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Beware of Wolves in Gran Gran's Clothing!
Lorna Phillip 
In March we had a great conversation at Let's Talk Black Birth. When it comes to guidance, not all pregnancy & birth information is created equally!
Soooooo, when I launched Let's Talk Black Birth in March, we kicked off with a discussion around the reliability of pregnancy, birth & parenting information.
It seems every 'well-meaning' woman, man and their cat has something to say about birth and often what I read online is really disturbing and misleading!
If you're pregnant right now, you may (or may not) want to consider my tips for discerning the good from the bad and the downright ugly birth info and advice.
📌TIP 1
Work out whether the information/advice being given is based on someone's experience, an opinion OR your healthcare professional's "way of doing things round here". Then ask yourself what that's got to do with YOU as an individual. YOU who comes with your own unique body & baby, experiences, wishes and needs.
Then accept, reject or challenge the information accordingly.
📌Tip 2
Take EVERYTHING with a pinch of salt!
Then ask more questions like "how is this information relevant to me as an individual?"
📌Tip 3
Think "what's the agenda here?" And maybe, "who's funding the messenger?"
Is the advice/information given aimed at grooming me into conforming to policy/guidelines/the way we do things round here?
Is the information totally impartial if it's coming from a body that depends on funding from organisations known for systemic racism and poor treatment of Black mamas? Do they truly speak up and out for you, do they stay quiet for fear of being dropped by their funders? Or are they being utilised as a tools of an oppressive system to feed you messages aimed at grooming you into conformity??
Ideally, the information that you trust & take on board should come from people who are rooting for you. People who just want to see you win and thrive through your pregnancy, birth and parenting journey. Seek them out because these are your people!
If you're Black & pregnant, come and join the conversation. Let's Talk Black Birth!
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