In the 10th episode of the Peeling Potatoes Podcast, Frank and Janita welcome Aishat, a Nigerian nurse, midwife, and passionate women’s advocate. Aishat is the founder of Birth and Beyond, a platform dedicated to empowering women by sharing their stories and providing vital information on reproductive health—covering everything from fertility to postpartum care.
She explains that midwifery is far more than simply “catching babies”; it is about offering holistic support for women’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Drawing from her experiences in Nigeria, Aishat highlights the pervasive “culture of silence” surrounding women’s health issues in many African communities, where open conversations are rare and critical information is often inaccessible. This silence, she stresses, contributes to preventable tragedies such as maternal mortality, which could be avoided with timely education and support.
The conversation contrasts healthcare systems, illustrating the comprehensive maternal care available in Europe compared to the systemic challenges in Nigeria and other African nations, where access to quality care is frequently limited to the privileged few. Aishat advocates for a future where parenting is viewed as a shared responsibility between men and women, and where preventative healthcare and midwifery services are accessible to all, regardless of social or economic status.
Throughout the discussion, she underscores the healing and transformative power of storytelling—how sharing experiences can break the silence, build community, and empower women to seek the care and support they deserve. Driven by her mission to address these gaps, Aishat calls for improved education, better healthcare infrastructure, and greater societal support for women at every stage of their reproductive journey.
Join Aishat on her LinkedIn Page