Today Melissa Samaki, RN, IBCLC, Certified Postpartum Doula takes the time to come on the podcast and share her own story of depression and anxiety after the births of her four children. She was caught completely unprepared for how much it took to care for a newborn and struggled with depression realizing how different her life had now become. Melissa talks us through her hard moments and how it wasn't until she was in nursing school that she realized how depressed and anxious she had become after the births of her children. She encourages us to reach out and ask for help in those moments and keep asking until you get the answers you need.

Melissa also does an amazing job of explaining to us what a Doula is and how there are many different types. Her business Nurturing New Beginnings is designed to help soon to deliver mommas and postpartum mommas build a plan and be prepare for what is to come once that new baby is here. Please take the time to check out her website and see all the amazing services Melissa has to offer. As always listen, like, and share to continue to spread awareness of Embrace, Live, Thrives mission to destigmatize mental health issues in motherhood.   

Resources Mentioned:
HALTS (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Sick) - Self Assessment tool to bring awareness to what you might be feeling.

Melissa Bio:  
I am a registered nurse with over 8 years of experience caring for mothers and newborns in and out of the hospital setting.  I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant helping families along their breastfeeding journey during pregnancy and beyond.  As a trained peer emotional coach, I support mothers experiencing emotional challenges  during pregnancy and postpartum.  My years of teaching prenatal classes and facilitating postpartum and breastfeeding support groups give me a unique perspective on the needs of growing families.

As a certified postpartum doula, I provide support out of a heart of compassion and understanding.  As a mother of four children, I experienced first-hand how challenging  the first months with a baby can be, physically and emotionally.  My desire is to normalize the need to support growing families so they can thrive.  Many times families are not aware of how to use the third trimester to prepare their “nest” for the new life to come.  I offer prenatal classes in postpartum planning, breastfeeding, and newborn care so families can welcome their little one with knowledge and confidence.  There are  misconceptions about what motherhood and postpartum are supposed to be like.  I walk alongside families validating their experiences  and emotions as they make this journey and seek to connect with  a broader village of support.  My in-home postpartum services are designed to give families the space and time they need to rest, recover, bond with baby, and adjust to a new normal.     I want to help families during this special time for a better heart, health, and home

Ways to Find Melissa:
Website: www.nurturingnewbeginnings.com
FB: @nurturingnewbeginnings
Instagram: @nurturingnewbeginnings

Embrace, Live, Thrive:
Website: www.emrbacelivethrive.com 
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive