A Grapefruit-Sized Fibroid Kept Singer Amerie From Having A Natural Birth
Since her debut in 2002, Amerie has used her platform to develop a multifaceted career path that makes her not only a chart-topping artist, but a best-selling author and vlogger. In January, the singer revealed that she would be adding "mommy" to her list of accomplishments, and gave birth to her son, River Rowe Charles L. Nicholson, in May.
She recently released a video where she shared her birthing story for the first time, and detailed the complications she experienced during labor.The "One Thing" singer said that she had a vision for her birthing plan that did not include a C-section, but a grapefruit-sized obstruction from her past had other plans. In 2015, Amerie was diagnosed with a uterine fibroid that had been illusive to her until her doctor noticed a bulge above her pelvis. She said:
"I didn't even know it was there, which is quite unusual because it was almost the size of a grapefruit."
Despite her unwillingness to have surgery to get the fibroid removed, Amerie chose to go through with the procedure after hearing her doctor's warnings. She said that by keeping the fibroid, she would risk delivery complications if when and if she decided to conceive in the future. She continued:
"Because of the size and because fibroids get bigger when you're pregnant, it would get really uncomfortable and possibly cause early delivery."
To avoid any further health complications, the singer had a myomectomy the same year to have the fibroid removed, but the effects of her procedure lasted long after the surgery.
When she discovered that she was pregnant, doctors told Amerie that it would be incredibly dangerous to have a vaginal birth, which originally was an unsettling thought for the singer. The incision that was made to remove her fibroid made it impossible to give birth naturally without labor complications. After becoming better informed of the risks by her doctor, what was even more unsettling to the soon-to-be mother was the idea of her womb rupturing.
Her C-section was done 39 weeks into her pregnancy, and despite her original fears, went better than she could have ever imagined.
"He was like reaching out to me and it was the most amazing thing."
"He put his hand against the clear drape, and I had my hand there and he grasped my finger. He wrapped his hand around my finger. I'll never forget that for the rest of my life."
The new mother says that although her birth story is unconventional and nothing like she expected, it was worth every moment. Initially, like all mothers, Amerie had her worries about recovery and the baby's health.
"Our son was born 6 pounds and 12.8 ounces. So he was smaller, he wasn't too big. He felt so fragile. I was kind of looking forward to him gaining a little weight because I just felt nervous because he was so small."
She said that her C-section recovery was much easier than she expected and baby River is growing at a healthy pace. Amerie reminds us to stay up on our reproductive health because fibroids are sneaky bastards that can change our plans for good if we aren't careful.
To watch the full video, click here.
Featured image via Amerie/Instagram
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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