Episode 144

Birth Without Bias & the Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood with Kimberly Seals Allers

August 23, 2023

Our guest on this week’s episode is Kimberly Seals Allers,  an award-winning journalist, five-time author, and advocate for women’s health, particularly focused on black maternal health. Kimberly explains the alarming statistic that black women are three to four times more likely to die in hospitals, with a shocking mortality rate 12x higher than white women in New York City. Kimberly is the founder of Irth App, which is a rating-based app striving for transparency and helping black women find the safe hospital care they need and deserve. 

In this episode we cover:

• The bias that exists in birth experiences and outcomes for black women 
• How the American system is failing mothers
• The unrealistic expectations of motherhood; why you shouldn’t compare.
• How the idea of motherhood is capitalized and marketed toward women
• The real definition of postpartum depression and benefits of breastfeeding for the mother
• How to let go of the idea of being “the perfect mother” 

Highlights

• 3:27 How Kimberly went from a career in journalism to advocating for black women.
• 4:45 The alarming statistics and reasons why black women are more likely to die at a hospital while giving birth.
• 12:55 What does postpartum depression really look like?
• 16:16 The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother.
• 20:12 The commercialized side of motherhood; how to not fall for it.
• 29:06 Letting go of comparison in motherhood and unrealistic expectations.
• 33:50 Setting the right example for children.
• 36:26 How the Irth app is saving black women’s lives.

Links and Resources

Resources:
Irth App
kimberlysealsallers.com
@theirthapp
@iamksealsallers 

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