In this episode, I interview a Nigerian immigrant mother who shares her raw and honest journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life in the United States. With refreshing candor, she reflects on entering motherhood with little preparation, relying instead on faith, mental resilience, and a deep belief that she would be okay.

From navigating pregnancy without traditional cultural practices to experiencing a supportive U.S. healthcare system, she walks us through the highs and challenges of her first pregnancy. She opens up about intense food cravings, physical discomfort, and the emotional realities of recovery after a C-section.

At the heart of her story is partnership. With no family nearby, it was just her and her husband figuring things out together—sharing responsibilities fully, supporting each other through sleepless nights, and learning how to care for their newborn as a team. Her story highlights what it means to build a “village” in the diaspora, even when it looks different from home. She also reflects on the critical role of faith, community, and information. She described how a single conversation led to accessing resources like emergency Medicaid, and how intentional relationships can shape maternal experiences in powerful ways.

This episode is funded by the 4W Initiative, and the African Center for Community Development supported the production.