The Mature Momma Life

This episode is dedicated to the Momma that inspired this entire Podcast, Kira Johnson.

Maternal Mortality is at an all time high and women are dying at alarming rates. Pregnancy-related deaths have increased from 7.2 per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 18 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2014. The United States is ranked 50th globally for its maternal mortality rate and is one of eight countries in which the mortality rate has increased. What’s scarier?  Women that look like me were dying at an even higher rate. Did you know that Black women have a 4-5 times chance of dying during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum? The CDC reported "considerably racial disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist" in its findings of 12.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women compared to the 40 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women. A study conducted showed the most prevalent racial disparities within America's middle class and determined that black mothers with advanced professional degrees, such as a master's degree or higher, have a higher chance of infant mortality compared to white women whose highest education level is the 8th grade.

The causes of the gap remains unclear, but a study done states that it may be due to the way healthcare systems are organized and operated. Healthcare providers' biases, prejudices and uncertainty when treating minorities could also contribute to healthcare disparities. The study also claims patients' attitudes and behaviors play a role. A small percentage of minority patients do not trust health care professionals due to pass encounter or stories passed down by family member. 

This episode will teach you how to use your greatest tool, your voice, to help you advocate for yourself and save your life or the life of someone you love. 

Press play and join the conversation. 

Where can you find the tribe?

Facebook group: The Mature Momma Life Podcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrSanObGyn

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrSanObGyn 

How in the world do we make friends with other Mommas this late in life? We come to a place where we KNOW we need new friends but we have no idea on how to find them? We are all “old ladies” with toddlers. It’s scary and funny because none of us really know what we are doing. 

The reason I feel that you have to have people in the struggle with you is because you need other people to let you know everything that’s happening right now is normal. We need to find ANYTHING to do just to relax and get our minds off of parenting for a few hours. This could be happy hour, dinner at a nice restaurant, spa day, walking around the neighborhood, trying something new like candle making/cooking/etc, or just sitting in each other’s house and gossiping…or watching reality TV. Those few hours are so refreshing. The energy you get from people that are going through the same things you are is just so invigorating. You get to bounce ideas, concerns, questions, and situations off people that can give you clear answers in a way they know you can receive them. I love my Momma Dates.

Now like I said, I know it’s hard finding friends this late in life. People are pretty protective of their intimate spaces and really don’t want to take the time and energy to learn new people. I get that. But if you don’t have a circle of Momma friends or what I like to call a Momma tribe, you need one, ASAP. They can be life changing.

Now that I’ve given you enough reasons on why you should have a Momma Tribe, I’m going to give you a few tips on how to find people for yours. It’s easier than you think. Plus this week start’s Women’s History Month. Get out there and meet some new women to make history with.

I want to say that this is no means and episode to bash or degrade women that choose freebirthing or homebirthing. What this episode and all episode is here to do is to empower women with information so they can make the best decision for them and their unborn child. What I don’t want to do is create a hostile environment for any woman. I don’t want anyone to leave this podcast and feel beat up on or bullied. What I do want is for women to leave this podcast and feel that they have a little more education so they can make sound decisions. I may not agree with the decision but at the end of the day, you get a little more information to keep you and the baby safe. That’s what this podcast is about. Well that and old ladies having babies LOL.

Birth plans, one of the most popular topics in my office. I know many of you have probably seen the memes, or heard jokes about them, or maybe you've never really heard of them at all. Today I am going to help y'all make the ultimate birth plan that will make your obstetrician, family medicine physician, or midwife proud. First off, it doesn't have to be color coded. It does not have to be laminated. It doesn’t have to be notarized either. Yes Mommas, there have been notarized birth plans. LOL.  It just has to useful. Let this piece of paper speak for you when you can’t. It’s not about what essential oil you want to have in the diffuser or what music you want playing while you labor. You want the people taking care of you to look at this paper and say, “We know you and we know how to keep you safe”.  Yes Mommas, you can have a birth plan that help the physicians and the nurses take better care of you.

If you need help on making the perfect birth plan, then this episode is all for you! Grab your pins and pad and CLICK PLAY!!

