Health and Wellness
Exclusive: Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins shares her journey to motherhood through IVF and faith
Ashley Nguyen
Although actress Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is understood for her role as Joelle Brooks on the Netflix series “Dear White People” and is a famous podcast host on the OWN network, she often describes herself as a vessel of faith for others, as she openly shares her faith with her audience on social media her journey to motherhood, how she maintains her mental health, and the intricacies of marriage. Recently online, Featherson-Jenkins detailed her IVF journey because she hoped to get pregnant after several years of infertility and was diagnosed with unexplained infertility after over a yr of trying to get pregnant naturally. In two Instagram videos, she highlights her pursuit of parenthood by sharing the seemingly intimidating technique of in vitro fertilization. The steps she discussed included pre-transfer acupuncture, PIO injections (progesterone injected oil, which helps thicken the liner of the uterus to prepare it for fertilization), and transfer of the embryos, which ultimately led to pregnancy.
During one among her Reels, she expressed disappointment with the transition to IVF. “I felt like my body was failing me and no one could tell me why.” But as she and her husband, Darroll Jenkins, delved into IVF, Featherson-Jenkins began to appreciate her body again. She said: “I did what I believed I could never do. I actually have endured countless injections, medications, surgeries, brain MRIs, and now to be on the opposite side and living within the midst of a miracle. The miracle she is talking about is her unborn daughter, who is predicted to be born in August. Featherson-Jenkins shares her journey in hopes of inspiring other women fighting infertility to know they are usually not alone, that there are such a lot of options available, and to keep the faith. She believes that being moms is our birthright and that it’s achievable.
Featherson-Jenkins is true; Black women are usually not alone when it comes to infertility and in search of additional options to get pregnant. In fact, according to the most recent data from Pew Research Center4 in ten adults (42%) say they’ve used infertility treatment or know someone who has. The survey shows that this percentage is up from 33% five years ago.
We talked to Featherson-Jenkins about her journey to motherhood, her experience with in vitro fertilization, and her advice for other women fighting infertility.
BEING: Tell us about your journey to motherhood.
Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins: It was a protracted journey. I call my journey in motherhood the pursuit of parenthood. You tend to go after what you wish.
We were open to having our first child after Darroll and I got married in September 2021. We had been trying to have a baby for 13 months with no success. We couldn’t understand why. During this time, several things were happening to me that doctors believed could have caused my infertility. I actually have hyperprolactinoma, which is a benign brain tumor that originates within the pituitary gland, which in a way tricks my body into considering that I would like to change into milky. I actually have had the tumor for about ten years, so my endocrinologist speculated that this may be the cause. Then I had PCOS. Finally, I had fibroids, but people have fibroids and get pregnant on a regular basis, and I also had fibroids removed. So my gynecologist, whom I really like, finally, after about 15 months, suggested making a change and seeing a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist. She really useful one to us, so we went to see him and that was in November 2022. And then I used to be diagnosed with what is known as unexplained infertility. We contacted a fertility specialist and he thought we were great candidates for IVF. At the height of 2023, I began hormone injections to prepare for egg retrieval.
It can be vital to keep in mind that men also suffer from infertility. It’s not all the time women. So my husband underwent semen evaluation to be sure he was OK.
Tell us in regards to the egg recovery process.
Our egg collection was successful. We received a lot of eggs and immediately began creating embryos. We also got a lot of embryos, about 17, which was a shock for us because we couldn’t get pregnant before, but my body responded positively to in vitro fertilization. So after we heard about embryos, we had to provide you with a comprehensive plan that included a break. I wanted to proceed working on myself, which meant losing a few pounds, managing my PCOS, and trying to come off medication for my brain tumor. I wanted to find a while to proceed working on myself. This was a bit an excessive amount of.
How does it feel to be pregnant and about to give birth after several years of trying?
My close friend Teyonah Parris participated in my Trials to Triumphs podcast. She talked about being pregnant with her daughter and how she couldn’t deal with it since it was such a miracle that she asked, “God, is this really happening to me?”
We have been within the parents’ travel zone for a few years. I remember saying this and telling myself, “I will do everything in my power to believe in a miracle once I am in it.” Pregnancy is the best miracle that has happened in my life.
I had to go through a variety of things that felt unnatural to me, whether it was all of the medications, brain scans, myomectomies, or countless doctor visits. There are so many things that felt unnatural to me because in some ways they were just so I could have a really healthy pregnancy. I now feel like my body is of course performing at its best and I’m so impressed with it. I’ve been through lots when it comes to my reproductive system. I’m incredibly grateful. I feel pleased with my body. There were so many things that doctors or people said that my body may not give you the chance to do.
I feel probably the most blessed I actually have ever felt right after my wedding day.
What excites you most about motherhood?
What excites me most is raising someone to be a incredible human being. I’m excited to meet my recent favorite person. I’m excited to connect with my mother differently and gain a good deeper understanding of her journey, who she is, and all that she has done for me.
