Baby, Mama...then Me: The Black Woman

Her Time Now: The Postpartum Series by Chocolate Mama Gifts Part 1: The Silent Epidemic — Postpartum Depression and Black Mothers Bringing a baby into the world is often painted as a time of pure joy, glowing cheeks, and soft lullabies. But for many Black women, that picture doesn't tell the whole truth. Behind the smiles and swaddles can be a hidden pain — one that often goes unnamed and untreated. 🌿 What Is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than just “feeling off” after childbirth. It’s a serious mental health condition marked by intense sadness, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and detachment. Unlike the short-lived “baby blues,” PPD can linger for weeks or months, affecting a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. 📊 How Common Is It? Across all populations, about 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression. But for Black women, studies suggest the rate may be 2 to 3 times higher — and still, we’re the least likely to be di...

I Forgot About Me...and Now I Remember I remember the moment it hit me. I was folding baby clothes, sipping cold coffee, and listening to the hum of a monitor when it occurred to me—I hadn’t looked at myself in the mirror that day. Not really. Not past the quick glance to check for crust in my eyes or whether the bonnet was still hanging on. I couldn’t remember the last time I took a deep breath and didn’t rush to the next task. I couldn’t remember the last time I asked, “How am I doing?” See, as Black women, we wear the cape. We mother. We manage. We hold it all together. But somewhere between birth and bedtime, we start fading from our own story. And yet, we are still here . Beneath the stretch marks and expectations, there is a whole woman. One who dreams. One who cries. One who deserves joy—not just survival. So today, I took a walk. No stroller. No diaper bag. Just me and my healing. I stood in the sun and let it kiss my skin. And I said out loud, “I rememb...