Postpartum Resources to Support You in Life After Birth
HELP FOR EVERY POSTPARTUM WOMAN
Have you ever felt alone in your postpartum experience?Ever wondered if anyone else feels the way you do?Have you felt not like yourself?Do you find yourself wishing you could just know that someone sees and understand you?Are you wondering if there are postpartum resources that can help you in this season?
I get it, this season can fell lonely AF. But truth is, you’re not alone. There are resources to support you, whatever your postpartum needs are.
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Being a New Mom is Hard
It can be a struggle to find helpful postpartum resources. The American society seems to be obsessed with how quickly things can “return to normal” and make it look like transitions and changes are minimal with the addition of a new baby and a family dynamic shift. With quick google searches, you can find all the info about the baby, but all too often it feels like mom is overlooked.
We have resources, apps, classes, and more for pregnancy. We have childbirth classes and ways to practice breathing and visualization during labor and birth. These are great, but what about the hours, days, weeks, months, and years after birth? The postpartum stage is still elusive and unsupported in many ways.Through conversations and surveys with hundreds of women, the sentiment is the same: Postpartum feels lonely, competitive, and confusing. Women are suffering in many ways because they don’t feel safe to have “imperfect” experiences. Women are suffering because there is growing pressure and not enough support.
RELATED: Where We Learn about Postpartum
FEELING ALONE AFTER BABY?
Momma- I want you to know you aren’t alone. Ever. No matter how it might feel. I want you to know the tears you cry aren’t shameful and the confusion you’re experiencing is okay. I want you to know that even in a society that fills your screen with images that look blissful and perfect, that isn’t the truth. You are already enough. It’s okay if you need more support- honestly, we all do, it’s just that it takes strength and bravery to step out and ask for it. You are strong and can reach out for help.
After my first baby, I didn’t know where to look for resources. I didn’t know where I could turn for a look at honest motherhood and postpartum. (This is why I’m so committed to keeping things real on my own Instagram- not curated beautiful squares.) Personally, I thought I had to fight like hell to have it all “put together” and I was so tired and worn from it.I don’t want you to be that mom striving for an image that doesn’t bring peace and joy. I don’t want you to be wondering if there is something wrong with you. Never do I want you to feel alone in any struggle. This is why I’m sharing the resources I think EVERY postpartum woman needs to know about- resources for body image, mental health, emotional transitions, and more. Chances are, one (or more) of these resources can bring light to your life, and I want that for you, momma friend!PS: I share a TON of resources and provide feedback and coaching in Motherhood Unlocked: Your First Year.
If we have missed a resource you know of, please let us know so we can add it to the list! We want this to be a comprehensive list that points mommas in the direction they need.
Pregnant? Check out the Preventing Postpartum Depression Course
Preventing Postpartum Depression Course
Abby is a licensed psychotherapist and has been a maternal health professional for over 20 years. Through her work, she saw a need and knew that she had to do more to help. That is why the Prevent Postpartum Depression course was born.
Prevent Postpartum Depression is an online, self-paced course that was designed to help you prepare for a happy and healthy Fourth Trimester. In the course, you will learn the skills and strategies to prevent anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum, in the fourth trimester and beyond.
POSTPARTUM EMPOWERMENT/SUPPORT GROUP COACHING
Motherhood Unlocked: Your First Year
This group is not clinical or medical but coach-led and created for the mom who wants a space to discuss the parts of postpartum that often go undiscussed and leave us feeling alone. The group addresses physical, mental, emotional, relational, and personal identity transitions in postpartum. This is the space for you to grow through this season of transitions.
Postpartum Resources for Body Image
This is a real-life look at the bodies of mothers. This project is aimed at normalizing the changed body and restoring pride in what a woman does through the process of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Girls Gone Strong emphasizes the necessary rest and recovery after childbirth. Their approach is nurturing to the new mom and includes taking the time needed instead of rushing back into exercise and diet. They speak to combat society's pressures of the “bounce back” and give ways to reconnect with your body.
Postpartum Resources for Maternal Mental Health
DARE Response App
This app was created with techniques and practices to help you overcome anxiety and panic attacks. The format is easy to follow, the guided practices are calming and empowering, and having it as an app on your phone means you can stop and re-center no matter where you are.
Located in New Jersey, the Bloom Foundation provides in-person support, however, there are amazing resources on their site anyone can benefit from. Their blog and survivor stories are incredibly insightful and normalizing and they have free downloadables to help you navigate your journey.
The Motherhood Center/Scary Mommy Collaboration
Sometimes we need to see other stories to realize we aren't alone and we aren't doing it wrong. This is a beautiful collaboration between a center in New York and Scary Mommy. These stories bring to light what we so often leave as taboo.
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (Formerly 2020 Mom)
A leader in closing gaps in maternal mental health care through education, advocacy, and collaboration. You can find resources, events to be involved in, advocacy opportunities, and more through this site.
Cherished Mom
Cherished Mom works to promote awareness and education for perinatal mental health and the importance of self-care to new moms, families, healthcare professionals, and the community. They provide free self-care boxes to new moms after they view a series of educational videos surrounding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Motherhood Sessions Podcast
This podcast from Dr. Alexandra Sacks lets you "sit in" on a therapy session. The conversation exchange between patient and doctor is extremely insightful.
Postpartum Support International
PSI provides resources, directs you to where you can find help locally, and is a leading training agency for postpartum mental health. They have a helpline you can call and be connected to helpful resources. They also provide online support meetings.
Perinatal Psychiatry Programs
If you’re experiencing mental health symptoms and need intensive treatment, there are inpatient and outpatient programs across the country to serve your needs.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking of suicide, get help quickly.
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Call your doctor.
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Contact 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.
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Call the toll-free 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889).
Are you currently pregnant and wondering how to prepare for postpartum? I took some of the work of your plate. Grab this Free Postpartum Plan Checklist to make sure you have your bases covered.
