What's on our mind...

A milestone has been reached in the world of maternal mental health with Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the new FDA-approved pill for postpartum depression (PPD). This once-a-day pill promises a faster and more targeted approach to alleviating PPD symptoms in as little as three days. While this breakthrough is promising, it's important to recognize that PPD is a growing, complex issue that demands a comprehensive response made up of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical support and resources.

Breastfeeding can seem like a simple task, but the reality for a lot of breastfeeding moms is that it can be tough to figure out. Those early days are a huge adjustment period, filled with constant learning and practice as your newborn feeds every two to three hours.

Breastfeeding your baby is a beautiful and special experience, but like most things that are worth doing, it can come with challenges! As you begin your breastfeeding journey, it is helpful to be aware of some of the common concerns that breastfeeding moms face. In this blog series, we will go over some of these concerns as well as tips and strategies to overcome them and make the most of your breastfeeding experience.

Research has consistently linked breastfeeding to a myriad of benefits for both mom and baby, yet the decision to breastfeed can still be a challenge for many women. A recent study conducted at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing shows that education and community support play critical roles in increasing breastfeeding rates, especially in rural areas where expecting mothers can struggle to find breastfeeding support. 

Now that summer is in full swing, we want to remind our Birthly parents about the importance of staying hydrated. Proper hydration during pregnancy not only facilitates the absorption of essential nutrients, but also creates a protective environment for your baby in the womb. Neglecting hydration can lead to complications and affect your baby's development, so it’s important to understand why and how to prioritize hydration throughout your entire pregnancy journey.

During pregnancy, a baby is contained in a sack of amniotic fluid that helps them move and grow while protecting them from outside germs. For the majority of pregnancies, that amniotic sack breaks at some point during labor from the pressure of contractions. This is also known as “membrane rupture” or “water breaking.” However, in 8-10% of pregnancies, the water breaks before the start of labor. Birth professionals refer to this as Pre-labor Rupture of Membranes or PROM. 

Yay - you’re pregnant! Now that you know you’re pregnant, you might start to feel overwhelmed by what nutrients you need on a daily basis for your body to handle the extra demands of pregnancy – nourishing both yourself and your growing baby. No need to stress though! I’ve broken down pregnancy nutrition into 3 easy steps.

1. Get a Blood Test

Maternal mental health is a dense topic that typically enters the conversation after childbirth - but what about during pregnancy?  While postpartum mental health concerns like postpartum depression and other mood and anxiety disorders are generally top of mind when it comes to maternal mental health, it is equally important to shift our focus towards mental health in the prenatal stages.

In many cultures, the first 40 days of the postpartum period are considered an incredibly sacred time for the birthing parent. La Cuarentena, The Jappa, Zuo Yue Zi, Lying In. Each of these terms hold the same meaning:  a 40-day rest period following labor and birth. 40 days to rest, recover, bond with baby and allow your village of friends and family to care for you and help with day to day responsibilities. One way we can bring this ancient tradition into modern  society is to build up our postpartum support village in the prenatal period. 

As people living in a hyper connected world, we are constantly bombarded by the "highlight  reels” of others. In particular, there is an emphasis on social media of what appears to be the picture perfect pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. This constant display of “perfection” during these vulnerable periods can lead to unreasonable expectations and ultimately to disappointment, shame, anxiety and potentially the onset of Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Let’s examine some common expectations in the postpartum period versus the reality-based perspectives.