Welcome to Overdue.
If you’re a parent, or a fan of Serena Williams, you know that something is terribly wrong with the way our country treats mothers. Women today are 50 percent more likely to die in the time surrounding childbirth than our mothers were. As a mother and a journalist, I find this unacceptable.
Six years ago, I began covering the maternal health crisis for Politico Magazine. I wrote about rural hospitals closing their maternity wards, Black women dying at three times the rate of white women from pregnancy-related complications, and the need for better postpartum care. Then, in October 2020, I had a baby, and discovered things are far worse than I thought. That’s why I started this newsletter.
Is this a Mommy Blog?
No. This is an exploration of what’s missing from maternal health care, especially the part that comes after you give birth. That said, there will be some unsolicited advice on things like breastfeeding, sleep training, and embracing your Mom bod. I know many of you are exhausted parents, and these are things I wish someone explained to me when I was sleep-deprived and covered in spit-up.
Who are you?
I’m an award-winning investigative journalist based in North Carolina. In my 20-year career, I’ve covered everything from the rise and fall of Madison Cawthorn to the complex intersection of race and Native American identity. My work has appeared in the Washington Post Magazine (RIP), Politico Magazine, Harper’s, and Longreads, among many other outlets.
Why subscribe?
Each new post will be delivered straight to your inbox. Some topics will be serious—such as the new pill for postpartum depression—and others will be lighter, like de-mystifying pelvic floor therapy.
Right now, most posts are free. But upgrading to a $5/month subscription gives you special perks:
Share your birth story. If you’d like to set up an interview with me, or write your own story, learn more about the process here.
Participate in monthly chats. I’ll throw out a topic—about books we’re reading, adaptogenic seltzers we’re drinking, or Netflix specials that are helping us survive the winter—and we can discuss.
Access to exclusive, personal essays that give a sneak preview of my book.
If you pay $150 to support this woman-owned business, you’ll become a Founding Member and ensure this newsletter continues.
Thank you for joining a community of people who care about women’s health.
