oaktown therapy

Black Maternal Mental Wellness

Online Coaching for Birthing Women

There is so much pressure black women experience during pregnancy

Even with the best of planning, the transition into motherhood as a Black woman comes with its rewards as well as unique challenges. The health disparities related to the quality of care received by Black women during pregnancy are staggering. No matter your socio-economic status, college educated or not, Black women experience more negative pregnancy and birth related outcomes. Too many women are dying in pregnancy and childbirth. We hear the horror stories online or we may know someone personally impacted by them engaging with the healthcare system. Leaving the hospital empty-handed or not leaving the hospital at all are unfortunate realities for Black women. There is valid mistrust of the healthcare system. It ain’t safe, it ain’t safe, it ain’t safe. 

IMPACTFUL

Even with the best of planning, the transition into motherhood as a Black woman comes with its rewards as well as unique challenges. The health disparities related to the quality of care received by Black women during pregnancy are staggering. No matter your socio-economic status, college educated or not, Black women experience more negative pregnancy and birth related outcomes. Too many women are dying in pregnancy and childbirth. We hear the horror stories online or we may know someone personally impacted by them engaging with the healthcare system. Leaving the hospital empty-handed or not leaving the hospital at all are unfortunate realities for Black women. There is valid mistrust of the healthcare system. It ain’t safe, it ain’t safe, it ain’t safe. 

CARE

Unfortunately, there is not a ton of support for mamas to be, particularly for Black women

In today’s technological era many of us turn to online spaces for validation and answers, receiving mixed messages about how to support ourselves during pregnancy and postpartum. And when we scroll through the feeds of women who seem to have had a seamless transition into parenthood and a perfect family, it makes us feel hella bad about our own situation. Our body didn’t snap back or our baby is not sleeping through the night. The first days and weeks with a newborn are really tough (diaper blowouts, spit up, lack of sleep, engorged boobs), but we may feel like we need to manage the things entirely on our own.

During this time, it’s essential that you have the resources in place to not only rest and ensure proper nutrition but to actively overcome the comparison bug. There’s really no traffic in your lane. Together in coaching for perinatal and postpartum women, we can build up your resources so you feel more confident about your ability to be a mother.

What is maternal wellness coaching?

Maternal wellness coaching is a process that involves working with a trained professional to improve your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate your pregnancy and postpartum journey. With so many things on your plate, it can be difficult to stop and use limited time and energy to make sense of your transition to motherhood. A maternal wellness coach takes on some of the emotional load for you and provides the structure for you to address the changes in your new environment.


I provide help and support with:

  • Accessing resources to make taking care you and baby easier

  • Developing simple yet practical self-care routines

  • Navigating your return to work and work-life balance

  • Asking for support from your family and friend network

  • Struggle to bond and connect with your baby

  • Processing your birth story

  • Understanding what they mean when they say ‘mommy brain”

  • Providing a non-judgmental space to be seen, heard and accepted

  • Lack of self confidence and low self-esteem

  • How to advocate for your needs when engaging the healthcare system

  • Preparing for life after baby

  • Anxiety and stress

  • Body image struggles and the pressure to snap back

  • Improving your relationship with yourself

  • Finding your identity again after becoming a mother

  • Negative feelings you mihave for your baby

  • Legacy burdens (intergenerational transmissions of extreme feelings, emotions, energies, and beliefs.)

  • Grief: loss of identity, loss of freedom, loss of normalcy, loss of the pregnancy or postpartum experience you were expecting, loss of a career, loss of relationships, loss of...

  • How to advocate for your needs when engaging the healthcare system

Why Maternal Mental Wellness Coaching?

My coaching practice first and foremost provides you with a sense of community needed to combat the isolation that so often accompanies the pregnancy and postpartum period. As someone who can directly relate to your experience of being a mother, I will offer you tangible strategies for asking for support, creating strong connections with other parents, self-care and healing birth trauma. With maternal mental wellness coaching, you can learn ways to thrive in motherhood, instead of survive.

Before we dig deep into the issues that brought you to coaching, I will help set the intention for our work together. We will create a timeline and determine what goals you want to accomplish. I will provide you with the necessary information and tools you will need to navigate the healthcare system and find a provider in alignment with your values. We process your birthing experience and story. You will also learn about your baby’s development and how you can create the most maternal, attuned, and loving bond possible without sacrificing your mental health.

From there, we will begin to chip away at the negative thought patterns that keep you stuck, frustrated, and dissatisfied. As you learn to stop comparing yourself to others, you can transform your self-perception from focusing on what you’re doing wrong to what you’re doing right.

Feelings and issues that may arise around an infertility diagnosis:

  • Disbelief, you are in excellent health

  • Stressed by the care you’ve received from your medical provider

  • Feel like your body has failed you

  • Constant worry that you may not be able to become a mother

  • Overanalyzing and consulting Dr. Google to understand your diagnosis and prognosis

  • Anger watching gender reveals on social media

  • Negative thoughts or self-talk

  • Hopelessness

  • Jealousy of other women who seem to get pregnant so easily

  • Isolating from your support network cause you think they’re tired of hearing about your problems

  • Anxiety around the thought of TTC

virtual appointments available

1:1 Maternal Mental Wellness Coaching is here

Online coaching is designed for Black women who are in need of practical support and a listening ear during a highly vulnerable time- the pregnancy and postpartum period. Black women need prenatal and postpartum care that safeguards their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness, period.

My style prioritizes rapport and interpersonal connection for all things pregnancy and postpartum related. You can expect a collaborative, solution focused exchange of ideas over a period of eight (8) to twelve (12) consecutive weeks when you book with me.

When you work with me, you will receive:

~ Weekly 1:1 video consultations (1 hour)

~ Mid week check in via text or email

~ Consistent guidance and information from 1 person with whom you have a growing relationship with

~ Peace of mind knowing you are being witnessed in a non-judgmental environment

-Resources and referrals to keep your stress levels down so you can have that piece of mind to be an empowered mama to be

collaborative coaching

non-judgmental environment

Getting support before and right after birth is key to alleviating early postpartum mood disorders and preventing more serious mental health conditions down the line. 

Making the transition from maiden to motherhood can present with a variety of challenges, and it's important to acknowledge that it's completely normal to have these thoughts and feelings. Becoming a mother is a significant life change, and it can indeed bring up a range of emotions and concerns. Remember that seeking support and being aware of your mental health are positive steps towards being the best parent you can be.

You are not here because you’re doing a bad job; you’re here because this transition is triggering painful thoughts and sensations, and you want to do everything you can to be the most present and aware parent possible. There is no such thing as perfection, and you will make mistakes throughout this journey, but with proper maternal mental health support, you can learn what it takes for you and your baby to thrive.

I look forward to supporting you in your journey into and through motherhood.


SUPPORTED JOURNEY

Benefits of working with me:

There are countless benefits for mothers pursuing a maternal wellness coach for support. Here are some of the benefits women can expect to gain by working with me: 

• Learn long-term coping and self-help tools that can be used to minimize postpartum anxiety and stress. 

• Dismantle the external forces (capitalism, institutionalized racism, lack of support, systems of oppression, cognitive dissonance), the fuel that feeds your anxiety and depression. 

• Build self-confidence and self-esteem to regain a sense of self-worth. 

• Increase your quality of life with yourself, your family, and your community. 

• Find your voice and increase ability to advocate for your needs. 

• Learn how to trust yourself and keep the fear at bay. 

In our sessions, I will use different techniques based on your needs, and we'll make adjustments based on your progress when necessary. 

READY TO GET STARTED?

Click on the button below to see if I am the best fit for you, your unique experience, needs and goals.