The Birth of Baby September

On a sunny, Palm Sunday afternoon Taliah gave birth to baby September in her Clinton Hill, Brooklyn apartment. Aware of the alarmingly high mortality and morbidity risks Black women continue to face during and after birth in hospitals, Taliah insisted on delivering her baby in the safety and comfort of her own home with her husband, Roger, and her team of Black birth workers as her support team. Some of her family was not on board with the idea. "I did it," Taliah said while stroking baby September's hair. "They didn't think I could do it but I did it."

Taliah (right) receives counter pressure from her doula, Abena, while midwife Annalee and her assistant input Taliah's vitals

Taliah's husband, Roger, multitasks while providing updates to their family and assisting doula Abena with support through contractions.

Midwife Annalee observing the wave of Taliah's contractions.

Preparing the birthing pool

Filling the birthing pool

Timing contractions

Annalee's assistant midwife monitored baby's heart rate to make sure everything continued progressing without complications.

Silent prayer

Taliah and Roger

comfort from the birth team

A part of keeping Taliah as comfortable as possible was making sure she stayed hydrated with tea, water. She was also given yogurt to help keep her energy up.