"Your Brain on Pregnancy" — A Deep Dive into Perinatal Mental Health
I love diving into new topics and learning in all kinds of ways, especially when it comes to improving how we support our clients. For the next Birth Connection meetup, I am excited to dive into something that is both fascinating and essential for anyone working in the birth world: perinatal mental health. I am looking forward to exploring what the research says on how pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period impact the brain and emotional well-being of birthing people. So, come join us as we learn together and see how we can better serve our clients through this critical lens!
Who: Birthworkers
What: Your Brain on Pregnancy by Dr. Dawn Kingston
When: Wednesday, December 11th @ 5:30pm
Where: American Eat Co (1439 S 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713)
Why: Join us for opportunities to connect within the Tucson birth community & dive deep into topics for Birthworkers related to all things reproduction, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, etc.
The book will be Your Brain on Pregnancy: A Guide to Understanding and Protecting Your Mental Health During Pregnancy and Beyond by Dr. Dawn Kingston, PhD (you can check them out on IG: @dr.dawnkingston or their website).
Why This Topic Matters
Pregnancy is often portrayed as an exciting, transformative time, but for many, it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and emotionally challenging. Perinatal mental health—which includes emotional and psychological well-being during pregnancy and the year following childbirth—is a vital but often under-discussed aspect of reproductive health. It is now commonly known that depression, anxiety, and stress frequently occurs not just during the postpartum period but also prenatally. The fact is, 1 in 4 pregnant people experience mental health struggles during pregnancy, yet many do not seek support due to stigma or a lack of understanding.
Society still has a long way to go in creating an environment where perinatal individuals feel comfortable sharing their mental health struggles and seeking the help they need. Oftentimes, they are met with “you should be grateful for xyz” or ‘just wait until xyz”. They are made to feel guilt or shame and their experiences are minimized. But perinatal mental health issues are far more common than many people realize. No person should have to suffer with depression, anxiety, or stress through their pregnancy or postpartum period.
This is why it is so important for us as birthworkers, doulas, and healthcare professionals to be educated on this topic. By understanding how pregnancy affects the brain, biological vulnerabilities, and external risk factors, we can better support our clients, not just physically and emotionally, but by helping them to get the care they deserve.
The Role of Birthworkers and Doulas
As birthworkers and doulas, we are often the first line of defense when it comes to noticing shifts in our clients’ emotional and mental states. Through our prenatal and postpartum visits, we spend a great deal of time with them—before, during, and after birth—that puts us in a unique position to offer support, guidance, and referrals to mental health professionals if necessary. Because of the rapport we build with out clients, they feel safe coming to us with their concerns. We are able to provide them with the research and evidenced-based information, approaching our clients without judgement, to help them make informed decisions. One of the most helpful features of this book is the abundance of tools it provides, which we can make available to our clients to conduct self-assessments on their mental health, which can help uncover any red flags, as well as tools to help improve their mental health and that of their baby.
A key part of our work is understanding that mental health is as crucial as physical health in the perinatal period. It is not just about ensuring an uncomplicated birth, healthy baby, or a smooth postpartum recovery. It is about fostering a space where mental wellness is prioritized, and where our clients feel seen, heard, and supported through all the emotional challenges that can arise during this time.
What to Expect from the Discussion during Birth Connection
In our upcoming meetup, we will be unpacking "Your Brain on Pregnancy", and exploring the following:
- Dispelling myths: There is more to perinatal mental health than hormones shifts and lack of sleep.
- What the research shows: Understanding vulnerabilities and risk factors behind perinatal mental health.
- How to support mental health: Identifying tools and resources to support good mental health.
- How birthworkers can provide support: Practical strategies for serving clients.
Whether you are a seasoned doula, a new birthworker, or someone simply interested in this topic, this discussion will provide valuable insights into how we can better serve our clients by integrating evidence-based perinatal mental health knowledge into our practice. I also hope our discussion sparks conversation and reflection on how we, as birthworkers, can help shift the narrative around mental health in pregnancy and postpartum.
I look forward to having you join in for this important and eye-opening discussion. Bring your thoughts, questions, and personal experiences—I cannot wait to explore this topic with you!
Where You Can Get the Book:
Check Out These Additional Resources:
Dr. Dawn Kingston's HOPE Platform
Local Postpartum Resources (in Tucson area)
Postpartum Support International - Arizona Chapter
Offers support groups, resources, and a helpline for those experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
Other Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Toll-free Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) [formerly 1-833-9-HELP-4-MOMS or 1-833-943-5746]
This meetup is open to all birthworkers and individuals who may directly or indirectly work with pregnant or postpartum people. I encourage everyone read the book and to try to look at some of the additional resources above to further our discussion for December's meetup. However, even if someone is not able to, you are still more than welcome to come. This is a fantastic way to connect with fellow Tucson birthworkers and learn from each other.
Reminder: Birth Connection is intended to be an inclusive & safe space where difficult topics may come up that push us and are inclusive of the entire birth community. Please be mindful of your words and actions and always be respectful of others.
***If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by emailing me.***
Disclosures
- ChatGPT / AI was used to help create this content.
- None of the links in this blog are affiliate links.
Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates.
コメント