How to Have the Best Birth Experience Possible—Even in a Pandemic

In this episode we hear from Stasia, a pregnant Black woman who wants to know how to prepare for birth and how to advocate for herself along the way. Zahra chats with Kameelah Phillips, M.D., an ob-gyn and women’s health advocate based in NYC. One of her core interests is health care disparities—and how to help prevent them. Zahra also consults with Latham Thomas, a doula and the founder of Mama Glow who focuses on care along the childbearing continuum. They discuss how to navigate the system as a Black pregnant person and how giving birth looks different during the pandemic.  You can learn more about Dr. Phillips’ work or seek care at www.callawomenshealth.com, and follow her on Instagram @dr.kameelahsays. You can learn more about Mama Glow and its supportive community at www.mamaglow.com, and follow Latham Thomas on Instagram @glowmaven. For resources, information, and a variety of articles on Black maternal mortality, visit SELF’s extensive series on the issue. For other related articles, check out: What It’s Like to Be a Doula Working With Black Pregnant People Right Now There Are Joyful Black Birth Stories--This New Podcast Is Highlighting Them I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine While Pregnant—Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding People, According to New Study Pregnant And Worried About Coronavirus? You’re Not Alone Some People Are Disclosing Their Pregnancies ‘Early’ Because of the Coronavirus The Deep Loneliness of Having a Baby in a Pandemic What It’s Like to Pause Fertility Treatments Because of Coronavirus How Years of Infertility Prepared Me for Pregnancy During the Coronavirus Crisis Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices