Rising Phoenix Movement

Melissa did just about everything to prepare for an at-home birth. From hypno-birth classes, meditations, etc. She was surrounded by an RN, Doula and Midwife while she delivered her daughter, Lydia, at home. The baby was wrapped in the umbilical cord - which led to a very traumatic birth and the baby being rushed to the hospital. Melissa had to stay home while Lydia was rushed to the hospital and she did not see her baby for 3 days while she healed at home. Melissa talks about the harsh thoughts she had during her healing process, the postpartum treatment she sought and how she recognized what was going on. 

Melanie experienced a massive change going from one child to two. She had extreme depression, and realized she could not go through this on her own. Melanie was told by a friend that it was just as important to take medication for depression, as it is for diabetes. She learned that day how important it was to take care of herself. She has learned it does not serve her to hold it in, and try to do it alone. After a miscarriage, it broker her heart to try and explain to her two kids why mom no longer had a baby. She was able to get pregnant again after this loss, she had massive anxiety during that pregnancy because of her miscarriage. Melanie taught me that no matter how far along you are, having a miscarriage is a loss. You still get to take care of yourself, and allow yourself to heal. 

Krista has two sets of twins, and a five year old. After giving birth to her last set of twins, she has learned more than she ever wanted to about the trails of having NICU babies. Krista shares about the birth story, struggles of balancing life at the NICU for months - and having three children home as well. Krista and her husband have so much on their plate, and she wanted to share her story in the middle of it all in hopes to help other moms know things she wishes she had known. Krista shares tips for parents going through it now, as well as family members and loved ones. I loved how Krista gave us ideas on how to support friends or family who may be going through this. It's always hard to know how to support someone going through so much. This is a beautiful story of survival, grief, fear, persistence, strength and hope. Krista is a warrior, fighter and incredible mom. 

Kim's sister Mindy struggled with extreme postpartum psychosis, and seeing her sister struggle has changed her forever . Kim shares the story of how her sister did the best she could to fight through it. After many struggles, traumatic events and so much more, Mindy took her own life on December 6, 2017. Kim urges moms to seek help and to keep going. To find support, to hold on. Kim shared that Mindy had a supportive, loving family with no childhood trauma. That it was not the way she was raised that caused her to go into such a deep depression. Postpartum psychosis is real, and watching her sister go through her experience has changed her life forever.  Kim urges anyone with a loved one, friend or neighbor going through postpartum of any kind - to stay connected. To ask them questions, make sure they are okay and to do the best you can to love them even when it's hard. We are so grateful for Kim, and her ability to talk in so much detail about her beautiful sister, Mindy. We could feel her there with us that night, it was very sacred. We know Mindy would want other moms to know they are not alone. 

In the middle of her grieving, Amanda reached out to us wanting to share her story for all the moms out there who need to hear from someone going through it right this moment. Rather than later, after some healing and time. Amanda was just 24 weeks pregnant when she went into pre-term labor. Milo was born a few days later on August 1, 2019. Amanda and her husband Skyler went through a roller coaster of emotions and experiences during the few weeks they were at the hospital fighting for Milo's life. After a hard battle, Milo passed on from this life. This left Amanda and Skyler leaving the hospital without a baby, and a long road of healing ahead of them. Amanda talks about being angry with God, yet still loving God and understanding. She talks about walking through grief, and the details of how to support someone you love through this. Amanda opened up about details that aren't talked about enough, this topic is kept so silent. So many parents suffer alone. Amanda and Skyler are out to help reach out and heal others going through this traumatic heartache. 

Brooke and Justin have faced so much adversity during their years of having babies. Job loss, anxiety, living with Brooke's parents, hospitalizing their newborn, breastfeeding struggles and more. They both experienced anxiety and depression as a result of the crazy whirlwind of becoming parents. The perfect storm of chaos caused Brooke's postpartum depression and anxiety to be so intense she finally had a breakdown. Brooke is not one to ask for help, and finally going to the doctor made all the difference for her. Justin talks about how being a dad and dealing with the aftermath of all of the adversity caused him to have anxiety to this day. Hearing how they are both so open to talk to each other about their mental health, and how they are preparing for her to have a baby again has inspired us to communicate with our partners even more! 

After an emergency c-section, Courtney experienced extreme sadness. She didn't feel like taking care of her son, or doing anything at all. Her son, Cael, had multiple health problems and surgeries. After all of this, Courtney and her husband decided to try for a second child. For the last several years they have tried just about every route of infertility treatments and none have been successful. Courtney shares her journey through all of it, and her hope that something has to give.