49 | Wise African Woman - Moji Yaii

Moji is originally from Benin, West Africa, with childhood and adult living experiences in the United States and Benin. Living in her family home and having knowledge of family homebirth, Moji never felt fully assimilated into the culture in Florida. Homebirth is a choice. One that requires asking - who will be there, what will I need, when should I be prepared, where will I labor, why am I choosing to birth at home, and how can this be accomplished. Current birth culture has romanticized homebirth in a way that can be challenging for people who don’t do the work before their labor and delivery. Moji found out she was pregnant while attending midwifery school. She and her partner were managing their new, not yet serious relationship and still learning about each other. They chose to live together as they started to plan their homebirth. Unfortunately, emotional and later physical abuse against Moji from her partner would mar the relationship, and Moji had to decide for herself and unborn child next steps. She left and returned to her hometown to be with her family. After the move, she had a shift in her pregnancy that was full of joy.

Moji found a new midwife and began planning for her homebirth at her family home. When her labor started, she found herself still needing to grab last-minute items. She recognized the signs of labor but continued to work and complete her tasks. She took her time and allowed herself to adjust mentally. Moji connected with her labor support, which she handpicked for specific reasons to be present. She stayed mobile and utilized her tub to relax and bring her baby earthside.

Postpartum would bring on brief depression, and Moji utilized her encapsulated placenta to brighten her mood. She had time to bond with her baby alone, which she enjoyed. Her mother came to provide support and offer traditional West African postpartum care. Childbirth has helped Moji know herself, trust her body, and be comfortable with who she is. This has prompted Moji to return to Benin and learn more about the mother's postpartum care from within her family’s traditions. She is actively working to decolonize birth with her Wise African Woman Retreat. The Wise African Woman Retreat offers women and their families space to study, environment to explore, and community with whom to gather, learn, play, and expand knowledge.

Resources:

The Wise African Woman | birth education retreat

Divine Birth Wisdom | doula and lactation services - pregnancy and postpartum herbs and nutrition