Becoming a Mother Is a Massive Life Change

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.

Maternal and fetal death rates for Black birthing women are off the charts compared to all other groups. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women. Black babies are four times more likely to die from birth complications. Yikes! Black women really have to move differently when navigating the healthcare system to ensure a safe transition for their baby (and themselves) during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.  

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) 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.

Ready? Let's schedule a time to discuss how I can support you.

Black Maternal Mental Wellmess

Online Coaching for Birthing Women

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...

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 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. 

Black maternal wellness MATTERS! Black women deserve to have safe and healthy pregnancies and childbirth experiences. 

It’s hard to enjoy your pregnancy when you have to be on high alert around ensuring you are receiving the best prenatal care. Chronic stress and anxiety can have a detrimental impact on your pregnancy and/or pregnancy related outcomes (preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, low birth weight). This sets the stage for poor maternal mental health, perhaps even manifesting as perinatal/postpartum depression and anxiety. We may not know how to advocate for ourselves or even know our rights. Black women should not have to endure pain, neglect, and loss in what's supposed to be one of the most joyous times in their lives. 

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 new born 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.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. —African proverb

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.

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. 

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.

FAQ

  • Many birthing people, working parents, and stay-home moms benefit from the combination of therapy and life and maternal wellness coaching since the approaches are different but very compatible.

    A life coach can be hugely beneficial for anyone looking for empowerment and who is ready to work. Sessions focus mostly on goal setting, action items, and accountability. Coaching works best under specific time frames and is a great way to inspire change or work through difficult periods. This is not a tool I would recommend for anyone with a significant mental health problem who needs support, unless the coach is also a qualified, licensed, and practicing mental health professional.

    A psychotherapist works with anyone wanting to address mental health issues without the use of medication. Psychotherapy often focuses on the dynamics brought to the session by the client (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptoms, grief, relationship issues, PTSD). Typically, communication is limited between sessions..

  • If you want to know more or are ready to start your journey with me, I suggest we start with an initial consultation.

    During this time together, we'll get to know one another better. I'll ask you some questions, and you can ask me anything. If we are a good fit, we will schedule our first session to start your transformational journey.

    Most clients work with me for about eight sessions over the course of two or three months. Some clients return for a monthly or quarterly session. Others enjoy a longer-term relationship.

    Please book a consultation to learn more!

  • Likely. It truly depends on my caseload and how full I am. I keep my caseload small in order to provide the best quality care and service to my clientele.

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Schedule your consutlation with today.