Mothering the Mother: African American Postpartum Traditions, Recipes and Healing

ISBN: 0306835436

Author: Shafia Monroe

Rediscover the lost art of African American postpartum healing traditions in a practical, essential guide to maternal health. Over forty years, Shafia Monroe has helped thousands give birth, and has taught thousands more how to support postpartum mothers, all integrating the deep wisdom of African American healing traditions. Under recognized by the health care system these practices --such as belly binding, using warmth and herbs, observing the lying‑in period, and the "taking‑out‑of‑bed ritual" --are powerful healing tools. Using them, we mother the mother through a healthy postpartum period. While Mothering the Mother is a powerful healing for the diverse range of postpartum experiences, it especially aims to empower Black mothers and help reduce maternal mortality hat disproportionately affect Black women. There is an urgent need for an embrace of African American postpartum care that surrounds the new mother and her baby with community, love, and protection. Mothering the Mother is a celebration of motherhood and a resource for Black women and communities to reclaim their cultural traditions for a healthy postpartum recuperation.