https://simplecast.com Memos from Motherhood (Or, I Gave Birth During a Pandemic?!) Memos from Motherhood (Or, I Gave Birth During a Pandemic?!) is a podcast that documents and unpacks the personal and political nuances of becoming parents amidst both a global pandemic, and seismic political, cultural, and environmental change. It features two friends: Misa, a Black American woman from NYC, and Veena, a South Asian American woman from LA. Trained as anthropologists, they process pandemic parenthood holistically and intersectionally through intimate conversations and voice memos. 2022 Memos from Motherhood en Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:00:13 +0000 https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com Memos from Motherhood (Or, I Gave Birth During a Pandemic?!) https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/5ae39eab-b8e0-402c-9cf9-902ccfe8570b/6718080c-e2af-4e86-b4d4-445dfb68af4f/3000x3000/mfm-show-art-march2022.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com episodic Memos from Motherhood (Or, I Gave Birth During a Pandemic?!) is a podcast that documents and unpacks the personal and political nuances of becoming parents amidst both a global pandemic, and seismic political, cultural, and environmental change. It features two friends: Misa, a Black American woman from NYC, and Veena, a South Asian American woman from LA. Trained as anthropologists, they process pandemic parenthood holistically and intersectionally through intimate conversations and voice memos. Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur no https://feeds.simplecast.com/hbfq6E21 covid19, firsttimeparents, matresence, motherhood, pandemic, parenthood Memos from Motherhood memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com aeee9eb4-2381-4016-917c-cd0d857c2324 As Seen on TV (aka Veena’s Birth Story) Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Relevant Links and Articles for this Episode:

Veena’s Re:Work podcast miniseries on Black midwives in Los Angeles devoted to helping women experience empowered births through their foundation and birth center, Kindred Space LA:
- The Calling
- It’s Magic

The Stages of Labor

Congressional Proposals to Address the Maternal Health Crisis

H.R. 959: The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021

United States House of Representatives Black Maternal Health Caucus

]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/as-seen-on-tv-aka-veenas-birth-story-241lKcGH Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Relevant Links and Articles for this Episode:

Veena’s Re:Work podcast miniseries on Black midwives in Los Angeles devoted to helping women experience empowered births through their foundation and birth center, Kindred Space LA:
- The Calling
- It’s Magic

The Stages of Labor

Congressional Proposals to Address the Maternal Health Crisis

H.R. 959: The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021

United States House of Representatives Black Maternal Health Caucus

]]> As Seen on TV (aka Veena’s Birth Story) Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur 00:38:06 Most parents and birth workers will tell you that giving birth is nothing like what you see in the movies. In Veena’s case, however, it was! In this episode, Veena shares her birthing story and reflects on the unexpected emotions that accompanied it after nothing went fully according to plan. We discuss how birthing during Covid shaped birthing plans, and the early first weeks of having a new baby at home without outside support from loved ones. We also touch on birthing as a portal that makes it both miraculous and scary, and bookmark for later a longer discussion about the maternal mortality crisis in the United States. Most parents and birth workers will tell you that giving birth is nothing like what you see in the movies. In Veena’s case, however, it was! In this episode, Veena shares her birthing story and reflects on the unexpected emotions that accompanied it after nothing went fully according to plan. We discuss how birthing during Covid shaped birthing plans, and the early first weeks of having a new baby at home without outside support from loved ones. We also touch on birthing as a portal that makes it both miraculous and scary, and bookmark for later a longer discussion about the maternal mortality crisis in the United States. pandemic motherhood, desi, birth stories, pandemic parenting, black women, pandemic babies no full 5 2 1527451f-d419-471b-b38f-1a3195dd2722 Third Trimester: That Was Some Crazy A** Sh*t! Episode Notes

Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Relevant Links and Articles for this Episode:

The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Memorial for Peace and Justice

Killer of George Floyd Sentenced to 21 Years for Violating Civil Rights By Jay Senter and Shaila Dewan

List of George Floyd Protests Outside the United States

Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed George Floyd’s murder, wins honorary Pulitzer by Errin Haines

The Pandemic Has Made 2 Moms Reflect on Their Decision to be Parents  by Anne Helen Petersen

]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/third-trimester-that-was-some-crazy-a-sht-EXZmz5sF Episode Notes

Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram

Relevant Links and Articles for this Episode:

The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Memorial for Peace and Justice

Killer of George Floyd Sentenced to 21 Years for Violating Civil Rights By Jay Senter and Shaila Dewan

