043: My Pregnancy Story – W/ Dr. Temitope Ekwo

Happy New Year fam! 2021 taught me so many lessons! I experienced so many twists and turns, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my life will turn out the way it did by the end of the year! Whether it be a lesson learnt or an experience I had, my story can not be complete without acknowledging the strength of a woman; THE AFRICAN WOMAN! This week, I'd love to share my pregnancy story with you! Again, this is one of those moments where I have to brace myself to be vulnerable, which I must admit, I am still getting used to. Nonetheless, I have to remind myself about the power of vulnerability and owning my story. You see, it’s not that other women don’t deserve appreciation, but African/black women are more likely to encounter fertility-related issues than women of other races. So I know many of my sisters may relate to  my story and this will be the start of creating a safe space for us to empower and encourage each other to know that we are not alone!  MEET OUR GUESTS Dr. Temitope Ekwo is a board-certified OB/GYN who was born and raised in Providence, RI where she lived until moving to Washington D.C after high school. She frequently participates in activities within the community to increase patient awareness and education regarding woman’s health issues. Dr. Ekwo is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as a member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians and Texas Medical Association. Her clinical interests include adolescent and teen gynecology, high-risk obstetrics, minimally invasive procedures, outpatient surgeries, contraception, pelvic pain, menopause, health maintenance, and general gynecology. Dr. Ekwo and her staff take pride in providing extraordinary care to their patients during all stages of a woman’s life. Things You Will Learn in This Episode:  [00:01 – 04:42] Introduction Introducing the guest and sharing a brief background on my story [04:42 – 27:00] My First Pregnancy Story My first pregnancy and its complications Explaining terminologies associated with my story Extensive education on what happened to my pregnancy My horrific experience with miscarriage and hospitalization Signs & Symptoms of Miscarriages [27:00 – 44:00] My Second Pregnancy Story My fears of getting pregnant Meeting my OB/GYN - Dr. Temitope Getting Diagnosis of a possible infertility issue Explaining terminologies associated with my diagnosis The IVF procedure that never happened I got pregnant! [44:00 – 53:00] My Pregnancy Journey So Far The pain & random bleeding  Common symptoms of pregnancy Recommendations for pregnant women in Africa Methods of delivery and their Pros/Cons [53:00 – 56:00] Final Discussions Dr. Ekwo's advice to the community Anyoh shares her last words How to connect with the guest Tweetable Quotes: “To every woman out there - You may have a different story, but I hope we can relate somehow and be more open to sharing our experiences. Most importantly, I hope that we can learn to be more kind and show empathy to one another because we are all fighting battles that nobody knows about." - Anyoh Fombad   LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out the best content just for you! Connect with Dr. Temitope Ekwo: Phone: (713) 799-9900 // Address: Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology // 7400 Fannin St Ste 1200 – Houston, TX 77054 – Physician locations Connect with Living African Podcast You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at [email protected]. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).