The Postpartum Revolution

Have you ever worried that you’re following in the footsteps of your own mother and drifting towards the same unpleasant habits? In today’s episode we dive deep into understanding patterns from our own parents and how they affect our own lives and the lives of our children. 

In this episode I talk with Amelia Mora Mars, mom of 10 and founder of Mom Connections where she works as a psychotherapist and mom coach to women raised by emotionally unavailable mothers. She empowers women to break the cycle, heal their hearts, and reclaim their lives. 

As a mom, she too had to learn to overcome these wounds caused by her own mother. Through her personal journey, she was able to forgive her mom and change the way she mothered her own children. She supports moms to leave a lasting legacy of love for their children and generations to come. 

Amelia’s story is very interesting and unique, yet, mothers all over the world have SO MANY similarities of unhealthy generational patterns between mothers and their children. 

Amelia founded Mom Connections to help give mothers the support and resources they need to start the journey of putting themselves first. She helps them gain the confidence to say no and set boundaries, and how to begin the “re-mothering” process. 

You can find Amelia’s offerings on her site:

Momconnections.com (She has a free webinar with more information about her process)

You can connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @momconnections

Or join her private Facebook group where she's creating her own tribe of support for all mothers: MomConnections Re-Mothering Tribe.

As, always, help support this revolution by subscribing, reviewing, and joining our community, The Postpartum Revolution 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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*Gains weight during pregnancy* 

People: Oh cute, you're eating for two!

*Gains weight postpartum* 

People: Ew, you need to start losing the baby fat ASAP.

Why do people think that our bodies are ready to start bouncing back to an intense exercise routine and restricted diet IMMEDIATELY after giving birth? Postpartum is the time that you need to rest, replenish, and recover! Childbirth and infant feeding demand a lot from our body, and when we deny those demands, our health can suffer. 

Here's why: 
- 20 million women in America have an eating disorder. 
- Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. 
- Only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media.
- 93% of individuals who identified disordered eating during their pregnancy are not identified by their providers. 

Jaren Soloff, a Registered Dietitian, an Internal Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and I discuss her experience with recovering from an eating disorder, how motherhood challenged her relationship with food and her body in ways she couldn't imagine,  the importance of practicing intuitive eating, especially around your children, and the dangers of restricting your diet while recovering from childbirth.

Jaren is the founder of FULL CRCL, which provides nutrition counseling and lactation consultations to help both mom and baby thrive in motherhood. Informed by her own journey and the hundreds of women she has counseled, Jaren’s experience comes full circle to support women in navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum from a simple and intuitive framework.

You can receive Jaren’s pre and post birth nutrition counseling or lactation counseling at her website: https://www.fullcrcl.co/about

Or follow her on Instagram: @Fullcrcl_

Check out her new cookbook:  The Postnatal Cookbook

Join the Postpartum Revolution on Facebook

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Welcome to episode 38, where I am STILL baffled about the knowledge gap, the misinformation, lack of information, contradictions, the high morbidity and mortality rates for pregnant and postpartum people, and all other failures in our healthcare system.  We have to do better.

Today, I talk with Tanya Tringali, another badass individual trying her best to provide real care and support to our postpartum and pregnant women. 

Tanya is the founder of Mother Wit Maternity Services. She is a Certified Nurse Midwife with 20 years of experience in Maternal-Infant health. She is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Crossfit Level 1 and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach. 

Tanya grew frustrated with the medical system and decided to do better for her clients. She stepped out of the system and created a holistic care program that closes the postpartum gap (let's be real, "void" might be a better word) by providing education, advocacy, and a comprehensive program of postpartum care. 

We talk about what to do during the first 2 weeks postpartum, what the 6 week exam is (and is not), what doctors know (and do not know), what informed consent really means, and how to wade through the sea of misinformation that’s out there to find the answers and the care team that is right for YOU.

We also mention the IRTH app - Birth without the Bias, it's like Yelp for maternity care. This app is something that ALL birthing people, specifically people of color, should use to help share experiences, rate providers and hospitals, and get the healthcare they deserve. So, BIPOC birthgivers - share your experiences! White birthgivers - l i s t e n to the experiences of BIPOC people and choose your providers accordingly. Again, White folks, we are here to l i s t e n (not speak) and vote with our dollars and choice of providers. 

Bottom line: you deserve a team who takes the time to educate you, listen to you, honor your choices, and support your recovery after childbirth. Periodt.

Connect with Tanya:

www.motherwitmaternity.com - book a FREE consultation with Tanya if you are interested in joining her amazing program. 

