Have you ever felt like you just didn't know what was the next step on your journey?  Today's guest, Candace Guppy-Sobion, shares that unforgettable moment when God shared His plan with her. A fellow Trinbagonian, Candace is well-known for her career endeavors in party and travel planning as director of Candy Coated Experiences, but nothing could have prepared her for her greatest adventure to date. Interested in connecting with Candace? See her contact details: Candace Guppy Sobion ...

Today’s guest, Korena Darnelle, is a native of one of the most influential island developing states in our region, Barbados.  Korena is a singer, writer, birth and lifestyle photographer and a fellow podcaster.  Korena is one of two Caribbean women I’ve interviewed this season who have so masterfully scripted their experiences of pregnancy and birth. Listen as she gives us a tease of what's in store in her publication: Gimme a Home Birth: The Birth Story I Didn't Expect.

Hi guys! It’s the second part of Amoy’s story and I can’t wait for you to have a listen.  We hear how giving birth has changed her outlook on life, yes, I promise you, it’s not all a bed of roses. She’s open about her challenges with breastfeeding and not giving up despite not finding the kind of support she would have expected from traditional medicine.  If you’re a new mom struggling with breastfeeding Amoy gives some invaluable tips on what to look out for even when you seem to be doing...

Welcome back! The format of today’s episode is different in that my guest, Amoy Jacques, is actually pregnant at the time of this recording.  So, for the first time on Caribbean Birth Stories we get to hear from a pregnant woman about her expectations, fears, anxieties just before she gives birth.  In addition, Amoy’s journey to pregnancy was not a smooth one and we both hope her story offers optimism to the listener who may also be having a difficult time trying to conceive. Interested in...

It is with great pleasure I introduce today’s guest, Dr. Shari-Ann James, licensed Psychologist and certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional.  It was vital that I include Dr. James on season 3 because it has become abundantly clear that our mental health as parents, women, mothers, daughters has been stretched compounded by a global pandemic.  Dr. James shares some practical tools that can be used immediately to help calm the storm of our thoughts, I mean she literally demonstrates one...

So much has changed since I recorded this episode. At the time of recording, Kieron Pollard held the prestigious position of Windies T20 and One-day cricket captain.  However, on April 20th 2022, Polly (as he is affectionately called by many West Indian fans) announced his retirement from international cricket.  Well that one hit me for 6! Pun intended That announcement made my interview with him even more meaningful as we explored the significance of becoming a father and making difficult...

When was the last time you met someone and it felt like you knew them for a lifetime?  Well that pretty much sums up my chat with Lisa...easy, engaging and informative!   Lisa is an award-winning TV broadcaster & reporter who currently works as the host for ‘Taste the Islands’, an international culinary adventure show streaming on Amazon Prime TV. She is also entering her 12th season as the host of ‘School Duel’ a premier high school academic game show in South Florida. As a TV host and...

My guest, Jihan Williams, takes us on an emotional journey, describing in crystal clear terms her initial struggle with infertility and the associated challenges when there is no explanation. "What's wrong with me now?" leads to an unexpected answer. Unfortunately, this story, doesn't follow a familiar trajectory. Jihan is straightforward in acknowledging that there is nothing you can say to a woman who has recently suffered a loss to make her feel better, but you can certainly make her...

Today’s episode is the second part of my fiery chat with Daniella, Kiola and Naette.  If you haven’t yet listened to part one, please check out episode 22 before listening to this one.  These three ladies discuss the sacrifices that they have made in their lives, with a major one being not residing in their place of birth, yet they’ve been able to find joy and peace as they navigate parenthood.   Here are the beautiful songs mentioned by the ladies:   “Before the Day Star” by Kobo Town:...

Today’s episode felt like a stroll down the famous, some may say infamous, Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.  It had been a while since I last chatted amongst a group of Trinbagonians, even if it was virtually, the banter was so invigorating that the energy was palpable, listen and tell me if you felt it too.  This fireside, sometimes bonfire, chat was centered around the fact that we are all raising a child (or children) outside of the Caribbean, and in many ways, I...

Welcome to part 2 of the Season finalé!  In this episode we jump straight into the nitty gritty of the postpartum period from both parents' perspective. Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_ @steadyimagemediagroup YouTube: search Chanol Ottley Allen

Surprise! Today’s episode is my treat to you my wonderful listeners.  Many of you have asked me “when do we get to hear your birth story Chanol?” so it is with great pleasure I share our birth story with you today. My husband, Adrian, joins me on today’s episode reminding us that men do need support during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as the emotional toll during this transitionary period for both persons can feel overwhelming. I recruited one of my most articulate, jovial and clever...

