Summer Walker is getting candid about the realities of Black maternal health.
During a recent interview with Mariah The Scientist for her Over It Radio show, the singer, 29, opened up about a near-death birthing experience.
“The second one, it sucked bad. Real bad,” Walker told her guest. “But believe it or not, the second birth was shorter than the first one.”
The multi-award-winning artist had her first child, Bubbles Renee Walker, with producer London on Da Track back in 2021, then gave birth to twin boys with LVRD Pharoh at the end of 2022. Walker chose home births for all of her deliveries.
“That s—t was bad. All of it’s bad,” she said, adding that giving birth to her twins the second time around took “seven hours” whereas the birth of her first child was over 52 hours long.
“I almost died both times,” she shared.
When Mariah asked if Walker would do it again, Walker said, “Yes,” without hesitation.
Walker has been vocal about Black maternal health and is an avid advocate for parental rights.
In January last year, the “Tell Me It’s Over” singer shared a reel advocating for federal paid leave. She also partnered with Bobble, an organic baby formula brand, to support fundraising efforts for families in need.
“One in four women living in the US returns to work within two weeks of giving birth. At two weeks, I was just beginning to physically, mentally, and emotionally heal from giving birth, so to know that parents are going back to work in this fragile state is just devastating,” Walker’s caption read.
“It’s time for the government to pick up the slack. 84% of all Americans support federal paid leave, and yet 73% of private sector employees don’t have it.”
“This is why I’m proud to partner with @bobbie to help put money in the pockets of families who need it: $580, to be exact—the minimum monthly benefit under the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, if passed,” she continued.
“All you have to do is tell us your leave story and what $580 would mean to you. Link in our bio to apply. This is no way sponsored by Instagram. Applications are open until January 26, 2024. #parentspushharder #passpaidleave #bobbiepartner.”