Follow her on IG: @mother.wit.maternity

Connect with Annie:
Postpartum Revolution FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/657837214948980

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullbloomwellness603/

Full Bloom Wellness FB: https://www.facebook.com/fullbloomwellness603

www.fullbloomwellness603.com

As always, like, comment, and share this podcast so this revolution can make some waves! 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Trauma exists on a spectrum, so why do we only take the big “T” trauma seriously? 

What about the little “t” trauma that happens to SO many mothers during pregnancy and childbirth? 

If providers can’t recognize trauma, then how can it be treated?

Many of these questions and more were answered in today’s episode with Emily Lapolice, a clinical social worker and trauma center trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator (TCTSY). 

We discuss HOW trauma so often occurs in pregnancy and birth experiences, WHY this is more common than not, and WHAT we can do to fix it. 

Emily is a certified yoga instructor specializing in work with trauma, anxiety, and perinatal mental health and at 60:22 she offers a mini practice on being present and truly listening to your body’s needs. 

Check out the book Emily contributed to here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/645679/embodied-healing-by-jennifer-turner/

Visit her website: https://www.iwtherapies.com

Learn more about TCTSY: https://www.traumasensitiveyoga.com/

Sign up for TCTSY trainings:
 3-hour Intro Workshop in March

20-hour Training in April 

Emily is currently involved in research projects studying TCTSY applications in the perinatal and Native American / Indigenous populations.

As always, follow the Postpartum Revolution Facebook Group!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Warning friends, this episode is explicit. So hold on to your hats because today is all about truth bombs and real talk. 

Joining us we have, Melissa Cioffi, a pelvic health PT, whose story begins fresh out of  school where she jumped into corporate healthcare and was ready to change some lives… only, that’s not what really happened. 

Four years later and Dr. Mel realized that the system was failing her patients, doctors, and herself. So, she said f*ck the system and set off on her own practice. 

Now, Melissa is doing her diligence to provide the public with knowledge and power. 

Today she’s here to help give her tips to seeing a pelvic PT without an MD script, knowing what questions to ask when looking for the right healthcare provider, and when to leave your provider when something isn’t right

She also has some FREE resources for your pelvic health including her own podcast; Finally Fearless and new eBook; Finally Floored- Learning All About a Part of Your Body You Never Knew Existed AKA the Pelvic Floor

Download the PDF here

You can also find her at her website at yournewquest.com

Or follow her on Instagram: @dr.mel_pt

Join the Postpartum Revolution Facebook Group so we can grow this community and have more power.

Enjoying The Postpartum Revolution Podcast? Click that subscribe button and leave a review! 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Are you ready to make some changes and take action with this revolution?

Now is the time! And my friend, Joy Burkhard, is helping lead the way. 

“Joy is the founder and executive director of 2020 Mom a non-profit social change organization aggressively working to close gaps in maternal mental health through education, awareness, and advocacy.”

We discuss some of Joy’s big projects happening in 2021, which include Mom Congress and TheBlueDot Project.

Mom Congress endorses federal policies that support mothers during birth and postpartum. A few changes in the works include paid family leave, affordable childcare, maternal mental health, maternal mortality, Black maternal health, and support for working moms.

TheBlueDot Project focuses on maternal mental health and creates a community that combats the stigma and shame of these disorders. 

If you want to see this revolution soar, please take action to support the changes you want to see in the world. We know you're a busy parent, so Joy and her team made it easy to join.

The goal is to have as big of a voice as the AARP and NRA and we can do it if we stick together and speak up!

Need more inspiration to get involved? Check out the Maternal and Mental Health Forum March 24-26, 2021 and you get a discount for being a part of the Postpartum Revolution! Use Promo Code: PPREVO2021

Join Mom Congress:

https://www.mom-congress.com/get-involved-individuals

You can also read more about the TheBlueDot Project here:  https://www.thebluedotproject.org

To learn more about 2020 Mom, check out the website for even more projects and ways you can help this movement. 

https://www.2020mom.org/

To find the article mentioned in the podcast about maternal mortality rates:

https://www.vox.com/2020/1/30/21113782/pregnancy-deaths-us-maternal-mortality-rate

Join something worth sharing in 2021. 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Part two of Rose Schieck’s episode is here! Last week, Rose shared her experience of motherhood and how she struggled to find herself in the chaos... if you haven't listened to it yet, make sure it's on your list! 

Rose starts this episode by reading a powerful message from Barbara Brennan’s book, Light Emerging. 

In part two, we dive a bit deeper into how our energies affect our children inside and out of the womb and how we can better recognize when we subconsciously act out from our own desperation. 

We continue the discussion on finding those pockets of space for yourself, even if it’s one minute of breathwork or just staying in bed that little bit longer.

