Martha Lawrence’s Post

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

Postpartum health complications, ranging from physical effects to psychological challenges, are more common than most people believe. The "hidden epidemic" of postnatal conditions is affecting more than 1 in 3 women globally each year. Yet, these issues are mostly under-recognized and probably under-diagnosed. A comprehensive study published in "The Lancet Global Health" reveals these alarming trends and underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these issues, which are often left untreated and unattended. Women are currently provided with a single checkup at 6 or 12 weeks postpartum. However, most postnatal conditions occur beyond that period. This historical limitation of postnatal care services necessitates a reconsideration of care models, with a focus on comprehensive, long-term support for postpartum women.🤱 The need for multidisciplinary, respectful, and high-quality maternity services, combined with postpartum screenings, is imperative to ensure women not only survive childbirth but thrive afterwards! Lastly, let's remember that every woman deserves to be heard and respected in her healthcare journey. If you're suffering from postpartum health issues, reach out for help, keep advocating for your health. Join us from Momsanity App in raising awareness about the importance of comprehensive postpartum health support. 💪🌷 #PostpartumHealth #MaternalHealthcare #HealthForAll #JoinTheConversation

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

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).

In the mid-1990s, I was privileged to work in a family medicine centering (™) program that pioneered holistic, family-centered care before it was the norm. This program integrated doulas right into the clinical setting, a unique approach that gave residents hands-on exposure to non-pharmacological pain relief, childbirth education, and breastfeeding support— all led by doulas. Our participants were typically under-resourced teens of color whose needs and experiences highlighted the value of accessible, community-based care. One memory stands out: a young teen mother in the throes of labor felt most comfortable on her hands and knees. When a new resident arrived, I explained her preference, and although he was a bit taken aback, his involvement in this program made him willing to try. I could see him mentally recalibrating, processing how to deliver a baby from an “upside down” perspective. He briefly stepped away, then returned with a new mindset, ready to support her as she chose to give birth. This experience reflects a core insight from Building Healthy Futures, a recent report from the Center for Health Care Strategies. The report highlights the importance of family-centered, trauma-informed approaches in maternal health. These models are essential in addressing challenges faced by expectant mothers, particularly those navigating mental health and substance use issues during pregnancy. The report emphasizes integrated, stigma-free care tailored to the unique needs of each individual, especially those from under-resourced backgrounds. Looking back, I’m immensely grateful for the chance to be part of something so innovative and forward-thinking. The lessons learned in that setting—respecting patient choices, listening without judgment, and adapting medical practices to honor individual needs—remain deeply relevant today. As we continue to address the complex mental health and substance use challenges that so many mothers face, I’m hopeful that the strategies and insights shared in the Building Healthy Futures report will help shape future maternal care in ways that reflect this spirit of empathy and innovation. #MaternalHealth #FamilyCenteredCare #DoulaSupport #TraumaInformedCare #TeenMoms #BuildingHealthyFutures #MentalHealthInPregnancy #BirthSupport #EmpathyInHealthcare #HealthcareInnovation #HealthEquity

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

Pregnancy can be an exciting and joyful time, but it can also be a source of significant stress and anxiety. Expectant mothers may worry about their baby's health, their own physical and emotional changes, and the impending responsibilities of parenthood. Anxiety during pregnancy is common, affecting up to 20% of pregnant women. Some common signs of anxiety during pregnancy include persistent worry or fear about the baby's health or safety, difficulty sleeping or insomnia due to racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, or tremors, nausea, stomachaches, or digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension, or physical pain, mood swings, irritability, or restlessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or helpless, and avoiding social interactions or activities due to anxiety. Specific pregnancy-related anxiety triggers may include fear of childbirth or labor pain, concerns about fetal development or potential birth defects, body changes and weight gain, financial stress or parenting responsibilities, and previous traumatic pregnancy or birth experiences. Why Anxiety During Pregnancy Matters Untreated anxiety can lead to serious consequences, including preterm labor or low birth weight, increased risk of depression during pregnancy or postpartum, difficulty bonding with the baby, impaired cognitive and emotional development in the child, and reduced prenatal care adherence. Coping Mechanisms and Support Fortunately, there are ways to manage anxiety during pregnancy. 🍀Prenatal yoga, meditation, or relaxation techniques can help calm the mind and body. 🍀Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or counseling can provide valuable support. Joining support groups for pregnant women can connect you with others who share similar experiences. Open communication with healthcare providers is essential, and partner or family support can make a significant difference. 🍀Self-care activities like reading, walking, or hobbies can also help alleviate anxiety. When to Seek Professional Help If you experience overwhelming anxiety or panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or feelings, difficulty managing daily tasks, severe physical symptoms, or persistent feelings of hopelessness, consult your healthcare provider or a mental health professional for guidance and support. Remember, anxiety during pregnancy is treatable, and seeking help is the first step towards a healthier, happier pregnancy. https://lnkd.in/efFFs3CM #AnxietyDuringPregnancy #PregnancyMentalHealth #PrenatalCare #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #PregnancySupport