For follow up discussion make your your following the community at: 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drsanobgyn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

Your first prenatal visit is the most important visit. I mean they ALL are, so don’t try to skip out after the first one. I know how some of us are so don’t try to say Dr. San told me I only had to show up for day one and delivery. I want you to come to all your appointments. I say that your first appointment is your most important because it’s when I can gather the most information that can determine the path of your pregnancy. Is this a 25-year-old with no high-risk medical history or is this a Mature Momma that’s healthy at 40 year old or is this a 35 year old woman who has heart issues and a history of pulmonary embolism? Your past and current medical history determines a lot when it comes to how you will be monitoring during pregnancy. It also determines where you need to safely be delivered or even if I’m appropriate in caring for you. So yes, the first visit is a big deal. It is probably longest visit so be prepared to talk about all the things. On today’s episode, I am going to give you a few tips to make the best of your first prenatal visit.

I know we are told that the biggest decision as a woman is who we choose, if we do, to spend the rest of our lives with. And that’s very true when you think of life goals, financial goal, career goals, etc. but next to that, if you choose to have a family, the biggest decision is who will take care of you before pregnancy, during pregnancy, during labor and delivery and then postpartum. Oh my goodness. I didn’t realize how big of a deal this was until I was deep into my training. Yall, I have seen the good, the great, the amazing, the bad, the ugly, and the WTF. 99% of my colleagues are amazing women and men that have devoted their life (Yes their LIFE) to women and the life of their unborn. 99% of us take you into our hearts and treat you like family.

Obstetrical providers that aren’t the same but for different reasons. It could be training, or bias, race, cultural, upbringing, or whatever. It is your duty as a Momma to make sure you are putting the life of yourself and your child in the best trained person you have in your area. You want a physician or midwife that views your life and the life of your child as a priority.

On this episode, I'm going to give tips on how to find the perfect and safest Obstetrical team and birthing facility for you.

Find Dr. San and the Mature Momma Tribe at :

www.instagram.com/drsanobgyn

www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

And don't forget to join the mailing list: 

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e0a1f31efd02b0026c7ab64 

So ladies, this is gonna be one of those real conversations. You know one of those conversations that just goes over so much better with a glass of wine. But if you listen to podcast while driving like I do, then made a nice warm tea or coffee. No drinking and driving ladies! I know this is a podcast is primarily for women who have already been hazed into the wonderful life of Mature Momma hood. But I also know that we have women here that are trying to start their journey or want information for when they are ready to start. For some it's because you're waiting until your career is at a perfect spot or you're waiting for the perfect person or you have fears of judgment because you would be a single mother or because you are struggling with infertility. Many reasons as to why you don’t have a little person screaming “Momma” every 30 seconds. Today this podcast is going to be for the ladies who are struggling with the mindset or decision whether it’s the right time. Today I want you to see me as your girl that’s having a real heart to heart with you about some real ish. I might get all in your business. I might step on all of your toes, but know that’s coming from a place of love and want.

Find Dr. San and the Mature Momma Tribe at :

www.instagram.com/drsanobgyn

www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

And don't forget to join the mailing list: 

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e0a1f31efd02b0026c7ab64 

From the moment women pee on that stick and see a positive indicator, they are instantly in love with the ball of cell growing in their belly or someone else’s belly. I mean surrogacy is a thing.  But how many of us really prepare ourselves before we start trying? How many of us as the hard questions with truthful answers? Do you even know what questions you should be asking yourself or those that take care of you?

If you’re trying for a pregnancy or not doing anything to prevent one you really need to ask yourself these questions.  “Are you healthy enough to take on pregnancy” or “Is your hypertension under control” or “Are you on medications that could be harmful to you or the baby during pregnancy” or “Is your diabetes well controlled”. Another biggy that many of my patients don’t want to talk about is “will my weight play a significant role in my pregnancy, labor, and delivery”? And I'm not only talking about obesity.  These are all questions that should be asked and answered before pregnancy. Yes, for most women,  it’s exciting to get pregnant but Mommas, I want you to see it to the end. I want you to enjoy the Mature Momma life with your kids. As beautiful as pregnancy is, it can kill you if you’re not optimized to your best health. As one of my good friends recently said, “Pregnancy is like having one foot inside a grave”. Scary, but so true. Your body is so vulnerable. So many systems are stretched and challenged during those 40 weeks. Things can change so quickly and if you’re not optimized before pregnancy and monitored appropriately during pregnancy, you could lose your life. 

To get five simple tips to help prepare your body and mind before pregnancy, click play now. And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes. 