As many of you know Trinidad and Tobago has been hailed as the land of steelband, calypso, limbo, parang, chutney, soca and carnival.  So it is with great excitement I welcome today's guest, Anya Elias former bandleader of Spice Carinval band and a private section owner and designer at Tribe carnival, to Caribbean Birth Stories. As the title of today's episode suggests, Anya's path to motherhood has been anything but bland and I am truly in awe of her strength in steering her way through...

What do you do when the obstacles seem to get in your way of manifesting the family you’ve dreamed of?  My guest on today’s episode walks us down her path from Catholicism to Islam on her journey to motherhood.  Kristy is authentic and brave in our chat, discussing how choosing a person of a different faith to her own impacted the decisions she has made in parenting. We also discuss: - Being pregnant during a pandemic - The differences between singleton and twin pregnancies   - The power...

We ended off episode 16 with my guest Chantal describing how her mother supported her choice to not have children and the impact that abscence of parental pressure had on her journey. Let's tune in to hear what Lani and Jan Yves have to contribute to the discussion! No surprise, these ladies stumped me with my own question, I promise to reveal my song choice in the season finalé, so stay tuned. Find the ladies: Chantal @theclrcode on IG, Lani www.mooredaisely.com and Dr. Jan Yves Remy on...

Yes, this podcast is about Caribbean women narrating their story of giving birth, but what about the Caribbean women who choose not to have children or circumstances have never aligned to have a child, these same women may be bombarded with THE question...'any children yet?' Well, my guests Chantal, Lani and Jan Yves do not disappoint in today’s first fireside chat; sharing with us their deeply personal, candid and sometimes provocative points of view of being a young woman in the Caribbean...

Nicosia (or you can just call her Nic) is a time management strategist and Attorney-at-Law. Nicosia hails from the Cayman Islands and tells us all about delivering her baby in Hong Kong. As a time management strategist, Nicosia helps her clients manage the use of their time in an effective, efficient and productive manner. You can keep up with Nicosia on her blog at www.justcallmenic.com and on Instagram @justcallmenic Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard...

Dr. Juan Michelle Martin is a licensed Physical Therapist of 14 years with an extensive background in patient care and competitive athletics.  She formed JMM Health Solutions with a focus on pelvic floor dysfunction in adults and children and provides services in Atlanta and many other U.S. states and International locations. On the heels of episode 13, Dr. Martin is clear about the need for partnered support education and training and believes that becoming a mom drove her passion for...

When one reads or listens to a birth story, typically it is through the lens of the mother/birthing parent.  Very rarely are we exposed to the narrative of real experiences through the eyes of fathers/ non-birthing parents.  In today’s episode we shift perspectives, and hear HIS story, meet Carver Bacchus.  When their birth plan doesn’t go according to plan, Carver describes how he felt in that moment as well as how the miracle of birth changed him as a person.  Listening to Carver, had me...

Anna is brutally honest about her experience of infertility; admitting her personal struggle has compelled her to champion the needs and voices of other women facing infertility.  Anna underscores many powerful points, the most significant of which is the power of our words. Whether you are a medical professional, a therapist, a cousin or a stranger we must be more considerate and empathetic with our words. Here is how Anna suggests we can display greater sensitivity to anyone dealing with...

Many millennials are faced with the question; can I have a successful career as well as a fulfilling family life? Career vs. family…do we even have a choice in the matter? My first guest, Kimberly, shares her insights on how she continues to find balance.  Kimberly is quite open about the realities of choosing to have a live-in nanny in the Caribbean where it is uncommon and in some instances, she feels, frowned upon.  Nevertheless, there are many lessons shared not just for expectant and...

It’s our season finalé!!! Thank you so much for following, sharing and rating Caribbean Birth Stories.  Today’s episode doesn’t disappoint, I couldn’t wait to share this particular story because I truly had no clue about the plot twist, no spoilers promise, you have to listen till the very end. Dr. Melissa Francis is an intelligent, warm and free-spoken friend who jumped at the opportunity to share the intimate details of her birth story; never even shared with some of her family or...

It takes a village not only to raise a child but to also give birth to a mother.  Renée empahsizes this throughout her story. Renée is candid about her struggle with depression following a diagnosis of endometriosis.  Can you visualize barbed wire wrapped around your pelvic area and it then being ignitied by fire? That's how Renée describes the pain she felt from months 4 - 7 of her pregnancy! This is only a glimpse into the trials of this endowarrior on her journey to motherhood. Listen to...

It’s such a pleasure to introduce this week’s guest, Beena Persad-Harris. Beena is a midwife and baby birth educator from Trinidad and Tobago. Founder of Hello Baby TT; a midwife led, doula supported center offering services to help prepare and support expectant parents through pregnancy birth and baby. If you’ve ever wondered what the differences were between a midwife and an OBGYN, Beena explains. For more information, you can visit the Hello Baby TT website at: www.hellobabytt.com.