Services offered via video from Los Angeles, CA
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Online
Podcasts
- Mom & Mind There seems to be an episode on every topic I've searched. Dr. Kat is amazing at normalizing topics and incorporating experts, advocates, and leaders.
- Women's Wellness Psychiatry Dr. Glezer is a reproductive & integrative psychiatrist that aims to help you make sense of the complex world of women's mental health. If your goal is to improve your emotional well-being, find fulfillment, and feel like your best self, you're in the right place.
- Evidence Based Birth The mission of EBB is to raise the quality of childbirth care globally, by putting accurate, evidence based research into the hands of families and communities, so they can make informed, empowered choices.
- Motherhood Sessions A podcast by Alexandra Sacks M.D., author of What No One Tells You and one of my favorite TED Talks based on her book, a new way to think about the transition to motherhood. Podcasts from March 2019-March 2020.
Websites
- Postpartum Support International Receive information, find a provider in your area, join a free support group, and more!
- Queer Birth Project LGBTQ+ childbirth prep classes, new and prospective parent group, and non-gestational parent group.
- Kelly Mom Parenting & Breastfeeding
Disability
- California Maternity Leave: How to milk it "There are seven wonders of the world. Wrong! There are eight; the final one being the mysterious maternity leave."
- Maternity Leave 411 Maximize your maternity leave in California.
Books
Self-Help
- The Pregnancy Workbook: Managing Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques A beautiful useful book during pregnancy by Dr Kat, host of Mom & Mind podcast. I wish this workbook was published when I was pregnant.
- Dear Mama, You Matter I read this book when my kid was a toddler. I felt so seen and understood and think it can be a great comfort and guide for others.
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts Love, love, love this book. With its true and hilarious comic book style, it's easy to take in and validates and normalizes new motherhood.
- The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for living with Postpartum Depression It’s easy to take in with short chapters, bullet points, and real stories. Disclaimer: published in 2001 and like most classics, heteronormative and framed with limiting gender roles.
Couples
- Baby Bomb A relationship survival guide for new parents. "This isn't a book about how to have a romantic candlelit dinner while your baby is screaming in the other room. It's a road map for staying connected in the face of, well, a baby bomb."
- Happy with Baby Therapist Catherine O’Brien and her husband lay out the communication skills and relationship strategies that new moms and dads need during baby’s first year and beyond.
- The best books for couples on the rollercoaster of pregnancy and new parenthood
Memoir
- Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood The author describes loving her child and managing grief and rage over multiple unexpected health issues postpartum: pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, and hormonal imbalance. It's beautifully written and if you're feeling some rage over your postpartum experience it may provide some comfort.
- Inferno: A Memoir of Motherhood and Madness This was an incredible read! Although postpartum psychosis is rare and usually occurs shortly after giving birth, Catherine Cho experienced psychosis three months postpartum. For professionals and avid readers this is an absolute must read, but it could be a bit much for new parents.
FREE Support Groups
Postpartum Support International
- Apoyo Perinatal
- Queer Parents Support Group
- Birth Moms Support Group
- Desi Chaat: A support group for South-Asian moms
- Black Mamas Matter Support Group
- Monthly Dad Support Group
- Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) Mood Support Group
- Pregnancy Mood Support Group
- NICU Parents
- Military Moms
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss for Moms
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group for Parents
The Family Room Postpartum Support Group (online from San Marino, CA)
This group offers moms a safe and comfortable place to talk about mental health issues that arise during and after pregnancy. Moms are free to share their stories, ask questions, or just listen.
Doula
If you are able, I highly recommend having a doula. The education and support were central to my ability to cope during pregnancy and birth. If you'd like to know more, check out my review of BEST Doula Service.
Although their program fills up fast I want to highlight Frontline Doulas for providing free doulas for black moms-to-be. This is so important as black women are 4x more likely to die from childbirth complications than white women. If you have the ability, please donate to this amazing organization. They also offer the non-emergent Frontline Doula Hotline.
How to get your insurance company to pay for your doula. This article is from 2016, but has a lot of great information. Even in a surgical birth you can request reimbursement from insurance because of the many benefits of having a doula.
Chiropractor
I met Dr. Nadia of Cocoon Chiropractic at the Postpartum Support International Components of Care training. Her calming energy and passion around prenatal chiropractic care prompted me to ask for her details. As someone who spent the majority of her pregnancy in pain, I regret not seeking care for my screaming back and sciatic pain.
* Webster Technique explained
Lactation
Fed is best. For those that want to breastfeed and need some assistance or support, there are amazing consultants to help you reach your goals. One such lactation consultant is Inna Henry, IBCLC, whom I met through the Postpartum Support International Components of Care training. I felt so lucky to be at the same table as her because she was accompanied by her newborn.
* IBCLC explained
The Lactation Network connects families with the lactation consultations, breast pumps, and products they need to thrive. You can check your insurance coverage by clicking the request a consultation link.
Development
Many new parents worry about stages of development and meeting milestones. While I always defer to the pediatrician for any concerns, here are some of the resources I've found useful.
- Zero to Three is on a mission to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. Check out Ages and Stages under the Early Development and Wellbeing tab.
- Wonder Weeks offers a book, an app, website, and much more all about development.
- Healthy Parents Healthy Children by Alberta Health Services Canada. Click on the I'm a Parent to see age specific information from 0-12 months.
Disclaimer
I am not financially compensated for sharing these resources, nor under any obligation, financial or otherwise, to share them. Permission from individuals/businesses to share has been granted.