What is your advice for Black women fighting infertility?
My advice to Black women fighting infertility is to know that you just are usually not alone. It’s easy to want to isolate yourself, but you are not alone. The smartest thing you possibly can do for yourself is to discover a community, even when it isn’t personal, or do what I did and go to TikTok to discover a community. I might also say that you’ve gotten a right to reply. Look for them, go to your doctors, see what your insurance covers, what specialist you possibly can see and what tests you possibly can do to discover what is happening. The best armor we are able to have within the fight against infertility is to know as much about ourselves as possible.
Health and Wellness
The daughter says that my mother “gave me life twice” with a kidney donation as a couple a graduate of nursing together
Over the years, Ambrealle Brown was forced to dizzy about becoming a nurse because of the life -threatening kidney disease that left her temporarily overpowered.
Among the inner doubts as as to if she ever returned to a normal life, Mother Brown entered and proposed the nerves. The doctors made the first robotic kidney transplant in Louisiana, giving Brown a again a probability to live, and Nija Butler is capable of see her daughter.
Almost two years after a successful transplant, mother and daughter from Louisiana shared one other journey. Putting white hats and dresses, they went through the stage throughout the Rouge Baton and graduated from the nursing school.
“As parents, we always tell our children, we would die for you, and children do not always understand this kind of love,” said 48 -year -old Butler. “I would give her something to live. I mean it from the bottom of my heart, without thinking.”
During the interview with The Associated Press last month, two women thought of their joint journey and challenges that they defeated.
The Mother-daughter duo from Louisiana has throughout the least times been close. Butler gave birth to a daughter when she was in highschool, as a result of which they grew up together. Butler poured into the upbringing of her daughter and son, and Brown planned to differ into a nurse.
But in 2016, when the brownie was diagnosed with a branch -like glomerular segmental (FSGS), a rare kidney disease that may cause kidney failure, all of the thing modified. Her prognosis quickly worsened. One day Brown, who took the required courses for a nursing school, felt her legs tightened to such an extent that she couldn’t move.
Shortly afterwards, the Brown doctor provided harmful messages: Brown would should begin out out out out dialysis or survive the kidney transplant. The average waiting for a kidney transplant throughout the US will even be from two to five years or longer, depending on some facets, based on data from the National Kidney Foundation.
Brown desperately hoped for a latest kidney. But when she waited for the news of the transplant, she was forced as an example to dialysis – treatment lasting from nine to 13 hours on on day-after-day basis basis. Brown’s on day-after-day basis life was limited and needed to stop school.
After years of dialysis, butler said that she saw a change in her daughter, who was normally optimistic.
“It was as if she wanted to give up,” butler remembered about a telephone conversation with her daughter. “She was simply tired of connecting to the tube that her life rotated.”
Although the doctors had previously told Butler that he was probably not a match to differ into a kidney donor for his daughter, she still planned a meeting to be tested the following day. She decided not to tell her daughter, not wanting to lift hope in case it wasn’t a real match.
Soon after, Brown got news that she waited five years to take heed to – she got a latest kidney. She called her mother to tell her, but her mother already knew. Measured, Brown asked his mother how she would know.
“It’s me,” said Butler.
They each underwent surgery in March 2023, when the Tulane University of Medicine Tulane did the first kidney transplantation using a robotic surgical system. Practice offers increased precision, as a result of which the procedure is barely invasive, hoping that there shall be less pain and faster recovery.
After a successful operation, Brown turned to highschool. Her mother also decided to amass a license of her registered nurse.
For 16 months they were attached to the hip. They sat together, studied together, and in April they achieved the Rouge General School of Nursing Baton together.
“I couldn’t do it without her because the nursing school is difficult,” said 34 -year -old Brown. “I am glad that I could go through this milestone with her side by side.”
Brown took up work on the Burns Intensive Care Department, and Butler continues his occupation in a psychiatric institution.
Ladies hope that their story inspires others to resign, and as well as disseminated awareness of the importance of medical research as well as the donor and transplant process.
“Thank you for gave me life twice,” said Brown to her mother. “I have to repeat it because you gave me a second chance to live, and most people don’t get slide.”
Butler wiped the tear and said without skipping the rhythm: “And I would do it again.”
(Tagstranslatate) black health and well -being
Ghettos
Putting and turning into bed and random waking up at night is uncomfortable, but as compared with night sweat it could take the dough. Perhaps you suffered from night sweats once on a blue moon or more often; Despite the term, it have to be examined.
