Kelli Brien Birth and Postpartum Doula Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Certified Lactation Specialist Founder of Mahogany Maternity Tell us a little about yourself outside of your work. I’m a wife and mother of 3 children and one grandchild. I enjoy writing poetry and music and latin dancing. What sparked your interest in maternal mental health?…
Mom Guilt by Amy Stuart “You have to be kidding me.” I muttered these exact words to myself as I looked at the pregnancy test I held in my hand. It was positive. I had no idea what to do. My husband and I already had two small children. While pregnant with my second child,…
Practical Solutions for Postpartum Self-care by Amy Stuart The birth of my first child didn’t exactly go as I expected. While I hadn’t written up an elaborate birth plan, I had a loosely formed idea in my mind of how things were likely to proceed. Even so, there was a lot that happened that I…
This month is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the joys and benefits of breastfeeding. It also allows us to highlight and discuss some of the most common struggles and complications that can arise. We look forward to providing you with beneficial resources throughout the month and would love to hear from you about…
How Infant/Baby Massage Can Help with Postpartum Depression By Angela Hitchcox When a mother goes home from the hospital or birthing center with her new baby, she is thrown into a major life transition following her pregnancy. Some mothers have to leave their babies in the NICU upon their discharge and are only allowed…
Grow your Village – A guide for new parents Jessie Everts, PhD LMFT As the African proverb goes, “it takes a village” – not just to raise a child, but to support a new parent. Connection with others and support are so vitally important in early parenthood. You feel less alone when you know…
Letter from Chris Raines, RN MSN APRN-BC– PSI Board Chair Hi everyone, WOW, what a wonderful virtual conference we just completed. When we started talking about how to have our yearly conference this year, scheduled for New Orleans, we talked about what a daunting task going virtual might be. We reached out to our wonderful…
How to Advocate for Your Own Mental Health By Amy Stuart Maybe it’s the chilly examination room. Maybe it’s the feeling of bare skin beneath a loosely-fitted, sheer gown or the way the paper blanket crinkles when you shift positions. Maybe it’s the muffled discussions from the hall that can be heard through the…
How To Support A New Mom Who Is Struggling With Postpartum Depression by Amy Stuart A few years ago, I entered a new season of life. My friends and I left our college years behind us and established ourselves in our respective fields. Many moved in with a partner or got married. It wasn’t…
Mom Genes Fight PPD by Amy Stuart This blogpost was written based on a Mom and Mind podcast episode hosted by PSI board member Katayune Kaeni and Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody. Technology has transformed the way we live. We no longer rely on a haphazardly folded atlas from the backseat of our vehicle when we…