Seven Starling’s Post

Please share The fourth trimester is a beautifully complex time in a mothers life. It’s a time when she becomes a mother, navigated new territory, explores a new version of herself, and overcomes obstacles and challenges she’s never imagined she would face. It’s a time where vulnerability is at its highest along with emotions and expectations, but we’re still not providing her with what she needs in the moment. Most of what I had experienced in the fourth trimester was exacerbated due to lack of sleep and education around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. If I had more information about the potential mental health challenges I could experience I wouldn’t have felt so afraid, ashamed, and guilty for what I was going through. If I had been connected with a perinatal specialist during my pregnancy, I may have been more inclined to reach out to someone that I KNEW would be able to help me. I created this course to fill that gap in service delivery. I am connecting with moms during pregnancy to provide them with the education I believe is necessary to effectively transition into the fourth trimester. This course not only comes with the educational modules and support plan, it comes with me and 3 points of check in that depend on the mothers timeline. Mothers are more inclined to connect with someone who reaches out to schedule time with them rather than having to find someone to connect with, and then reach out to schedule session. Mine are built into this program so moms don’t have to do anything extra. Imagine receiving this education and information and then having a trained professional periodically checking in with you, providing you with 1:1 coaching services? That is how we build a community. That is how we reduce the likihood of a mom getting lost in the shuffle. I am opening up registration now for a cohort they will begin in August. Anyone who signs up for this course will receive THREE 1:1 calls with me, and a perinatal workbook, along with our weekly module review. The course is held via zoom for 1.5 hours. To learn more about the course: https://lnkd.in/ePcfXkgm To hold your spot for the August cohort: https://lnkd.in/eZ4RuN6k

*FALL COHORT for PERINATAL MENTORING GROUP* Are you a therapist who works with women/families who are navigating pregnancy and the postpartum period? Or, are you considering expanding into working with this population? The MotherLoad Collective (Kelsey Mizell and Jane Johnson Wall) are offering a fall consultation group cohort to support therapists who are early in the journey of working with members of the perinatal population. This mentoring group is unique in what it offers: *Case consultation (includes time for follow-ups from previous consults) *Discussion of themes and topics pertinent to working with this population (matrescence, patriarchal burdens, mental load, responsive parenting, relationship changes, etc.) *Mentorship: sharing of resources and referrals to establish/expand your practice and increase your professional connections *Learning self-care strategies to honor the impact that this work can have on providers *Supporting your overall development and confidence as a perinatal mental health professional Based on feedback from previous participants, we have extended the length of time for each meeting, and increased the number of meetings for each cohort. DATES: 6 virtual meetings on alternating Thursdays: 9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14 TIME: 11:30 am- 1pm EST COST: $325 by 9/1 **$25 discount for past cohort participants** Additional payment plan option: 2 payments of $175 by 9/1 and 10/1 Registration: https://lnkd.in/dF-MgaXA Feedback from previous participants: “I appreciate the large amount of wisdom you both brought from your work in this field.” “I walked away each session feeling excited and a little more confident.” Questions? Email us. hello@themotherloadcollective.com

🟣 Perinatal OCD is when a parent experiences Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while pregnant or during the first year of their baby’s life. It is a little known but not uncommon form of mental distress. 🔵 Perinatal OCD often revolves around unwanted thoughts and images related to a parent’s fear of harming their infant. These intrusive thoughts go against the person’s values and intentions, which is precisely why they are so distressing. Living with perinatal OCD can significantly interfere with the parent’s wellbeing and their experience of pregnancy and parenting. 🟢 Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts from time to time (ie unwelcome ideas, images, or urges). As long as there is no intent to act on these thoughts, there is no reason for alarm. For example, new parents are focused naturally on the safety of their baby and feel particularly responsible for them. Because of this, it’s perfectly normal for a parent to experience a fleeting image of hurting their baby or a thought that food may be contaminated. These uninvited thoughts are usually quickly forgotten and the parent moves on. 🟣 In someone experiencing OCD, some intrusive thoughts get stuck in the mind, returning again and again, and the person feels very distressed. ➡ To read about two mothers' experiences of it, visit https://lnkd.in/g8xuYrVc 📄 Find more information about Perinatal OCD at https://lnkd.in/gfq8KgjW or free download our Perinatal OCD resource here https://lnkd.in/gYVictr6 #perinatalOCD #POCD #elimatethestigma #perinatalwellbeing #perinataldistres #perinatalmentalhealth #perinatalsupport #PADA

Speaking on the launch today Its changing! just one of the recommations in the report today! Link below New fathers should receive mental health screening and have access to relevant services during the perinatal and postnatal period. Though inadequate, there are a number of touchpoints and appointments where women or birthing people receive screening for poor mental health and receive an offer of support. These include midwife appointments, antenatal clinics, early pregnancy units (EPAU), gynecology services or through their health visitor. In addition to clinical routes, women are also more likely to attend informal sources of potential support, including baby groups and community networks. Whilst men may often attend clinical appointments with their partners, they have far fewer opportunities to discuss their wellbeing with a health professional. Supporting all parents throughout the parenthood journey improves outcomes for individuals, families and children. In Wales, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. In 2023, there were 386 suicides in Wales, and 296 of these deaths were by men. We cannot afford to exclude the screening of men's mental health during the parenthood journey. https://lnkd.in/eekUvqJ5

Perinatal trauma refers to any physical, emotional, or psychological distress experienced by a mother and/or baby during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period. This may include: -Complications during pregnancy or delivery -Emergency or unwanted medical interventions that prevent or complicate a birth plan -Traumatic childbirth experiences -Postpartum mood issues -Grief and loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth -Problems associated with maternal-infant bonding EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidenced-based approach that can bring symptom relief and with early intervention can prevent PTSD. Contact Rebecca Matlock, LCSW to schedule a consult call today. Email: rebecca@creeksidecounseling-wellness.com Hope. Healing. A Way Forward.

Infertility Awareness Week is just around the corner. So we’ve teamed up with Fertifa for an event on a still stigmatised topic… 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in a loss. Nearly 1/3 of people who experience this suffer from PTSD in the following month. But despite how prevalent—and difficult—pregnancy loss is, it’s still barely acknowledged by most workplaces. So how can companies support their employees through pregnancy loss and miscarriage? Our very own Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Sarah Bateup, will be joining Fertifa's Céline Crawford and Sophie Witts for a live discussion on: - The emotional and mental health impact of pregnancy loss - How to create a supportive workplace culture, where things like pregnancy loss are acknowledged and discussed - What to say (and what not to say) to a colleague who has experienced pregnancy loss - Why a pregnancy loss policy is crucial There will be plenty of time for Q&A, as always. 👇 Sign up right here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dHhse8Hk #infertilityawareness #pregnancyloss #workplacewellbeing

As World Mental Health Day approaches in just a few days, we would like to raise awareness to the mental health crises that is affecting women who have given birth. Did you know that mental health disorders affect 1 in 5 pregnancies? This includes diagnoses women have prior to becoming pregnant as well as during the pregnancy. Unfortunately, research is now finding that this issue is something that is extremely under-recognized and under-treated. Secondary to this fact, suicide, overdose and poisoning, are now considered the most common causes of pregnancy associated with maternal mortality. This diagnosis of postpartum mental health disorders is considered to be pregnancy for a full year post-partum. As a result, it is now highly recommended that Obstetricians and any clinician who sees a female patient should conduct a screening at a well woman exam, at the initial pre-natal appointment, during mid-pregnancy, and as well as postpartum. Please know that here at AccessNurse, we are committed to educating our Registered Nurses on these latest developments and look forward to helping become part of the solution in finding care for these women patient callers dealing with these issues. #AccessNurse #TeamHealth #TelephoneTriageNurse #OBGYN #WeAreAccessNurse

It’s another good day to share education during #maternalmentalhealthawareness week! Today, we’re highlighting Postpartum/Perinatal Anxiety 🧠 Approximately 10% of women develop anxiety during pregnancy and/or after birth. ❓Did you know? 🤝Perinatal depression and perinatal anxiety often occur together. 📈The indications of perinatal anxiety can range from symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder to symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 🫣 In anxiety, the compulsive behaviors, hypervigilence, and troubling intrusive thoughts experienced by moms with Perinatal/Postpartum OCD do NOT indicate disconnection from reality, or psychosis. 💭 Intrusive thoughts are not rare! Many moms experience them. Moms with perinatal anxiety are not necessarily at risk of acting on those thoughts. Perinatal Anxiety IS treatable. It’s important to identify any of these signs/symptoms that you or someone close to you may be experiencing. It’s twice as important to share them with your care professional and connect with professional support! 🗣️ Need help? Here’s some numbers you can call/text. These supports are available for you around the clock. 📞📱 1-833-TLC-MAMA 1-800-944-4773

When I first had kids, “postpartum” was an amorphous term applied to every emotional swing after birth. We’ve come so far in identifying and treating pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. OCD is a big one. Here’s what to know. Psychology Today - https://loom.ly/IE-wXMQ #Author #PsychologyToday #Postpartum #OCD #MentalHealth #Wellness #AmWriting

The new RCOG guidelines bring a transformative change by focusing on both the physical and mental health aspects for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) - a perspective missing until now. Here is a snapshot of what they say: These guidelines recognise the profound impact of HG on women's quality of life. For the first time, there's a strong emphasis on assessing both physical and mental health during pregnancy. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to refer women for psychological support when needed. Research shows that women with HG are at a higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety antenatally. The new guidelines take a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing these mental health concerns. Given the outcome of the recent inquest into the deaths of Jess & Baby Elsie we are even more determined as a charity to make sure this isn't just a step forward but a major leap. #WomensHealth #MentalHealth #Hyperemesis