Margarita Koleva’s Post

A big part of what I hope to do with The Maternal Stress Project is amplify women’s health solutions that exist in the space of stress reduction but DO NOT revolve around individual stress management, coping, or resilience training. I fully recognize that this phase of life (to and through pregnancy and parenting) presents a spectrum of situations that match the hallmarks of acute stress — unpredictability, lack of control, and novelty — so, yes, some stress is absolutely unavoidable. HOWEVER, the sources of stress that I am focusing on with this project are the (theoretically) *avoidable* stressors – the stressors created by and/or exacerbated by the structures and systems and societal pressures that we work within as American mothers and caregivers and birth parents. *When stress relates to structural, societal, and community support issues, the solutions need to come from structural, societal, and community support changes.* Starting with the stressors related to breastfeeding and baby feeding decisions, the stress is layered and connections are complex. But with complexity comes a load of opportunities to address the sources of that stress. This week’s newsletter is a not-quite-comprehensive round up of solutions large and small that address the stressors and connected stressors related to breastfeeding and baby feeding decisions. https://lnkd.in/gtNEGrQm #maternalhealth #stress #maternalmentalhealth Plus, I love a good opportunity to pull in some of my favorite people and companies who are having health impacts (whether they realize is or not) by decreasing the stress load for mothers and lactating parents -- Chamber of Mothers, Moms First, Paid Leave for All, #CareCantWait, SimpliFed, Bobbie (Laura Modi, Sarah Hardy), ByHeart, Kobi V. Ajayi, Ph.D., MPH, MBA, Narrative Nation Inc. (Meagan Centeno, Kimberly Seals Allers), Julia Beck, Eve Rodsky, Kate Mangino, Mamava (Sascha Mayer, Nikkie Kent), Milk Stork (Kate Torgersen), Babyation (Samantha Rudolph), Willow Innovations, Inc., Lilu, Inc (Sujay Suresh Kumar, Adriana Catalina Vázquez Ortiz), Lauren Smith Brody, Phoebe (Emily Klingbeil, Lucy Hutner, MD).

I'm super excited to announce the launch of Healing After Birth Podcast (season one) and blog from my company Fourth Phase Afterbirth Care Box. As a maternal health advocate and co-founder of Fourth Phase, empowering mothers is the Why my co-founder and I return to for each decision. As former editors at women's magazines, this is a space we've always been passionate about. Our journey with Fourth Phase has made us realize that as editors, we fell short in one critical area: honestly preparing expectant and new moms for the challenges of the Fourth Trimester experience. In 2021, we launched a petition to get the words Fourth Trimester into the dictionary to make a distinction between the Postpartum--which includes a wide range of emotional and hormonal imbalances--and the Fourth Trimester, which is the entire experience after birth. We're proud to have played a role in getting Webster's Dictionary to recognize the term (we're still seeking this recognition from Oxford and Dictionary.com). Now, we're taking our mission to normalize Fourth-Trimester care to the next level with www.HealingAfterBirth.com, our new podcast and blog dedicated to normalizing Fourth Trimester Care. Our vision? We want new moms to thrive, not just survive, during this critical period. What you can expect from our new content hub: -Maternal Health News: Get the latest updates on maternal health policy, product safety, and medical research. -Ancient Healing Modalities: We respect both, and want moms to rediscover ancient wisdom that supports postpartum well-being from a cultural perspective. -Real Stories: Real moms share how they navigated the ups and downs of birth and life after birth. -Postpartum Recipes: Nourish your body with healthy, easy-to-make recipes designed specifically for new moms. -Postpartum Pro Directory: Connect with culturally sensitive experts for mental health therapy, lactation consulting, pelvic floor therapy, postpartum nutrition, and find BIPOC-friendly birthing centers. Join us in our mission to normalize Fourth Trimester Care and support new moms in their journey toward healing and thriving. Follow us for updates, resources, and community support! hashtag #HealingAfterBirth #FourthTrimesterCare #NewMomSupport #PostpartumResources

