In a truly high-impact dialogue, Darla Miles welcomes celebrity Tatiana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) to discuss her firsthand story of a difficult birthing experience. After a healthy pregnancy, Tatiana felt she had been doing all things right. But “everything changed when we were in the room.”
Ali was surprised by her haunting experience and how common it actually is within the Black community. Between systemic racism and bias, she found herself in a situation that did not feel safe. She discusses being coerced into an epidural, getting pinned down, and listening to screaming. The scene played out unlike anything she imagined and Tatiana found herself in shocking positions, including one with a doctor climbing on her bed, that left her feeling squeezed “like a bottle of toothpaste.” It was then that she realized no one there could help her.
That’s when they pushed her son back inside of her.
It is that part of the story that gets a stark reaction and that’s the part of the story that truly spotlights the importance of sharing her experience. The fallout left her son with medical issues and a stay in the NICU.
The video also features commentary from birth doula Denise Bolds. Bolds offers her own unique perspective on this important issue. She highlights the problems and the potential solutions for those women entering this crucial part of their birthing journey. She showcases exactly what Black women need in order to have the safe space they deserve.
