to be sensitive and patient as Marise shares her four pregnancy journeys-- three of which would end prematurely as a result of miscarriage from unknown causes. Marise talks about how she made it through, what support looked like for her,  and how she found her calling as a doula. You’ll hear why this mama is the epitome of resilience and love.

In today’s episode of the Tribe of Suns Podcast our guest, Uzuri shares the birth stories of her 1st pregnancy and her 5th(most recent) pregnancy. The creator, teacher, wife, and mama shares how she gained the wisdom necessary to make her latest birth better than her first. Anxiety and the stories of others permeated her thoughts with her first labor and she was not having that this time around. She protected her peace and only reached out to those that came with that same goodness. We spend a good amount of the episode discussing the importance of supporting mothers and families through pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. We are responsible to birthing mothers and their families. Uzuri nor I will let you forget that.

On today’s episode of the Tribe of Suns Podcast, Phenecia(aka PJ) and Troy share their first birth story. They were living life like it was golden in Brooklyn, her as a flight attendant and him as an entrepreneur/barber when they learned they would be expecting their first baby. The couple knew quickly the kind of birth they were envisioning and invested both time and finances to make it a reality.

A marriage proposal in Europe followed by an intimate wedding with loved ones had made everything right in PJ's world. Her beautiful and uncomplicated pregnancy allowed Phenecia to work up to 36 weeks, and be cute while doing it! While their home was the original place that they planned to welcome their new light into the world, a 40+ hour long labor changed those plans. PJ would be faced with having less control of her birth, but still did her best to advocate for herself and make her birth plan known to those who would take over her care.

The warrior mama battled through additional complications that would make breastfeeding her daughter difficult. Even with support from those closest to her, in addition to others-- Phenecia still had to get through some tough emotions postpartum. She found peace in being able to give her daughter donor milk for a time. Her child being fed and well soon became the main goal, thus allowing PJ to give herself the grace she deserved all along.

In our very first guest episode, Denise explains how a fear of pregnancy and labor as a younger woman evolved into a strong desire to give birth at home. The dedicated educator shares how even a planned pregnancy can be a major game changer. Armed with resources she was able to determine what she did and did not want for her delivery. We hear how sisterhood, yoga, and dance also helped prepare Denise for childbirth. With a supportive husband by her side she was one step closer to having the birth she desired. Stick around until the end of the episode to get some of his insight. Despite some annoying pregnancy symptoms Denise was able to have the birth she envisioned.
After Denise's episode had already been recorded the midwife that attended her second birth (not shared in this episode), Claudia Booker transitioned (2/19/2020). Claudia Booker was a Certified Professional Midwife at Birthing Hands Midwifery and Birth Services. She was well respected and loved by so many. She believed firmly in the importance of black birthing women being supported by other black women. Denise shares a dedication to the beloved memory of a phenomenal woman. 

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Business of Being Born (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thebusinessofbeingborn2/248173698)



Holistic Parenting from the Pan Afrikan Perspective. While the book is no longer being printed, you can watch an interview with the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_IJ5ckYOYo



ROOTEAD-- https://rootead.org/ "Rootead Enrichment Center offers healing arts and birthwork programs  that are diverse, inclusive, anti-racist and trauma informed. In order  to be equitable, all services offered through the Enrichment Center are  available at low-to-no cost.".
Claudia Booker's Legacy-- https://www.birthinghands.net/

Host, Koya pronounced (kaw-yuh) gives gratitude for those that have been supporters on her journey to launching the podcast. She offers a little background information on who she is and why she knows this podcast needs to exist. A main goal is to educate and empower black women through birth stories and conversation while highlighting the importance of black birth workers for black birthers. Koya’s refusal to allow her sisters to go along with whatever medical professionals deem necessary fuels her to want to share the stories of this demographic of women, who often aren’t listened to, believed, or respected. Koya shares her thoughts on birth as a natural process, why healing is needed, and how that healing may present itself. She honors the stories of those who may have not had the outcome they desired and sheds light on another way to look at that difficult time. Koya acknowledges the importance of black women being honest about their feelings surrounding their birth and motherhood stories. Each of our personal experiences matters and she emphasizes black women sharing their truths and being the facilitators of their pregnancies and births.