BEFORE BLACK Ballad’s, The Survival Guide, we might have said that 2020 already had too many podcasts. But the Black online publication’s first ever foray into the media form is exactly what both this year and the podcasting world required.

Black women’s maternal health is a topic that is often overlooked by the mainstream media. And recent revelations have only reinforced the concern among many in the Black community that health systems aren’t making it a priority either. 

A government report released last month highlighted that though the NHS knew Black women were five times more likely to die during childbirth, they had no target to end the disparity. This prompted outrage on social media, with concerned commenters alarmed at the lack of an action plan.

When the topic of Black motherhood does get covered, the focus often seems to be on the frankly frightening statistics and anecdotes relating to maternal mortality, late diagnosis of maternal health conditions and newborn deaths.

Black Ballad’s The Survival Guide does discuss such issues, giving a platform to women who have overcome distressing experiences – the survival aspect. But it also shines a much needed spotlight on how Black mothers thrive.

“That was really important for us to communicate…it’s not just about pain. Motherhood is hard but it’s also enjoyable and a really exciting experience,” Jendella Benson, writer and host of The Survival Guide and Black Ballad’s head of editorial told The Voice.

The podcast which released its ninth full episode this week, was announced following the online media platform’s motherhood survey which launched at the start of this year.

Written and hosted by Benson, The Survival Guide features some familiar faces – or rather voices – and others listeners will get to know.

“There was a healthy balance of Black women that we know and love and Black women that you will fall in love with,” Tobi Oredein, Black Ballad founder said. 

Not just for mums

Not all guests are mothers, and the podcast will appeal to listeners wherever they are on their motherhood journey, and if they are not on a motherhood journey at all. Topics discussed include deciding on the right time to start a family, fertility issues, teenage pregnancy, miscarriage and baby loss.

The need for such a podcast was clear to Benson, who said that these conversations are usually had in private. This is understandable, given the subject matter, but it means there can be a lack of knowledge in our community.

“All of these conversations, when you become a mum, you end up having them maybe in small friendship groups, maybe the mums and babies groups or in the church creche. But that wider conversation doesn’t really happen,” Benson said.

Finding balance between professional pursuits and raising children is also analysed through the prism of Black womanhood. 

For Oredein, her adaptation to motherhood was somewhat of a surprise.

“I wish I knew I was going to ease into motherhood as well as I have. I thought it was going to be very hard for me to adjust,” she said.

Before becoming a mother, she had focused intensely on building a business and questioned whether she could be “selfless”.

Episodes don’t just provide an opportunity for Black women to share powerful personal stories, they also signpost services and support groups that specialise in the areas of maternal health covered.

As Benson says on the podcast, The Survival Guide mixes “real life experiences with data and experts”.

Podcasts are known for creating an intimate environment, making people feel they’re listening in on conversations with friends. And The Survival Guide does this superbly and sensitively. Benson’s hosting style steers the episodes by introducing the different segments but ultimately gives guests the freedom to speak from the heart.

The myth of the perfect mum

In one episode the quest for the perfect childhood is explored. It’s a concept which Benson admits she was initially quite caught up with.

“I wish that I knew earlier that so much of what goes into a child’s life isn’t necessarily this idea that everything needs to be up to someone else’s standards,” Benson said.

After she struggled with breastfeeding, she admits that she cried over having to use formula.

“I literally was crying like I was poisoning my child,” Benson said. “My mum really had to shake it into me. She was like, you were formula fed and you’re alright.”

Oredein agrees that breastfeeding is not as easy as it’s made to look on TV. The entrepreneur also experienced challenges at first.

But Black motherhood is not all about struggle. Benson lit up when recounting the positive feedback teachers gave at her eldest son’s first parents’ evening.

“They said he’s popular, he gets on well with everyone.

“I’m quite an introvert by nature, which might shock some people but kind of being forced to interact with others because my son is such an extrovert, he’s so warm, he’s so loving and I just feel so proud of him,” Benson said.

Babies show affection too

For Oredein, who began working on the motherhood project before she became pregnant, one of the highlights of her journey has been seeing how her baby daughter shows she cares.

“She grabs her dad by his beard and she pulls my cheeks and she tries to eat your face. I think it’s her way of trying to show affection and she does it all the time. It just warms me because I think it’s her way of trying to communicate love,” Oredein said.

Just like motherhood, The Survival Guide takes you on a journey. There are tearjerker moments, and many more that will make you smile. But what’s truly powerful about the series, which has great range and depth, is how it amplifies the voices of Black women.

“It’s for anyone who is interested in the story of modern Black motherhood,” Benson said.

Oredein added: “I think there’s a conversation at the moment around Black lives and Black motherhood especially. So I think if you’re just genuinely interested in hearing about motherhood from a perspective that we don’t often hear from, then you should tune in.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Catch up on all the episodes of Black Ballad Presents: The Survival Guide now