Ep 208: Candace’s Birth Story - Reclaiming Your Birth Story After Obstetric Violence

When Candace learned how dangerous it is to be Black and give birth in the US, she started looking for solutions. Using her skills as a professional data scientist, she determined that she would be safest opting for an unmedicated birth at a birthing center.There, the staff was patient, respectful and communicative. But at 39 weeks, after days of prodromal labor, a hospital transfer was necessary. That’s when her whole experience took a dark turn. About 20% of all birth center births will result in a hospital transfer. The most common reason for transfer is pain management. If we do a little back of the napkin math, that means that Candace’s story is incredibly common. That’s just unacceptable. We can and should do better and this episode shows how the simplest efforts can make big impacts.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Which four factors Candace determined improve outcomes for Black parentsWhat respectful medical care looks likeHow Candace discussed racial healthcare disparities with her care teamWhy she decided to switch doctors mid-deliveryWhat convinced Candace it was time for a c-sectionHow she managed the emotional pain and trauma she felt in the wake of her birth--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode208Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right WayLearn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicoleOur Sponsors:* Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com* Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal!* Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy