postpartum support
holistic care that is grounded in radical tenderness, storytelling, and individual & collective wellbeing
The initial postpartum phase isn’t simply physical, mental or emotional: it’s spiritual. It is a resting place, a deep look inward, a time to wonder at and honor the wisdom of your body. It is a culmination of stories - your own, and others. It sets the stage for your experience of parenthood.
Within this sacred window, there are needs that are understood as universal: rest, nourishing food, loving touch, time with community and wise elders, time in nature. Other sorts of nourishment are missing from this list, yet just as necessary for holistic wellbeing: time for creative process, self reflection, and storytelling (both sharing & receiving). Creating time and space for these acts in the initial postpartum allows new parents to ground in intuition, inner authority and autonomy. It would be a honor to support you through the window, to be a small part of your and your family’s story.
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As a member of your extended village, I bring the following to the table:
Postpartum Facilitator Training - Postpartum is Forever School with Kelsi Ludvigsen
Postpartum Doula training - Doula Trainings International
Postpartum Kitchen Apprenticeship - Milk & Seed
Seasons of Matrescence - coaching certification program with Nikki McCahon
Turning Towards the Flower: a flower essence crafting course with Liz Migliorelli/ Sister Spinster
Associates Degree of Massage Therapy - Hocking College (Maine licensure pending)
250-hour Yoga Teacher Training - Asheville Community Yoga
Three years experience working as a Family Transition Leader within an intensive wilderness therapy model - TRAILS Carolina (2016-2019)
What can postpartum support look like?
before birth
We meet virtually to map out what an empowered postpartum experience can look like for you and your family (90 minutes via Zoom). Topics might include: nourishing meals for you and your family postpartum; education around what to expect from your newborn and your post-pregnancy body; tools for effective communication and self-advocation between partners and extended family members; tools for nervous system regulation; helpful lists of things to have on hand to help you settle, soften and ground within the transitions of postpartum life.
after birth
Support that is guided by your needs, including but not limited to:
𑁋 evidence-based education to support you in caring for your postpartum body & newborn
𑁋 homecooked meals, handmade teas and sitz baths
𑁋 practices for nervous system regulation
𑁋 light housework
𑁋 opportunities to honor and process your birth, as well as the other rites of passage that follow, through reflection, writing and storytelling
𑁋 an exploration of matrescence- how to identify and navigate the unique biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social changes inherent to motherhood
𑁋 baby care (should you wish) so you can take a bath, shower, or have some time to yourself
𑁋 as a poet, artist and flower devotee, you can expect these things to be a part of my postpartum care. Fresh flowers, a poem, flower essences, a photo shoot (unstaged) - beauty and storytelling are my love languages.
logistics
I serve families living in southern Maine and the greater Portland area.
Home visits last 4-5 hours, and can take place once or multiple times a week, depending on your physical and financial needs. The duration of our time together is fluid, but generally lasts 6 weeks post birth.
pricing
Postpartum Planning Session: $185
In-Home Hourly Rate: $30-$40
Travel Fee: $40 per visit (for those who live further than 60 minutes from Standish)
post·par·tum
/ˌpōs(t)ˈpärdəm/mid 19th century: from Latin post partum - ‘after childbirth’.
Postpartum is, by definition, the entire window of time after pregnancy. It is a phase that begins at birth, however that birth may look, and lasts until one’s final breath. Focused support and individualized care in the onset of this phase of life has the power to create a deeper sense of individual and collective wellbeing, for this generation and the next. Whether or not your pregnancy reached full term, whether your baby is in your arms or hovering close by, you are worthy of support during the tender days and weeks post pregnancy.