To continue the conversation, don't forget to join the email list or follow Dr. San on Instagram and Facebook at: 

www.instagram.com/DrSanObGyn

www.facebook.com/DrSanObGyn 

Today we will discuss the “Why”. Why is this space needed. Why do we need this tribe? Aren’t all Mommas built the same? Shouldn’t we just all figure it out as we go? Isn’t this life easy? Doesn’t everyone just breeze through pregnancy and childbirth. Super easy right?!?! Wrong. So I won’t get to far into the numbers because we have forever together right? So I can dive into those another day.

So if you’ve been living under a rock, you might not know that the Maternal Morbidity and Mortality rate in the United States is embarrassingly high. In a land where we have cars that run by electricity and Instapots that can cook frozen food in 15 minutes, we have thousands of women die during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Some of these deaths and injuries were preventable. The prevention is in the education. The prevention is recognizing bias. The prevention is in better access. The prevention is in having a strong advocate. The prevention is also in…dare I say it, calling out racism. All of these things combined will help to significantly decrease the mortality rates. 

My why is simple, it’s because I want to save lives. I want to help keep you safe. I want us to all be safe. 

So if this why speaks to you, hit the subscribe button and join the best Mature Momma Tribe Ever. By subscribing, you won't miss any episodes. Also make sure to share with all of your friends. 

To engage with the tribe, follow at: 

www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

www.instagram.com/drsanobgyn

Where will you find your fabulous new tribe of Mommas? You’ll be able to listen to a new episode every week on Monday. I thought Monday was a great idea because 1. I’m corny and love Mature Momma Mondays and 2. I feel that it gives you information to take into the week with you. I’m hoping that this podcast will empower you with a voice and knowledge, so you walk into spaces really to talk. This is all spaces, whether they are in a medical setting, your advocates or your girlfriends.

As the podcast grows, we may chat twice a week or if it’s topic that needs to tim to be devoted, you’ll hear from the Mature Momma tribe as many times needed to get all the info in.

So yes Mommas, I made it simple and easy. All you have to do is click subscribe to hear from your Mature Momma Crew once a week. I know you're busy, so by subscribing, you automatically get a notification that a new episode is available. 

Places to find Dr. San after the show:

www.instagram.com/drsanobgyn

www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

What is “The Mature Momma Life” podcast. Is a space where we talk about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the after but from the voices of Momma’s that are in their thirties. I would say Mommas that fit the true definition of “Elderly Momma” which is over the age of 35 but once you hit 30, it’s pretty much the same to me. Now why isn’t this just a podcast for all Mommas? I'm not saying all Mommas aren't welcome as there aren't too many Mommas I meet and don't love but,  I’ve had the pleasure of treating women in their teens and twenties compared to women in their thirties and trust me,  it’s completely different. Our conversations are different. The risks are different. Just completely different worlds. All ages are welcomed. We still need to know information to keep us Mature Mommas hip. Nothing worst than your kid saying a new phrase or talking about a new singer and you have no idea who or what they are talking about. 

We are going to be discussing topics before you are pregnant. Meaning, making sure your body is ready to undertake pregnancy. Yes, this is something that we should be doing at all ages but it’s critical after the age of 35. We will discuss fertility at this age. Options on getting pregnant or having a child. We are going to talk about diseases that plague our bodies and how that effects pregnancy after 30, especially after 35. We are going to talk about ALL THE THINGS MATERTITY. We will also have topics after the little cherub is born. So that's discussions on parenting, being a great friend/tribe member and partner.

So if this is what you need in your life, hit the play button and join in on today's episode. 

If you love what we are talking about, hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode. 

And where can you find me after the episode is over? Click the links below to join the social media family. 

www.instagram.com/drsanobgn

www.facebook.com/drsanobgyn

Well you know I couldn’t start a podcast without giving introductions first. So who is your new best friend? My name is Sanlare Gordon, Dr. San, and I’m a board certified Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB/GYN) by day and full time mature mom…really…all the time. Today we will talk about who I am, who's in my tribe, and why this tribe is for you.

This podcast is "who" you've been waiting on if you're a Momma in the 30+ club trying to survive pregnancy and Mommahood. So get comfy, turn the volume up and click play. 

Come get comfy with the Mature Momma Life Podcast. A place where mommas who have experienced the ridiculously hilarious label of “Geriatric or Elderly Pregnancy” on their medical chart gather to share experiences, knowledge, and laughter. A place where you can come learn how to navigate the journey of becoming a mother and surviving motherhood. A place to gain knowledge to save your life and your sanity.