Blog

Strategies to manage the roller coaster of emotions following the birth of a child is often an afterthought. So much time is spent preparing for baby, from planning the nursery, to investing in all the gear for breast-feeding, and so little focus is placed on the mother’s postpartum recovery. Social support is a powerful way to address postpartum needs and provides a reminder that you are not alone in your postpartum challenges. While community can significantly aid in your healing, hearing about other moms’ anxieties can also add to yours.

In this post, we’ll consider what kind of social support can help prevent postpartum depression and anxiety ...

There are very few situations in life as heartbreaking as miscarriage. Likely, you and your partner were overjoyed with the news of a new baby and immediately started planning the details of your expanding family. You most likely shared the news with close friends and family and the announcement was met with congratulatory messages and excitement.

The news of a miscarriage might feel unbearable, especially for mom, as there can be a sense ...

New motherhood is a time of radical change. From a changing body to a changing list of responsibilities to a changing sleep schedule, successfully navigating this time is about being flexible and accepting change. It’s natural to overcome the challenges that accompany this change by reaching out to peers, parents, friends and even neighbors for advice and insight. In fact, your situation is normalized when you can talk openly about the uncertainty that is characteristic of new motherhood. However, what happens when you are faced with a great deal of unwanted advice? As these conversations unfold, it’s not uncommon to be inundated by too much advice, or advice from ...

Postpartum can be a time of mixed emotions. While there is most likely joy surrounding your newborn baby, those positive feelings can sometimes be accompanied by feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, and even sadness. Oftentimes, it might feel difficult to talk about some of these feelings in a society that generally views the birth of a new baby as a positive, joyous experience. While family and your partner can be great support during this time, here are some telltale signs that hiring a postpartum doula would be beneficial:

You feel depleted

It’s no doubt that the postpartum period can be very physically taxing for a woman, and even a ...

One of the most challenging decisions as a new parent is whether or not to go back to work and leave your new bundle of joy in the care of someone else. Deciding to stay home with baby is one of the first, significant parenting decisions you’ll face, and there are several factors to consider -- some of which you might not immediately think about. In this post, we’ll look at three factors to consider when making the decision to stay home with baby postpartum: Finances, fulfillment, and the overall impact on your family.

Finances

If you are fortunate enough to be questioning whether you should stay home ...

Life with a new baby is undoubtedly a joyous experience. From the first giggles to the first steps, there are more memorable moments than you can count. However, as baby becomes the center of the household, it’s natural that your relationship with your partner takes a back seat. The transition to life with baby is one of the most challenging changes a couple endures and has the potential to either strengthen or negatively impact your relationship. It’s essential to continue to make time for your primary relationship despite the distraction and joy of life with a new baby. 

Here are three simple ways you can continue to foster connection ...

Postpartum depression and anxiety and “baby blues” affects more new mothers than you probably think. According to the the American Pregnancy Association, upwards of 75% of new mothers have negative feelings and experiences during the postpartum phase. They are the result of significant hormonal shifts following childbirth and are quite normal, even though they may not feel that way. These “baby blues” usually subside within a couple weeks or so, and if they do not, they may manifest into symptoms of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that affects women after giving birth. This form of depression lingers in about 15% of new mothers, ...