Although many different variables could cause night sweats, akin to menopause, home environment (temperature) or drinking alcohol, there’s also also more serious causes, akin to disease (infections and even cancer). To understand why we can sweat in a dream, we should check with several potential causes and prioritize the planning of a medical visit with a basic healthcare provider to know the cause. Talk to your doctor, in case you incessantly experience night sweats and throughout the event that they start to influence the usual of sleep, incessantly life or general health. When meeting a physician, give them problems or concerns about sleep so that you simply just just simply simply simply just just simply simply simply simply simply just just simply just just just simply simply just simply just simply just just just simply just just simply just just simply simply just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply simply just just simply simply just just just just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just just just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply just just simply simply simply just simply just simply simply just simply simply simply just just just just just just simply just just simply simply just just just just just simply simply just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just just simply simply just simply simply simply just just just just just just just simply simply simply simply simply just just simply just just simply just simply just simply simply simply just simply just simply just just simply simply simply just simply just just just simply just just just just just just just just simply simply just just just simply just simply just simply simply just just just simply just simply just just just just simply simply simply just just just simply just simply just just just just just simply simply just simply just simply simply just simply just just simply simply just just just just just simply just simply simply just simply simply simply simply simply simply just simply just simply just just simply just just simply simply simply simply simply simply just simply simply simply simply simply just just just simply just just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just simply simply just simply simply simply simply just just just simply simply simply just simply just simply simply just just just just simply just just simply simply just simply just simply just simply simply simply just simply just just simply simply just simply just simply just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply just just just simply just just just just simply simply simply simply just just just simply just simply simply just simply simply just simply just simply just simply simply simply just just just just just simply simply would supply you with with with the selection to be monitored for sleep apnea or insomnia. See the potential the rationale why you’d offer you the selection to sweat in a dream.
Monitor your sleeping environment: By experiencing night sweat, it’ll be vital to contemplate the sleeping environment. Think about these questions: where do you incessantly sleep? How many blankets do you likely can have? What is the temperature in your private home and bedroom? If you sweat while sleeping, attempt to adapt the sleep environment to make it cooler.
Hormonal problems: According to Sleep foundationSweating is normal and integral throughout the adjustment of the body temperature. However, in case you sweat an excessive amount of, you’d offer you the selection to experience hormonal irregularities. According to National Center for Biotechnology, as much as 64% Women often report sleep problems and higher insomnia indicators during perimenopause and menopause.
Neurological problems: The reason for night sweats may thoroughly be conditions affecting the nervous system, akin to stroke or Parkinson’s disease (nerves threatened with the brain and spinal cord, which extend to the remaining of the body. In addition, all serious damage or injuries of the spinal cord can potentially cause night sweats.
Potential sleep disorders: Although it has not been proven that sleep disorders, Sleep foundation He informed that a third of people with obstructive sleep apnea (wasp) tends to occur regular night sweats – like people WASP Have difficulty respiratory while sleeping, causing drops of oxygen levels throughout the blood which could produce night sweats.
See easy ways to attempt to stop sweating in a dream:
Monitor the sleep environment: Try to make your bedroom cool. Spread the window or sleep with a light-weight fan to make sure that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that the sleeping zone mustn’t be highly regarded.
Try to sleep naked: If you sweat at night, try sleeping naked or minimal pajamas.
Consume fluid: Drink a glass of cold water before bedtime, not alcohol.
Think about what you eat: Try to avoid caffeine, spicy food and hot drinks before bedtime.
Align your fitness routine: Exercises during the day or early throughout the evening, but not only before bedtime.
Health and Wellness
The study states that ingredients causing cancer in many products sold to black women
The recent study reveals that greater than half of black women and Latina repeatedly surveyed in Los Angeles Use personal hygiene products containing known cancer cancer.
Journal Lists of environmental sciences and technology published Study at On March 7, revealing that out of 64 women surveyed, 53% reported using shampoos, nutrients, whitening creams, eyelash glue and other products containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde components that are known cause cancer in humans.
“It is really disturbing that we deliberately place chemicals that release a carcinogenic factor to our products that we use every day”, ” Robin Dodson, Deputy Director for Research in Silent Spring Institutenon -research process, examining the environmental causes of breast cancer NPr.
ResearcherS collected data in 2021 disproportionately exposed For formaldehyde in cosmetic products compared to white women. Experts suspected that the frequent use of chemical hair loosens containing formaldehyde releases by black women is one in all the the reason why they die of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer At much higher rates than their white counterparts.
In a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EEC), non -profit organizations, environmental agency, Scientists found that from 4011 personal hygiene products sold to black women, only 21% They were evaluated as a low threat in EWG’s Skin Deep® Cosmetics database.
The FDA announced its plans to propose a formaldehyde ban in 2023. The proposed ban was geared toward protect From health threats with chemical use. The agency planned to implement a proposal in April 2024, but he met with many delays. Last yr, EEC condemned FDA for his failure implement the ban.
“Despite the overwhelming evidence of formaldehyde risks during hair treatment, the FDA did not consistently work definitely,” EEC wrote in a press release.
From May 2025, the agency has not implemented the proposalEd Ban. Europe banned formaldehyde as a cosmetic component in 2009.
(Tagstranslatate) black women
