Postpartum Health Alliance

Welcome Our New Fundraising Chair! We’re thrilled to introduce Meredith Fear, MPA (She/Her) as our new Fundraising Chair! ?? Meredith brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit development, specializing in foundation relations. Currently serving as Director of Foundation Relations at UC Merced, she has a strong track record of securing support for education and early care initiatives. Previously, Meredith played a key role at the Salk Institute, fostering science education partnerships that brought hands-on learning into classrooms and the community. With a background in operations, communications, and fundraising, she’s dedicated to advancing equity through education. When she’s not making an impact in the nonprofit world, Meredith loves spending time outdoors with her husband and young son. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! #PostpartumHealthAlliance#NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising

We’re excited to share that our next Postpartum Health Alliance Education Event is on the horizon! Join us for “Psychiatric Emergencies in the Peripartum Period” presented by Dr. Tara Toohey. ??? Date: Friday, April 11, 2025 ?? Virtual Webinar ? CEs Available PHA welcomes attendees both locally and across the country to our virtual events. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge and strengthen the support available to parents and families. Mark your calendars — registration details coming soon! #PostpartumHealthAlliance #PerinatalMentalHealth #ContinuingEducation

We'll be there, come say hi! ??

We are delighted to return as a sponsor again this year for the 2025 Symposium Hosted by Institute of Reproductive Grief Care. The 2025 Symposium is an educational and networking event for healthcare and mental health providers, doulas, midwives, community leaders, and other care professionals. Advocates of compassionate reproductive grief care will come together to discuss how to transform reproductive grief care for those affected by loss. 5CEs are available. Please plan to join us virtually or in-person. Space is limited, register today at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gWjewbBe

I vividly remember my voice being dismissed during my 40-hour labor experience until my mother, an RN herself, advocated —loudly — for my care. Black women are STILL dying at three times the rate of any other race or ethnicity. Three. Times. These disparities in maternal health outcomes are not just statistics—they are lived experiences that highlight a systemic failure to listen to and care for Black women. This crisis is not just about healthcare—it’s about the intersections of racism, bias, and systemic neglect.

The current climate in the United States has left many immigrant families feeling uncertain and vulnerable... While nothing has been defined yet, it is wise to take proactive steps to prepare and face this uncertainty. —Liliana Hernández, MEd, LPC-S, PMH-C, and facilitator of the Spanish Support Group for Immigrant Parents at PSI Espa?ol. ?? Prepare yourself: Know your rights and available resources ?? Plan for your children's care ?? Focus on what you can control ?? Learn how to manage stress and anxiety during the perinatal period ?? Read the full blog here: https://loom.ly/r8_ysNU

Women’s* health across the lifespan is receiving more attention than ever. It’s now widely accepted that women experience a second puberty during perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause. This time typically begins in a woman’s early 40s, though it can start as early as mid-thirties, and even earlier for some. ?? The M Factor (@themfactorfilm) is a groundbreaking documentary that breaks the silence around menopause, shining a light on the real-life experiences of women and the urgent need for change in healthcare. ???Join us on January 27th at 5pm for: ?? A panel discussion with local experts ?? A documentary screening featuring top doctors and advocates for women’s health ??Mingei International Museum 1439 El Prado San Diego 92101 This is your chance to learn how doctors are tackling the important questions that have long impacted women’s lives and health. ??? Tickets are expected to sell out—don’t wait! Get yours here: https://buff.ly/3DPOfsF * “Women” is meant to include people of all genders who are experiencing or anticipating the impact of menopause. #PostpartumHealthAlliance #MenopauseAwareness #TheMFactorFilm #WomensHealth #BreakingStigmas #Menopause #Perimenopause #CommunityMatters #AdvocacyMatters

Did you know that many women experience #mistreatment during childbirth? From #verbalabuse to #unconsentedprocedures, the numbers are alarming. It's time to raise awareness and become informed about resources that can help during this difficult journey and support emotional healing. ??? This new Spanish support group is a safe space to reframe difficult experiences during #birth, heal wounds, and move toward recovery. Together, we will transform fear into love and silence into #empowerment. Spread the word to someone who could use this help in Spanish. ?? December 6 - 8:00 PM ET. ?? Register for free: https://loom.ly/iBuR7yI

“We would all love the instant and magical, but there is no switch to flip that brings this experience on, and it does not always happen instantly. It can take some time for a mother and her baby to emotionally cozy up with each other.” — Ayo Ayeni – Founder, Haven Advocacy. “Sometimes it’s love at first sight; other times, it’s a process or transition into something amazing, and we need a minute.” ? Tips that may help you bond with your baby ? -Be patient with yourself and your baby -Focus on the positive interactions with your baby -Talk to your baby or read to them. Even though they can’t understand you yet, talking to them can help them feel connected to you -Recall how much you love your baby and all you’re doing for the baby’s well-being -Skin-to-skin contact, as it helps regulate the baby’s heart rate and breathing and releases oxytocin in the mother’s brain ?? Read full blog: https://loom.ly/r-znivw

?? What is the relationship between intrusive thoughts and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? Intrusive thoughts are a common experience in the perinatal period and may be related to OCD. However, it is crucial to understand that not all intrusive thoughts indicate a diagnosis of OCD. It is critical to know how to differentiate between these experiences in order to offer appropriate support and treatment to mothers. During our Spanish webinar on December 4, we will learn how to identify intrusive thoughts and their relationship to OCD, and how to address them clinically. This knowledge is vital for healthcare professionals working with mothers in the perinatal period. ?? Sign up and join Dr. Gracia Lasheras Pérez in this important journey towards better care! ?? https://loom.ly/qgUH4yU #PerinatalMentalHealth #IntrusiveThoughts #OCD ???????? ?? ?Qué relación hay entre los pensamientos intrusivos y el Trastorno Obsesivo-Compulsivo (TOC)? Los pensamientos intrusivos son una experiencia común en el periodo perinatal y pueden estar relacionados con el TOC. Sin embargo, es crucial entender que no todos los pensamientos intrusivos indican un diagnóstico de TOC. Es fundamental saber diferenciar entre estas experiencias para ofrecer el apoyo y tratamiento adecuado a las madres. Durante nuestro webinar el 4 de diciembre, aprenderemos a identificar los pensamientos intrusivos y su relación con el TOC, y cómo abordarlos clínicamente. Este conocimiento es vital para los profesionales de la salud que trabajan con madres en el periodo perinatal. ?? ?Regístrate y únete a la Dra. Gracia Lasheras Pérez en este importante recorrido hacia una mejor atención! ?? https://loom.ly/qgUH4yU #SaludMentalPerinatal #PensamientosIntrusivos #TOC