List of George Floyd Protests Outside the United States

Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed George Floyd’s murder, wins honorary Pulitzer by Errin Haines

The Pandemic Has Made 2 Moms Reflect on Their Decision to be Parents  by Anne Helen Petersen

]]> Third Trimester: That Was Some Crazy A** Sh*t! Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur 00:36:59 During the third trimester, everything gets really real, and you have no choice but to accept how much your world is about to change. Your body almost never feels comfortable, the frequency of your prenatal visits and tests increases, and you really do need to pack your hospital bag (!). In this episode, we talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic added virtual layers to certain third trimester traditions, as well as how new stressors brought on by ever-changing hospital policies impacted the tone and tenor of birthing experiences. We also reflect on how the news of George Floyd’s murder, and the global reactions to it, emotionally impacted us as mothers-to-be. During the third trimester, everything gets really real, and you have no choice but to accept how much your world is about to change. Your body almost never feels comfortable, the frequency of your prenatal visits and tests increases, and you really do need to pack your hospital bag (!). In this episode, we talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic added virtual layers to certain third trimester traditions, as well as how new stressors brought on by ever-changing hospital policies impacted the tone and tenor of birthing experiences. We also reflect on how the news of George Floyd’s murder, and the global reactions to it, emotionally impacted us as mothers-to-be. pandemic motherhood, desi, george floyd, third trimester, pandemic parenting, black women, pandemic babies no full 4 2 ca43b5df-6e9e-4545-a2b6-b9a69a27e2ff Second Trimester: Opinions and Expectations Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Relevant Articles for this Episode:

“Some Pregnant Women in New York City Will Have to Deliver Babies Alone” by Christina Caron and Katie Van Syckle

“Doulas Hope to Regain Momentum as Covid Restrictions Ease”  by Sarah Hoenicke Flores

CDC Guidelines for for Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Settings

“Pregnancy and Birth in the United States During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: The Views of Doulas” by Dr. Crystal Adams

“Increase in Maternal Mortality During COVID Underscores Need for Policy Changes” by Maggine Clark

]]> Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/second-trimester-opinions-and-expectations-YZXgXyEl Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Relevant Articles for this Episode:

“Some Pregnant Women in New York City Will Have to Deliver Babies Alone” by Christina Caron and Katie Van Syckle

“Doulas Hope to Regain Momentum as Covid Restrictions Ease”  by Sarah Hoenicke Flores

CDC Guidelines for for Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Settings

“Pregnancy and Birth in the United States During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: The Views of Doulas” by Dr. Crystal Adams

“Increase in Maternal Mortality During COVID Underscores Need for Policy Changes” by Maggine Clark

]]> Second Trimester: Opinions and Expectations Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson 00:42:03 During the second trimester, it might start to really sink in that you're going to have a baby. You might start making plans, including fun ones, to mark this transition into parenthood. For Veena, most of this was true. For Misa, though, it wasn’t just the baby that was becoming more real. During her second trimester COVID-19 became understood as a real threat in the US. In this episode we discuss our contrasting experiences in our second trimesters of pregnancy. We reflect on (and maybe roll our eyes at) the strong opinions others had about our birth plans. And we marvel, in hindsight, at the experimental living arrangements and the strange and fun last moments of in-person gatherings we experienced before the safer-at-home orders changed life completely. During the second trimester, it might start to really sink in that you're going to have a baby. You might start making plans, including fun ones, to mark this transition into parenthood. For Veena, most of this was true. For Misa, though, it wasn’t just the baby that was becoming more real. During her second trimester COVID-19 became understood as a real threat in the US. In this episode we discuss our contrasting experiences in our second trimesters of pregnancy. We reflect on (and maybe roll our eyes at) the strong opinions others had about our birth plans. And we marvel, in hindsight, at the experimental living arrangements and the strange and fun last moments of in-person gatherings we experienced before the safer-at-home orders changed life completely. pandemic motherhood, desi, doulas, black women, second trimester, pandemic babies no full 3 2 67f38ed4-ac90-49f3-9d45-dc6d137da521 First Trimester: The Before Times We'd love to hear from you!

Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:37:18 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/the-first-trimester-PqvpULdl We'd love to hear from you!

Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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]]> First Trimester: The Before Times Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur 00:41:28 In this episode we continue reflecting on “the before times” through the lens of our first trimester. We dive into discussions (and laughter) about: first realizing pregnancy was upon us; being nervous about being excited; the politics of disclosure (when to tell, who to tell, and why); needed areas of improvement with prenatal care of pregnant people outside of testing; and, surprisingly, epigenetics. In this episode we continue reflecting on “the before times” through the lens of our first trimester. We dive into discussions (and laughter) about: first realizing pregnancy was upon us; being nervous about being excited; the politics of disclosure (when to tell, who to tell, and why); needed areas of improvement with prenatal care of pregnant people outside of testing; and, surprisingly, epigenetics. pandemic motherhood, desi, pandemic parenting, black women, pandemic babies, first trimester no full 2 2 5cbd660c-2d20-409d-90ec-1cbff5cba107 To Be, Or Not to Be (Pregnant)? Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Mentioned in this Episode:

How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn

“Two Heartbeats a Minute” Invisibilia Podcast Episode

Other Relevant Articles:

The Movement for Black Lives Policy Platform

]]> Sat, 3 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/to-be-or-not-to-be-pregnant-ZXogX4IR Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Mentioned in this Episode:

How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn

“Two Heartbeats a Minute” Invisibilia Podcast Episode

Other Relevant Articles:

The Movement for Black Lives Policy Platform

]]> To Be, Or Not to Be (Pregnant)? Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson 00:39:19 For our second season, we begin by looking back at the “before times,” when our mental calculus was not focused on decisions around indoor gatherings, masks, vaccinations, and remote vs. in-person working — and instead on whether or not we wanted to have children. We discuss what factors led to us deciding to try for children, what our worries, fears, and concerns were, and reckon with the moments when we realized how much we ourselves devalued the labor of child rearing, and why. For our second season, we begin by looking back at the “before times,” when our mental calculus was not focused on decisions around indoor gatherings, masks, vaccinations, and remote vs. in-person working — and instead on whether or not we wanted to have children. We discuss what factors led to us deciding to try for children, what our worries, fears, and concerns were, and reckon with the moments when we realized how much we ourselves devalued the labor of child rearing, and why. pandemic motherhood, postpartum, desi, black women, pandemic babies, pregnancy no full 1 2 7c9ab24a-b90d-4665-84b2-51d7c34e57c6 What the Body Holds Send in a voice memo or note to: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Mentioned in this Episode:

The Highly Sensitive Person

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman (Author) and Molly McIntyre (Illustrator)

The Moonbeaming Podcast by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener

American Idol Alum Syesha Mercado Is Still In The Midst Of A Heartbreaking Custody Battle With The State

When Child Care Costs Twice as Much as the Mortgage

It’s ‘unconscionable’: We depend on child care workers to provide high-quality care to our children. But many of those workers can’t afford food and rent

]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2022 18:08:11 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/what-the-body-holds-d3bd7oi6 Send in a voice memo or note to: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Mentioned in this Episode:

The Highly Sensitive Person

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman (Author) and Molly McIntyre (Illustrator)

The Moonbeaming Podcast by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener

American Idol Alum Syesha Mercado Is Still In The Midst Of A Heartbreaking Custody Battle With The State

When Child Care Costs Twice as Much as the Mortgage

It’s ‘unconscionable’: We depend on child care workers to provide high-quality care to our children. But many of those workers can’t afford food and rent

]]> What the Body Holds Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur 00:48:32 The postpartum phase isn’t just about physically healing our bodies — so much more is happening, especially during a pandemic. Our bodies can hold experiences and emotions that we aren’t always aware of. And this can be compounded when you are a part of the 15-20% of people who identify as a Highly Sensitive Person. Misa and Veena contemplate what emotions and experiences our bodies may still be holding after giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long story short, birthing people need nurturing. They also need tangible resources and support. The postpartum phase isn’t just about physically healing our bodies — so much more is happening, especially during a pandemic. Our bodies can hold experiences and emotions that we aren’t always aware of. And this can be compounded when you are a part of the 15-20% of people who identify as a Highly Sensitive Person. Misa and Veena contemplate what emotions and experiences our bodies may still be holding after giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long story short, birthing people need nurturing. They also need tangible resources and support. postpartum, pandemic, motherhood, highly sensitive person yes full 4 1 295e517d-396a-4aaf-9f8c-c8b4bb3636df Unexpected Rhythms Send in a voice memo or note to: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

“The Strange and Lonely Transformation of First-Time Mothers in the Pandemic” by Caitlin Gibson

“At a Children’s Hospital, a Wave of Young Patients Struggling to Breathe” by Noah Weiland and Erin Schaff

“Poverty, Disease, Customs: Why So Many Indonesian Children Die of Covid”

 by Dera Menra Sijabat, Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 07:00:00 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/unexpected-rhythms-6dvxiL3D Send in a voice memo or note to: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

