Postpartum care wasn't always rushed, clinical, or isolating. In many African-American communities, the weeks after birth were treated as sacred time where families and communities gathered to care for the mother so she could focus on caring for her baby.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with renowned midwife, cultural historian, and author Shafia Monroe about the traditions documented in her new book Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing. Mama Shafia shares how historically rooted postpartum practices—from the 42-day "lying-in" period to nourishing soups, herbal teas, and hands-on community support—helped mothers rest, recover, and bond with their babies.

They explore what's missing from the modern Western postpartum model, how traditional wisdom from Black midwives supported physical and emotional recovery, and why caring for mothers is essential for healthy families and communities.

(02:43) Why Shafia wrote Mothering the Mother and the lack of resources on African-American postpartum traditions

(07:47) The love letter to Black mothers and words of affirmation for postpartum parents

(11:56) What's missing in modern postpartum care and how Western systems differ from traditional community care

(19:06) Hypervigilance, stress, and supporting postpartum healing

(21:26) The 42-day "lying-in" period and traditional postpartum rituals

(25:45) Postpartum food traditions, soups, and healing foods from African and African-American culture

(33:50) Why these traditions matter for all families, not just one culture

(37:45) "Mother wit": trusting intuition about your body and your baby

(41:25) Advocating for yourself in healthcare and trusting your body during pregnancy and birth

Resources

Get Mama Shafia's book, Mothering the Mother: African-American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes, and Healing: shafiamonroe.com/mothering-the-mother/

Learn about the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC): thenaabb.org/

Read about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training: smcdoulas.com/

EBB 152 – Shafia Monroe on Traditional Black Midwifery, Spirituality, and Community Advocacy

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

EBB 395 - Postpartum Practices from African American Traditions with Shafia Monroe, Midwife and Author of Mothering the Mother

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