Posts

Preparing for Better Outcomes: Matrescence Education as a Pathway

It’s hard to go even a couple of weeks without seeing another sobering statistic on the state of maternal health in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality,…

On Matrescence: Let’s Stop Wearing Bikinis in the Blizzard

I love the month of November. In Northern California, it means we survived months of scorching sun, thick layers of sunscreen, and even a wildfire season. Now it’s sweater weather, time to restock our cabinets with hot chocolate, and enjoy…

6 Tips to Prepare for Your First Fertility Clinic Appointment Through a Diverse and Inclusive Lens

 Are you taking the first step to possibly begin fertility treatments and feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t worry, it’s rare that you’ll ever find anyone starting this process who’s not feeling that way. Maybe you’ve…

What Not to Say Someone Struggling with Infertility

With infertility affecting about 1 in 6 women, it is likely that you know someone who is struggling, or has struggled, with infertility. The pain and distress of this experience is excruciating, often made worse by well-intentioned friends…

Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders in The Adoption Community

November is National Adoption Month. This month we choose to bring awareness to the intricacies of adoption and the impact on Birth Parent(s), Adopted Individual(s) and Adoptive Parent(s). Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders impact all…

What I Learned Volunteering for Postpartum Support International

 Nine months after having my daughter, I started volunteering for Postpartum Support International (PSI).My postpartum experience opened my eyes to the alarming lack of emotional and mental health resources for new moms. Despite…

Overcoming Depression While Weaning from Breastfeeding (A Poem & Coping Tips)

Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child. I felt lucky to do this, as I know it’s not something everyone is able to do.I was amazed that my body knew how to make milk and nourish my kids.It…

How to use creativity to cope with PMADs without it taking a lot of your time or energy

 As a mother with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), you've likely consumed information about how to cope. You've probably read that rest, healthy food, water, exercise, social support and self-care are valuable and overusing…

How To Support A New Mom Who Is Struggling With Postpartum Depression

How To Support A New Mom Who Is Struggling With Postpartum Depression by Amy Stuart  A few years ago, I entered a new season of life. My friends and I left our college years behind us and established ourselves in our respective fields.…

What Pediatricians Need To Know About Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is the most common and serious postpartum condition, affecting 10% to 20% of mothers within the first year of childbirth.  Studies have found that up to 50% of women with PPD go undiagnosed. (Earls, MF and the Committee…

Birth Trauma

by Emma Quick It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since we were anxiously awaiting our daughter’s arrival. Our second baby, but we had a different birth plan this time due to breech presentation.  My son had been born…

EMDR Therapy

EMDR & Perinatal Mental Health Written by Shannon Kane, MSW, RSW “Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering.” -Peter LevineEye Movement Desensitization…

Conversations that Count: Ask A Dad about His Journey

Conversations that Count: Ask A Dad about His Journey By Daniel Singley With International Fathers’ Mental Health Day right around the corner, I wanted to take a brief look at some of the ways that my colleagues and I have been working to…

Perinatal OCD Part II

Perinatal OCD Part II Catherine BenfieldWe’re at a point now where parents are beginning to talk openly about the impact of becoming parents on their mental health. Postnatal depression is often in the media, an awareness of postpartum…

Dear Anxiety

Dear Anxiety by Jen Smith 16 Nov 2018 Dear Anxiety:Remember when you would visit me all the time? Now I need to take a special moment to reach out and say thank you. I love you. I want to thank you for checking to make sure that…