From New York to Ghana: Vanessa Gyan's Journey Through Motherhood and Maternal Health Advocacy

Meet Vanessa Gyan, a media professional who founded Modern Day Mom Ghana and is the CEO of The Sincerely Vee Foundation. Her life took an unexpected turn when a brief holiday visit to Ghana in 2012 became a permanent relocation. Now, eleven years later, Vanessa shares the powerful birth stories that shaped her journey as a mother of three and launched her mission as a maternal health advocate.

Vanessa's maternal journey spans continents, with her three children's births taking place in New York City, even though she resides in Ghana. While her first two deliveries went relatively smoothly, her third pregnancy revealed the fragility of maternal health when she experienced bleeding at two months and learned she had initially been carrying twins. Complications mounted as her pregnancy progressed, requiring a medical procedure in Ghana before traveling to New York City, where her water broke at just 28 weeks. After weeks of hospitalization on strict bed rest, Vanessa delivered her daughter via emergency C-section at nearly 32 weeks, followed by a month-long NICU stay and significant recovery complications.

These experiences gave Vanessa profound insight into maternal healthcare systems across two countries, but a disturbing reality in Ghanaian hospitals truly transformed her purpose. She discovered that mothers who cannot pay their medical bills are detained in hospitals after giving birth, unable to leave with their babies. Even more heartbreaking, women who have lost their babies during childbirth may be detained in rooms with mothers who have healthy newborns until they can pay their bills.

For nearly eight years, Vanessa's NGO has worked tirelessly to discharge these detained mothers by paying their hospital bills, providing educational resources, hosting free baby showers, and supporting both mothers and fathers through the transition to parenthood. Working primarily with a small team and through community fundraising, she has maintained this vital work consistently, becoming a lifeline for vulnerable mothers.

If Vanessa's story and mission move you, connect with her on Instagram at @vanessa_gyan or  Vanessa_Gyan to learn how you can support her maternal health initiatives in Ghana. 

Music Credit

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/catching-up-the-future

https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/all-seasons

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/sunny-stroll

Chapters

• 0:19 Welcome to Maternal Wealth Podcast
• 1:06 Meet Vanessa Jan: NYC to Ghana
• 6:55 First Birth Story in New York
• 14:57 Second Pregnancy and Delivery
• 22:02 Third Birth: Complications and NICU
• 39:20 Postpartum Transition Coach Journey
• 1:01:30 Supporting Detained Mothers in Ghana
• 1:05:30 Episode Closing and Contact Information