“The Strange and Lonely Transformation of First-Time Mothers in the Pandemic” by Caitlin Gibson

“At a Children’s Hospital, a Wave of Young Patients Struggling to Breathe” by Noah Weiland and Erin Schaff

“Poverty, Disease, Customs: Why So Many Indonesian Children Die of Covid”

 by Dera Menra Sijabat, Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono

]]> Unexpected Rhythms Misa Dayson, Veena Hampapur 00:41:29 Becoming a mother during the pandemic sometimes transforms the taken-for-granted aspects of parenthood into major milestones. Not so much milestones in terms of your child’s development, but your own transition into being seen and identifying as a parent. Misa and Veena talk about the unexpected rhythms of pandemic parenting, embracing their new identities as mothers, as well as coming back to themselves beyond being parents. Becoming a mother during the pandemic sometimes transforms the taken-for-granted aspects of parenthood into major milestones. Not so much milestones in terms of your child’s development, but your own transition into being seen and identifying as a parent. Misa and Veena talk about the unexpected rhythms of pandemic parenting, embracing their new identities as mothers, as well as coming back to themselves beyond being parents. pandemic motherhood, new parent, postpartum, desi, pandemic parenting, black women, pandemic babies no full 3 1 000d015a-c9dc-48b7-8092-3216aa3eb569 Seeking Mom Friends (for the End of the World?!) Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

“The Strange and Lonely Transformation of First-Time Mothers in the Pandemic” by Caitlin Gibson

“Matresence, Becoming a Mother, a ‘New/Old’ Rite de Passage” by Dana Raphael in Being Female: Reproduction, Power, and Change edited by Dana Raphael

Other Relevant Articles:

“Becoming a Parent During the Pandemic Was the Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done” by Sophie Gilbert

]]> Sun, 8 May 2022 15:42:40 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/seeking-mom-friends-for-the-end-of-the-world-EoIUhlf_ Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

“The Strange and Lonely Transformation of First-Time Mothers in the Pandemic” by Caitlin Gibson

“Matresence, Becoming a Mother, a ‘New/Old’ Rite de Passage” by Dana Raphael in Being Female: Reproduction, Power, and Change edited by Dana Raphael

Other Relevant Articles:

“Becoming a Parent During the Pandemic Was the Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done” by Sophie Gilbert

]]> Seeking Mom Friends (for the End of the World?!) Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson 00:38:28 New parenthood is often isolating. It can be hard to sort out how much of that aloneness is new parenthood in the U.S. in general, and how much of that is unique to the pandemic. What’s clear is how much we need each other — for community, for support, for role models. Misa and Veena discuss the loneliness of early parenthood and the often overlooked need to feel nurtured when stepping into motherhood. New parenthood is often isolating. It can be hard to sort out how much of that aloneness is new parenthood in the U.S. in general, and how much of that is unique to the pandemic. What’s clear is how much we need each other — for community, for support, for role models. Misa and Veena discuss the loneliness of early parenthood and the often overlooked need to feel nurtured when stepping into motherhood. pandemic motherhood, new parent, desi, covid19, black women, post partum, pandemic babies no full 2 1 2c23387a-2c6a-4c0c-b88b-3c54e8fd72b6 Peeling Back Layers of the Onion Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Books Mentioned in this Episode :

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong

I Want to be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:37:20 +0000 memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com (Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson) https://memos-from-motherhood.simplecast.com/episodes/peeling-back-layers-of-the-onion-evdqbjZR Send in a voice memo or note at: memosfrommotherhood@gmail.com

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Books Mentioned in this Episode :

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong

I Want to be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

]]> Peeling Back Layers of the Onion Veena Hampapur, Misa Dayson 00:39:40 What does it mean to say a mother is born when a baby is born, when your whole experience of parenthood has been isolated at home while it feels like the world is continually on fire? We are two years into the pandemic, and there hasn’t been space to process the ongoing crises — much less what it means to bring a life into the world at this time. Trained as anthropologists, long time friends Misa and Veena explain why they started this show, and the importance of taking the time to process becoming parents in 2020. What does it mean to say a mother is born when a baby is born, when your whole experience of parenthood has been isolated at home while it feels like the world is continually on fire? We are two years into the pandemic, and there hasn’t been space to process the ongoing crises — much less what it means to bring a life into the world at this time. Trained as anthropologists, long time friends Misa and Veena explain why they started this show, and the importance of taking the time to process becoming parents in 2020. pandemic motherhood, new parent, postpartum, desi, covid19, black women, pandemic babies no full 1 1