3 Black-Owned Prenatal Care Brands
It is important to take extra care of yourself during your pregnancy journey, including postpartum. This is a daunting task when you’re not sure where to look to find what you need. This is especially true for women of color who face chronic conditions, implicit bias, and poor healthcare at disproportionate rates. The maternal mortality rate for black women is 3x the rate for white women. So in lieu of Black History Month, I will be sharing 3 black-owned feminine hygiene brands that offer quality prenatal care products.
The Honey Pot Company
- Postpartum Pads
- Incontinence Products
With its large selection of organic, plant-derived products, The Honey Pot prides itself in being “the first complete feminine care system powered by herbs.” CEO and Co-Founder Bea Dixon suffered from bacterial vaginosis for 8 months when she became enlightened by ‘a vision to heal herself.’ Hypoallergenic, clinically and dermatologist-tested, and gynecologist-approved, this black-owned, woman-owned, cruelty free business was built by people with vaginas for people with vaginas.
After giving birth, you can expect to experience heavy postpartum bleeding, or Lochia, which is composed of blood, mucus, and shedded uterine tissue. A pregnant body’s blood volume also increases by 45%. So after birth it is recommended that you use postpartum pads to account for any extra discharge or excess blood. The Honey Pot sells 12-count packs of cotton cover postpartum pads with wings. Designed to soothe and support. They are infused with mint, lavender, and aloe for a “cooling sensation.”
Also on the Honey Pot shop is a variety of Incontinence Products. Many first time pregnant women are surprised to discover that pregnancy can give you a leaky bladder. You may feel a pain in your bladder, then rush to the bathroom only to barely urinate at all. This is one of the ways in which a loss of bladder control, also called Urinary Incontinence, can impact your pregnancy experience. The Honey Pot sells a variety of scented incontinence pads and pantiliners with the same cooling factor but now including rose essential oils to ensure freshness.
CODDLE
- Postpartum Perineal Balm
- Sitz Bath
CODDLE was founded specifically to improve the postpartum experience. Founder and CEO Ruth Martin-Gordon is a wife and mother who was diagnosed with postpartum amenia and an umbilical hernia. Before her challenging first pregnancy, she didn’t even know someone could have postpartum ailments. Now a postpartum doula, Martin-Gordon has created a community to empower expectant mothers and creates safe, organic postpartum products. Coddle’s products are environmentally-friendly, “multi-purpose, multi-use and packaged in recyclable, reusable glass jars.” They are formulated with healing herbs backed by science as well as tradition, with ingredients inspired by traditions from African, Asian and Caribbean cultures.
CODDLE’s Postpartum Recovery Kit comes with plenty postpartum essentials, including nipple balm, massage oil, and milk tea for breastfeeding. It also comes with Perineal Balm and Sitz Bath. Perineal tearing is a very common occurrence that is expected to occur to some extent during childbirth, especially vaginal birth. Sometimes a midwife or obstetrician has to perform an episiotomy, a surgical incision of the perineum. In either case, Coddle’s perineal balm, formulated with peppermint and witch hazel, can help provide a soothing and cooling relief. You can also find relief from any itchiness, soreness or hemorrhoids with a sitz bath. This is popular postpartum healing technique also increases blood flow to promote faster healing.
4.5.6 Skin
- Hyperpigmentation Treatments
This skin care brand boasts a whole line of products aimed at reducing ‘hyperpigmentation, dullness, and dehydration, and sensitivity as it uniquely affects darker skin.’ 4.5.6 was founded from scratch by CEO Noelly Michoux, along with her co-founders, Dr. Charles Carlos, a board-certified dermatologist, and chief scientist, Imen Jerbi, who has spent 15 years in skin research. They built “the world’s first Skin Tone Research Lab to test, develop and manufacture high performance products based on the functional and physiological differences of phototypes IV, V, and VI.”
Melasma/Chloasma (hyperpigmentation) is a condition common for pregnant women wherein blotchy patches of darker skin develop. It is also referred to as “the mask of pregnancy” because these patches can appear around the whole face in the shape of an exfoliating mask. However they usually appear on the body as well. 4.5.6 has the perfect products to help pregnant women maintain healthy skin during and after childbirth. Its Hyperpigmentation Duo includes the Max Glow-Getter, a ‘firming radiance serum,’ and the Sevenly Delight, for ‘hyperpigmentation correction.’
Click the names of any of the three companies featured to be taken to their respective websites where you can find and shop for any of the prenatal care products listed. There are many amazing woman-owned, black-owned prenatal care brands, however these are just a few that I would personally like to recommend. Any support is welcome. Pregnancy is very challenging on the body and the mind, but it can be made easier if you practice self-care and remember that your health matters!
Sources:
Crider, Catherine. “Sitz Bath Postpartum: What You Want to Know after Giving Birth.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 11 Nov. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/sitz-bath-postpartum.
Dasher, Eva. “Skin Darkening during Pregnancy (Melasma or Chloasma).” BabyCenter, 30 June 2023, www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/skin-darkening-during-pregnancy-melasma-or-chloasma_222.
Moorer, Brenda Nicole. “Motherhood Is Filled with Pee: Managing Incontinence.” The Honey Pot – Feminine Care, The Honey Pot Company, thehoneypot.co/blogs/education/motherhood-is-filled-with-pee-managing-incontinence. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.
