Can You Prevent PPD/PPA?/Actually Helpful Return to Work Tips/Stop Pretending Everything is Perfect
This week's round-up of must-reads.
This week, we’re asking some questions, like:
Can you prevent PPD and PPA?
Can we please stop pretending motherhood is perfect?
Can we be honest about what it’s like to return to work?
Can we better navigate the identity shift of the fourth trimester?
And more, all in this week’s issue:
Can You Completely Prevent PPD or PPA? An Expert Weighs In.
Hormonal shifts during pregnancy and postpartum can significantly affect emotional well-being, with individual experiences varying widely. But can you proactively manage mental health before the baby arrives? And maybe avoid PPD and PPA? Here, a therapist discusses how to prepare yourself for this significant transformation.
Read here.
8 Actually Helpful Tips for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave
Reflecting on her career, the writer & leadership coach recounts her biggest "Oh Sh*t" moment when she welcomed her first child, shifting her focus entirely to motherhood. This transition led her to create "Your 4th Trimester," a platform to support working mothers navigating parental leave and their return to work. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, flexibility, and advocating for oneself during this period. Here, tips for returning to work that truly are helpful.
Read here.
Can We Please Stop Pretending Motherhood is Perfect—When It’s Not?
Woken up by her toddler’s early morning screams, a mom navigates the chaos of her daily routine, feeling pride in her accomplishments despite the mess. However, during social gatherings, she notices other moms portraying an idealized version of motherhood, which makes her question whether she's the only one struggling. In this essay, she emphasizes the importance of being honest about the realities of motherhood to help other moms feel less alone.
Read it here.
Moms Ask:
How can I navigate my identity shift in motherhood in my career? My priorities have shifted.
"As a mother, your entire identity can shift in profound ways, encompassing not just your work life but your personal sense of self. From my experience as a parent coach, I’ve seen how motherhood can actually enhance your professional skills—patience, multitasking, and empathy can make you more effective at work.
Similarly, having a career can enrich your role as a mother, providing a sense of fulfillment and modeling the value of hard work and independence for your children. Remember that no situation is perfect and the old adage is true: mothers must be nurtured in order for the family to be healthy.
So no matter your work situation, self-nurturing is so important. Make time for activities that replenish your spirit: go for a run, read a favorite book, do some journaling or engage in a creative hobby. Remember, you are growing alongside your children so allow yourself to change your mind, make mistakes, ask for help and stay connected to how you feel.” -Jess Baldenhofer, Parent Coach for Moms
News Moms Are Talking About:
Southern Indiana woman creates individualized meal plans for postpartum mothers: Sydney Spencer, a certified postpartum caretaker, started her business to better feed mothers—not just their babies. Her company Gentle Waters Postpartum Care, provides mothers with food during the postpartum period. Sydney meets with clients before their birth so she can understand their food needs and wants to provide homemade food designed specifically for the mother. It’s like having a personal postpartum chef who understands what you need. If you’re in the Bloomington area, Sydney’s company is worth checking out.
'Groomzilla' rages at sister for breastfeeding in front of 250 guests at wedding: For some reason, mothers who breastfeed in public are still criticized for their choices. A man complained that his sister was breastfeeding her two-month old daughter at his wedding reception. The man said it “ruined his day and was not appropriate.” We all could use a reminder that breastfeeding is normal. It’s normal in your house, in public, and wherever you need to. Protect your health, even if it means offending some people.
Olympic medallist Elinor Barker says she doesn't want to be described as a role model for mothers: Welsh track cyclist Elinor Barker won bronze at the Paris Olympics doesn't want her continued athletic success to be labeled as an inspiration for mothers only. “From the moment that you’re pregnant, your bump size is compared, how you bounce back is compared. Everything is a comparison,” Elinor told ITV. “Whether you decide to sleep train or not, whether you breastfeed or not, it’s just kind of endless. I think of all the mums that I know, and they’re not short of inspiration of what they could do if they had the opportunities, but what they need first is sleep and time to themselves.” Elinor’s words serve as a reminder to all mothers that you are not defined by your pregnancy or children.
Last Word of the Week: Forget Taylor Swift’s Friendship Bracelets—Now There Are Postpartum Bracelets
If you missed Taylor Swift's Eras Tour because you were pregnant and now you’re postpartum, there's a new kind of bracelet you might be interested in—especially if you're in Alabama.
Half of pregnancy-related deaths in Alabama occur within the first six weeks postpartum, often due to unrecognized complications. To address this, the Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ALPQC) launched a Postpartum Awareness Bracelet pilot program in June, aiming to reduce obstetric-related readmissions by 20%.
The program offers "Postpartum Awareness" bracelets to new mothers and special bracelets to those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. These bracelets act as medical alerts, helping healthcare providers quickly identify postpartum status during emergencies, which is crucial for timely and appropriate care. The initiative also serves to remind new moms to prioritize their own health during this vulnerable period.
The program is currently being implemented in several hospitals across Alabama, and data collected will inform future maternal health initiatives. Funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program aims to make a significant impact on postpartum care and maternal health outcomes in the state.