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬/𝐂-𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠) Let’s be honest with each other, woman to woman – C-sections don’t make you “less of a mom.” Can we please stop saying that? Imagine someone was teaching me and she said, “When you give birth naturally, then you know that you’ve given birth correctly, and you can look back and know you did well.” Anyway, she’ll be fine 😂 because tell me, how does that make sense? Too many women feel judged or even guilty when they have a C-section, and it’s time we put an end to that. We need to remember that women who go through C-sections experience their own pain. Is it easy to have your stomach cut open and stitched back together? You hear some myths about C-sections, and they’ll leave you amazed. Here are a few common myths and the real truth: ✍️”𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟏: “𝐂-𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬.” A C-section can be a planned, life-saving decision. It’s not just for emergencies. Doctors often recommend it for the safety of both mom and baby, especially when natural birth poses risks. ✍️“𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟐: “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐂-𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Seriously? Birth is birth! Whether you deliver vaginally or via surgery, you’ve brought a baby into this world – and that’s a miracle in itself. Let’s stop measuring motherhood by the way we give birth. ✍️ ”𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 #𝟑: “𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐂-𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞.” Not true! Many women go on to have vaginal births after a C-section (VBAC). It depends on your situation, and it’s a discussion you can have with your doctor. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: C-sections save lives. It doesn’t make you any less of a mother, and you shouldn’t feel like you’ve “failed.” At the end of the day, what matters is a healthy mom and a healthy baby. That’s it. Let’s spread the truth and stop the stigma around C-sections. If you’ve had one, or you know someone who has, share this with them. They might need to hear it. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲? 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 – 𝐈’𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭! #ceasariansection #mythssurroundingceasariansection #maternalandchildhealthcare #nursesonlinkedin #LinkedInVisibilityandIncomeAcceleratorwithAanu

Just 3 days to go until my Christmas Self-Care Toolkit Webinar: Coping with TTC Challenges During the Festivities The festive season can be particularly challenging for those trying to conceive. While others are caught up in celebrations, your patients may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or triggered by family gatherings, festive traditions, and social media. This emotional toll makes compassionate and practical support more essential than ever. On 9th December at 7:30 pm, I’ll be hosting a one-hour webinar tailored to individuals navigating infertility during this emotionally charged time. The session will help attendees with: - Boundaries and wellbeing: Tips for safeguarding their emotional health. - Tricky conversations: Strategies to handle family gatherings with confidence. - Festive triggers: Practical advice for managing moments like pregnancy announcements or social media posts. - Self-care toolkit: Guidance on creating a personalised plan to prioritise their well-being. - Peer support: A group chat where attendees can connect with others who truly understand their experiences. Encourage your patients to attend this nurturing and supportive session, designed to help them feel less alone and better equipped to handle the season’s unique pressures. This webinar has received fantastic feedback in past years for its thoughtful and practical approach. 📩 They can sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e8VcQagA By recommending this resource, you’ll provide your patients with tools to navigate this difficult time with more resilience, reminding them they are not alone in their journey. Together, we can create a more compassionate and supportive environment for those facing infertility during the holidays. #compassionatecare #ivfclinics #infertility #emotionalsupport