Pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum birth are incredible opportunities to discover your strength and emerge feeling stronger and more empowered than you could have ever imagined. However, they can also be a time in which many people experience trauma, especially when they have a history of past trauma and are not fully supported and prepared. In this episode, we are joined by Ngozi Tibbs to talk about how past experiences impact one's thoughts and feelings during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum birth. She shares her incredible story of self-discovery, healing and how she kept her connection with her spouse before and after childbirth, and how she overcame her trauma and was able to do and endure things she never believed she could. Ngozi wears a lot of hats as an Infant and Early Child Mental Health Consultant, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Lactation Consultant, Certified Health and Nutrition Coach, Relationship Coach, and Master Sexpert. She is married to her college sweetheart for 31 years and they are the parents of five awesome children and one fantastic grandson. She loves teaching and learning from families as they navigate through the joys and challenges of raising children.

In this episode:

The Best-Kept Secret! Survivors of sexual abuse who are preparing for birth should surround themselves with resources and a community that supports them at times they are most vulnerable Sexuality is part of who we are, we don’t become less sexual because we are mothers or parents Key Takeaways: The process of giving birth and breastfeeding could also be a healing experience When you have a gift to help others, it is fulfilling to share it with the world Women are naturally strong and powerful; they are able to overcome the challenge of childbirth It would be best if you work on your healing so you do not project it onto other people Discuss unspoken expectations after the baby is born to sustain your connection with your partner Be kind to yourself and know what you want so you can guide your partner Tweetable Quotes: “I don't really feel like I knew who I was, and knew who I wanted to be until I was in my late 40s.” - Ngozi Tibbs “What we are all looking for is somebody that can walk alongside us, and help make our journey a little bit lighter.” - Ngozi Tibbs “Be kind to your body. There is no such thing as a perfect body.” - Ngozi Tibbs Resources Mentioned When Survivors Give Birth: Understanding and Healing the Effects of Early Sexual Abuse on Childbearing Women Crossing the Boundary: Black Women Survive Incest Survivor Moms: Women's Stories of Birthing, Mothering, and Healing after Sexual Abuse