This story is fascinating... Postpartum recovery is a critical aspect of maternal health that often receives less attention than the delivery process itself. Understanding its importance is essential for the well-being of both mothers and their newborns. The postpartum period lasts six to eight weeks after childbirth. During this time, a woman's body heals from the trauma of delivery. This includes recovery from hormonal changes, uterine contractions, and potential surgical wounds from cesarean sections. The body undergoes a reversal of pregnancy-related changes, which can take months to stabilize fully. Adequate rest is crucial during this time. Just as athletes need recovery after intense exertion, new mothers need time to recuperate from the physical demands of childbirth. Postpartum recovery also encompasses mental health. Many women experience emotional challenges during this period, such as "baby blues" or more severe postpartum depression (PPD). Fatigue from disrupted sleep and caregiving responsibilities can significantly increase the risk of PPD. Support systems that allow mothers to rest and receive help with infant care can mitigate these risks, promoting better mental health outcomes. The importance of community support cannot be overstated; it fosters connections that help alleviate feelings of isolation during this transition. Nutrition plays a vital role in postpartum recovery. New mothers have unique dietary requirements to support healing and breastfeeding. Consuming balanced meals rich in essential nutrients helps restore energy levels and promotes overall health. In many cultures, traditional postpartum practices include providing nourishing foods that aid recovery, highlighting the need for adequate nutrition during this time. The implications of postpartum recovery extend beyond immediate needs. Studies show that a mother's health directly affects her child's long-term well-being. Effective postpartum care can lead to improved outcomes for both mothers and infants, establishing a foundation for lifelong health. Thus, prioritizing postpartum recovery is not just beneficial for mothers but is also crucial for the health of future generations. In summary, postpartum recovery is as significant as the delivery itself. It encompasses physical healing, mental health support, nutritional needs, and long-term health implications for both mother and child. Acknowledging and addressing these aspects can lead to healthier outcomes and a more supportive environment for new families. Prepare for your postpartum period meticulously with Fellas.id #Fellas.id #HolisticPospartumCare

Introducing Healing After Birth: A New Resource for Expectant and New Moms As maternal health advocates and co-founders of Fourth Phase, empowering mothers is the Why we return to for each decision. As former editors at women's magazines, this is a space we've always been passionate about. Our journey with Fourth Phase has made us realize that as editors, we fell short in one critical area: honestly preparing expectant and new moms for the challenges of the Fourth Trimester experience. In 2021, we launched a petition to get the words Fourth Trimester into the dictionary to make a distinction between the Postpartum--which includes a wide range of emotional and hormonal imbalances--and the Fourth Trimester, which is the entire experience after birth. We're proud to have played a role in getting Webster's Dictionary to recognize the term (we're still seeking this recognition from Oxford and Dictionary.com). Now, we're taking our mission to normalize Fourth-Trimester care to the next level with www.HealingAfterBirth.com, our new podcast and blog dedicated to normalizing Fourth Trimester Care. Our vision? We want new moms to thrive, not just survive, during this critical period. What you can expect from our new content hub: -Maternal Health News: Get the latest updates on maternal health policy, product safety, and medical research. -Ancient Healing Modalities: We respect both, and want moms to rediscover ancient wisdom that supports postpartum well-being from a cultural perspective. -Real Stories: Real moms share how they navigated the ups and downs of birth and life after birth. -Postpartum Recipes: Nourish your body with healthy, easy-to-make recipes designed specifically for new moms. -Postpartum Pro Directory: Connect with culturally sensitive experts for mental health therapy, lactation consulting, pelvic floor therapy, postpartum nutrition, and find BIPOC-friendly birthing centers. Join us in our mission to normalize Fourth Trimester Care and support new moms in their journey toward healing and thriving. Follow us for updates, resources, and community support! #HealingAfterBirth #FourthTrimesterCare #NewMomSupport #PostpartumResources

Motherhood Mondayz ... 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 & 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐍 𝐌𝐂𝐇 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 Unfortunately, they are offtrack now !!  Do you know that 85 percent of complications during pregnancy, childbirth & post-childbirth are preventable. Not just that, even the challenges in conception, men & women fertility are preventable. 𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈? According to a new report released by United Nations agencies, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, with nearly 1 million dying from preterm complications. Babies born prematurely are at an increased risk of health problems, including respiratory issues, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays  𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞, 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 & 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ? Do you know, When you are pregnant, every part of your body is engaged in the phenomenal task of making a new life, By the time your little one is only 3 months old in the womb, everything is already formed. The heart is beating, the organs are shaped, fingers, toes. Fingernails and toenails are started developing. Now, this is just about physical health of the child what about mental health, emotional, social and spiritual health ?  Yes, the brain too is growing !!! The maximum brain development occurs during third trimester and we can lay strong foundation for this entire development inside the womb itself !!  Majority of you who are planning pregnancy or want to step into parenthood know that, In order to have healthy outcome during childbirth, maintaining consistent health routine is important.  But, when we intent to achieve that, we fall short of these 3 crucial aspects  1. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐩  2. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 3. 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 This gap in maternal & childhealth Ecosystem led to the birth of Maternal Health Coach Community  To reduce pregnancy complications, maternal mortality, preterm birth, infant mortality, neonatal complications, we need robust MCH ecosystem. I invite health professionals who come up with innovative ideas and have passion to help mothers in motherhood and parenting journey to join our MHCC community. DM to know more  𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 !! #drsmitabisen #Maternalhealth #Maternalhealthcoach #Maternalhealthcoachcommunity

