I walked out of a meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 to find that I had three missed calls, all from 252. I knew something was wrong. My best friend Trevoya, whom had just given birth a week or so prior was now battling for her life. The typical 4.5 hour drive took me three hours and as I rushed in to Pitt Memorial Hospital, I just knew God would keep her...And He did but not in the way I'd imagined. Trevoya Star Wallace died on June 17, 2008, leaving her son Tristan behind. Her death left a mark on me that resulted in grief, resentment, fear and very little desire to ever give birth. I've always loved children but I cringed every time women spoke of labor/delivery.
9 years later, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Queenie.
I thought of Trevoya and Tristan often and pondered on God’s plan for me and my little one. I prayed a lot, and left it in God’s hands. From there, I found an amazing obstetrician who not only made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process, but also welcomed all of my thoughts and questions. She checked on me in-between visits and helped to subside an anxiety that had festered for years.
I’m sharing this because Black Maternal Health Matters; and it’s important that we know that our concerns and questions are valid; and our futures are valuable. #blackmaternalhealth