We need to make ourselves a priority. We do this by letting go of perfectionism and taking time for ourselves. And Rose will unapologetically preach this message to whoever needs to hear it.

Connect with Rose
https://www.mamastewell.com/
Instagram: @mamastewell
Facebook: Mamaste Well

Join Rose's upcoming workshop

Rose's blogs related to today's episode:
Your Energy Matters, Mama
Self Talk

Follow me, your host, Annie on Instagram, and join the Postpartum Revolution on Facebook!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

Support the show

Rose Schieck did all the right things to prepare for her pregnancy, but what she didn’t prepare for was motherhood and postpartum. Sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression came full force once she jumped back into work 2 months after becoming a new mom.

After a year of self-doubt, guilt, and way too little sleep, Rose decided she needed to do something for herself. She became a registered yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance. 

With a new yogic lens, Rose was able to reevaluate her life priorities and begin walking the path of self-discovery. 

She continued her education by training to become an Energy Medicine Yoga Level one teacher and Reiki I & II Master. 

With new knowledge and a new appreciation for herself, she was able to prepare herself better for her second birth. 

Rose shares tips from her experience on how you too, can enjoy motherhood and start your own journey towards self-discovery. 

This is part one of the episode as we dive deeper into how to find yourself during motherhood. 

Connect with Rose
https://www.mamastewell.com/
Instagram: @mamastewell
Facebook: Mamaste Well

Join Rose's upcoming workshop

Rose's blogs related to today's episode:
Your Energy Matters, Mama
Self Talk

Follow me, your host, Annie on Instagram, and join the Postpartum Revolution on Facebook!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

Support the show

The first 3 months after childbirth are a tricky time (understatement of the year, I know). You want to feel fit and strong again, but are also immensely tired. Your body is sore, squishy, stinky, sweaty... you feel anything but sexy. You hear conflicting advice - should I rest? Exercise more? What's the best, fastest, safest way to feel at home in my body again? Who can I trust to guide me?

Enter Lindsay McCoy.

Lindsay is a busy mom of 4, dog owner, wife, birth doula, personal trainer, and co-founder of One Strong Mama, an online pre and post-natal exercise program.

Lindsay has a classic story of having her first child only to realize there is so much wrong with the way women are prepared and set up for the birth of a child. 

She knew that the system was broken and she knew that she needed to change that.

By her second child, she was able to prepare herself better for a much better experience. 

Lindsay understood that it wasn’t realistic for a postpartum mom to go back to running 5+ miles a day, or back to CrossFit training just 6 weeks after birth. 

Between not knowing whether to rest or to exercise, our system sets us up for failure. Thus, Lindsay and her co-founder Lauren Ohayon created One Strong Mama.

OSM is a very educational-based program that helps pre and postnatal women start small movements that will gradually lead them to their fitness goals, all in due time. 

She focuses on avoiding fear-based language and setting up the foundation of knowledge, so every woman can make the choice that fits their body and lifestyle needs. 

Follow Lindsay to get her best tips and advice at:

IG @onestrongmamaprenatal

FB Group: One Strong Mama Community

To find her online pre & postnatal program go to her website at www.onestrongmama.com

Lindsay and Lauren also hav a podcast: One Strong Mama Podcast

And, don’t forget to join the Revolution and follow me, Annie, your host on:

IG @fullbloomwellness603

FB Group: The Postpartum Revolution

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

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Welcome to week two of January and I am very excited to bring in Lindsey Vestal, who is just as passionate and excited to chat about pelvic health as I am. Lindsey is a Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist and also the founder of The Functional Pelvis, the first in-home pelvic health practice in New York City. 

Lindsey has a holistic approach for her clients and looks at the small, everyday changes that can really impact your pelvic health in a positive way. 

Lindsey has a touching story to begin her path in this direction and is very passionate about finding the right solutions for every person and their needs. 

We discuss how to regulate the nervous system, how to determine if you have an overactive or underactive pelvic floor, why kegels aren’t always the answer and a better alternative to strengthening your pelvic floor. 

Lindsey has some great resources and an amazing program, Kegels That Work. Her program is made to be inexpensive and beneficial for every pre and postnatal woman. 

She also has a killer newsletter with weekly tips called The Humpday Hustle. Find these resources at functionalpelvis.com

Connect with Lindsey on Instagram & Facebook

12:03 Lindsey’s approach for clients

20:46 How to regulate nervous system 

27:29 Overactive/Underactive pelvic floor (kegels aren’t the answer!)

38:25 An alternative to kegels

58:22 Lindsey’s message to the PP Rev

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to be a guest on the show? Email me at [email protected]

Support the show