13 | Dropping Expectations - Lara Alsoudani Weeks

Lara describes her pregnancy and birth as a true partnership with her husband, Alfredo. Together they did research, watched birthing videos, interviewed care providers and sought out friends and family for advice. Their strong connection was evident that when in their birthing space full of people Lara expresses that even though she couldn't always see Alfredo, his voice and presence was the only one she could hear and feel. 

While her pregnancy and birth were healthy and easy to navigate, postpartum required more of Lara. She fell easily into her routine before baby but soon realized that she was starting to feel the weight of this new transition. Lara sought out support from her midwife and realized that what she was experiencing was affecting not only her relationship with Alfredo but also her bond with her daughter Layla. Lara got serious about her journey with postpartum depression and acquired professional help. She notes that it's on ongoing, she still has flare-ups, yet the most important and valuable thing for her is recognizing the time when she needs extra support and honoring that!

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) report that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which include Postpartum Depression, affect 1 in 7 pregnant and new mothers. Whether you are a birthing person who is struggling, a concerned friend or relative, reach out for support from a healthcare professional. A great resource is the Postpartum Health Alliance which can offer support and referrals to resources that can help.

Resources:

Empowered Birth Project |birth censorship campaign
OSU Midwifery 
Stop Censoring Motherhood |social media platform

Sponsors:

Fringe22 | Design & Creative Strategy
Today's programming is in partnership with FRINGE22 design & creative strategy. A design studio focused on brand development and creative strategy aimed at connecting with people who are committed to social impact. For sneak peaks of their work, you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @fringe22studio.