So often, health professionals focus on the baby, but birthing parents need nurturing, continuity and community too. Restoring power to Black women and reclaiming joy is what doula Habiba Ahmed’s work is all about. She believes in helping mothers to empower themselves with information while tuning into their bodies, learning to trust themselves and their intuition. Habiba talks about restorative post-partum care, what it’s like to be judged and treated differently on the basis of appearance, and the acceptance and support that a whole of community approach can offer. 

Episode notes: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4th.trimester/

SBS interview : https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/i-m-a-birth-doula-here-s-why-my-work-is-essential

SBS Insight Birthing Better Program:  Insight - Birthing Better.mp4

Music in this episode includes ‘Salientia’ and ‘Webbed’ by REW<<, used under a Creative Commons license from Free Music Archive.

Birthing and Justice is written and produced by Dr Ruth De Souza on the traditional and unceded lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nations. Sound editing by Olivia Smith.