The MotheRoad Blog
Welcome to the MotheRoad with Kim Martino-Sexton. Since 1998, I’ve had the honor of standing in the presence of thousands of newborn family miracles. My intention is to deliver up the very best education about life’s most important moments. I hope you find value in what is written here.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Wellbeing During COVID-19
Preparing for pregnancy wellbeing and postpartum recovery is more important than ever before! Today, with COVID-19 restrictions in place many expectant moms are beginning to feel the early onset of anxiety and isolation that used to occur after baby arrived. Now that partners are rarely allowed to attend prenatal visits, all area hospitals have suspended in-person childbirth and breastfeeding classes, and baby showers are now on Zoom or socially distanced, the struggle for connection and support is real. The attention and care expectant mom’s once enjoyed has greatly decreased – even fun shopping outings for baby clothes has become wrought with worry.
Postpartum moms are also experiencing higher levels of isolation and overwhelm during this very challenging time as newborn families are sent home from the hospital earlier, and family members refrain from visiting to lessen the possible spread of COVID-19.
In a recent study, researchers from the University of Alberta interviewed 900 new mothers and found that 40.7% of new moms had depressive symptoms compared to 15% before the pandemic. The study also said that 72% of new mothers felt moderate to high anxiety, a 43% increase from the number of new mothers reporting anxiety before the pandemic. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/anxiety-depression-increasing-mothers-covid-19-pandemic/story?id=71605965
So what is an expectant/new mom to do?
- Get Informed! Take a childbirth education class geared to lessen anxiety and increase practical knowledge of physiologic birth. Calm Confident Childbirth was specifically designed for anxious expectant parents. This five-week Zoom series will put you at ease, prepare you for birth during COVID-19, and assist you in creating a postpartum recovery plan. Taking a childbirth class goes a long way in lessening the fear/pain cycle and empowering you on your pregnancy journey! For more information and to register for childbirth classes visit Kimmartinosexton.com or email me at Kim@Kimmartinosexton.com.
- Get Connected! The St. Louis Metro Area has lots of support for perinatal women during and after pregnancy. Get started by calling the MOMS Line 314-768-MOMS to learn more about options like; one-to-one peer-led telephone support, small group virtual support, vetted professional counselors, and community agencies. The perinatal period (pregnancy and postpartum) is often a vulnerable and isolating time for new moms. Connecting with other perinatal women is one of the most helpful and uplifting things to do. Support is just a phone call away at 314-768-MOMS or email me at Kim.Martino-Sexton@ssmhealth.com