Over 40 million women each year are found to face enduring health issues following childbirth, with one in three new mothers worldwide afflicted. Months and even years after giving birth, these women endure long-term conditions that mark a substantial toll on their quality of life. This alarming revelation comes from a series published in the Lancet Global Health and eClinicalMedicine, backed by several global organizations including the World Health Organization. Prof Pascale Allotey of WHO says, “Many postpartum conditions cause considerable suffering in women’s daily life long after birth, both emotionally and physically, and yet they are largely underappreciated, underrecognized, and underreported.” Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, there are considerable gaps in clinical research, practice, and policy. The researchers' analysis revealed an absence of high-quality guidelines for effective treatment, and no such guideline from a low or middle-income country, underscoring a massive global healthcare disparity. The data thus sheds light on deep-seated issues that are impeding progress on maternal health; as echoed by João Paulo Souza, one of the authors of the study, “Maternal health is not just something that we should start worrying about when the pregnancy bump appears..all of these need to be addressed to improve her health, alongside access to high-quality healthcare throughout life.” #maternalhealth #postnatalcare #healthcareforall

Debunking Common Myths in Maternal Health: What Every Professional Should Know As a midwife and maternal health advocate, I've encountered numerous misconceptions that can impact the care and support women receive during pregnancy and childbirth. Today, let's shed light on some of these myths and set the record straight. Myth 1: Pregnancy is always a joyful experience Reality: While pregnancy can be a happy time for many, it's not universal. Many women experience anxiety, depression, or mixed emotions. Recognizing this helps us provide better emotional support. Myth 2: Childbirth is inherently dangerous Reality: With proper care and support, childbirth is generally safe for most women. However, access to quality care remains a global challenge we must address. Myth 3: Postpartum recovery is quick and easy Reality: Recovery can take weeks or months. Women need ongoing support and care well after delivery. Myth 4: Maternal health only concerns pregnant women Reality: It's a community issue affecting families, workplaces, and society at large. Everyone has a role in supporting maternal health. Myth 5: Complications are always preventable with good prenatal care Reality: While prenatal care is crucial, some complications can arise unexpectedly. Preparedness and quick response are key. Myth 6: Traditional practices are always best Reality: While some traditional practices can be beneficial, others may be harmful. It's important to balance cultural sensitivity with evidence-based care. Myth 7: Maternal health issues end after childbirth Reality: Many health concerns can persist or arise postpartum, highlighting the need for continued care and attention. Why This Matters These misconceptions can lead to: Inadequate support systems Delayed seeking of medical care Unrealistic expectations for new mothers Gaps in healthcare policies and workplace support By dispelling these myths, we can foster a more informed, supportive environment for maternal health. This knowledge is crucial not just for healthcare professionals, but for managers, HR professionals, and policymakers as well. - Share this post to spread awareness - Examine your own beliefs about maternal health - Advocate for better maternal health policies in your workplace and community What other misconceptions about maternal health have you encountered? Share in the comments below, and let's continue this important conversation. Day 10 #10daysatancwns #MaternalHealth #HealthcareMyths #WomensHealth #WorkplaceWellness #HealthcareLeadership

AccendoWave - A Pain #Data Company "That fear was compounded early on in my pregnancy, when I was ignored and dismissed by my doctor’s office — so much so that I left that practice and went searching for better care." "Even when I found another doctor, those visits felt perfunctory and isolating. I was repeatedly asked whether I had any questions during the brief 30-minute visits. And I did. But I would realize later, as a first-time mother, I often didn’t know what I didn’t know. I hesitated to bring up my experiences and discomfort, unsure whether they were worth mentioning or indicative of more serious problems." "To allay my fears, I dove deep, spending months researching the quality of hospitals, different birthing practices and studies about the pros and cons of various medical interventions. I studied C-section rates and induction rates, and found that many of the most sought out hospitals where I lived had some of the highest rates of medical interventions. Ultimately, I was trying to find evidence that I would be safe somewhere or that I would be supported in making the choices that were best for me." "I quickly reached a conclusion that increasing numbers of Black women are coming to: Finding safety in childbirth in America is not as simple as going to a hospital." A Top 4 Global Health Equity Solution and Top 15 Global Remote Monitoring Company, AccendoWave, benchmarks objective brain wave #pain data (specialty, gender, age) and has nine #pain databases: Emergency Department, #Maternal Health, Oncology, MSK, Medical Surgical, ICU, Women, Adults, Seniors to eliminate bias, improve outcomes and reduce health care costs. If desired, AccendoWave can also create customized pain databases for partners that can be accessed on the Datavant platform. https://lnkd.in/gpv3mQNC

Childbirth can be a joyous yet challenging experience, especially for new mothers who face postpartum headaches 🤕. These headaches can stem from hormonal changes or the stress of caring for a newborn 👶. This article covers the types, causes, symptoms, and treatments for postpartum headaches, providing new mothers and their support networks with essential information for managing this condition and maintaining well-being 🌟. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/gDeM6UEb

In this powerful Op-ed on #maternalmentalhealth, AOTA member Dr. Jessica McHugh Conlin shines a light on the critical “fourth trimester,” also called the postpartum period. Dr. Conlin demonstrates how #occupationaltherapy is the optimal discipline to meet maternal needs after birth. https://bit.ly/4bB81En