What We Learned About Reproductive Health from Latham Thomas
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, I’m excited to welcome Latham Thomas to this week’s episode of Balanced Black Girl. Latham is a renowned reproductive health educator and the founder of Mama Glow, a global maternal health and education platform offering extensive, globally recognized doula training programs and services.
Mama Glow supports families during the fertility period, pregnancy, birth and postpartum offering hand-holding through their bespoke doula services.
In addition to her work with Mama Glow and the Mama Glow Foundation, she’s a Visiting Professor teaching Gender and Sexuality Studies at Brown University where the Mama Glow Doula Training program has been incorporated into the school’s curriculum.
While conversations around Black maternal health are often centered around grim outcomes and statistics around mortality, in this uplifting episode we talk more about living than dying.
The Surprising Factor That Impacts Reproductive Health
Our reproductive systems are complex, and so many factors can impact our ability to conceive and bring a healthy pregnancy to term. One factor I’d never considered that can have a huge impact on this process: our stress level.
In the episode, Latham shares the impact stress can have on our bodies, and how that can affect our reproductive health.
We also can’t have a conversation about reproductive health without talking about age. In the U.S., the age of 35 is framed as a reproductive cliff. While age can be a factor, all hope is not lost after 35. Latham shares experiences she’s had engaging with other cultures where it’s common for women to have healthy pregnancies into their 50s, and how we can reframe how we think about age and reproductive health.
Why Living Seasonally Is Key for Reproductive Wellness
Whether you want to give birth in the future, have already given birth, or are not looking to give birth but want to improve your overall wellness, being in tune with the seasons of your life are key.
Black Maternal Health Week occurs every April, and it taking place during spring isn’t a coincidence. Spring is the season of new beginnings, fresh starts, creativity, and new life. When we think about the rhythm of nature, spring is when trees sprout new leaves, and when flowers and produce planted in the fall comes into full bloom.
Taking cues from nature, we can apply this energy to our own lives by viewing spring as a season for new beginnings and fresh starts. During this time of year, it’s natural to have a renewed outlook, more energy, and more creative inspiration. It’s the perfect time to harvest what we’ve previously planted with our wellness habits, routines, and personal work.
In the episode Latham and I go in-depth on ways we can change our wellness routines during the different seasons of nature and our lives to best serve our goals and personal evolutions.
If you enjoyed this conversation about seasonal wellness and reproductive health, make sure you subscribe to Balanced Black Girl for new episodes to help you up-level your life every Tuesday.