Resources for Pregnancy and Postpartum by Meg Terwilliger
Pregnancy is a great time to prioritize mental health and general self-care alongside prenatal care. Virago Wellness’ Meg Terwilliger shares some of her personal experience as well as local resources.
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My early impressions of labor and delivery came from Hollywood where every birth was depicted as an emergency and progressed at lightning speed with lots of drama. I had been hospitalized three times as a young adult and I hoped to never be hospitalized again so I had to think outside the box as I planned my first birth. It turns out real birth is rarely like Hollywood birth and often doesn’t go as planned. I’d love to share some of what I learned on my own journey in case it can be helpful to others.
Birth Roots in Portland
The early stages of pregnancy and parenting are some of the most formative times for new families. What is the right path for you? Through community, compassion, and a good sense of exploration, we’ll help you find your way.
And no matter what stage you’re in, you’ll find groups, classes, and events to help you build a more supported path forward.
This free resource guide from Birth Roots will connect you with support, education, services, and groups. Definitely take some time to flip through this guide!
Choose your healthcare providers with care.
Before my first pregnancy, I thought midwifery was an ancient, outdated profession. It turns out that midwives are alive and well in modern healthcare and I have found them to be quite amazing. Everyone needs to find providers that meet their individual needs, but if you haven’t found yours yet, I highly recommend talking with a midwife.
Did you know that midwives are trained and licensed to provide annual exams, preconception counseling, care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, care throughout menopause and more? And these services can sometimes be provided in the comfort of your own home.
Some midwives are trained to work in hospitals. They are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). These providers sometimes work in collaboration with OB/GYNs.
Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland: https://northernlighthealth.org/Our-System/Mercy-Hospital/Care-Centers-Services/Midwifery
Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick: Childbirth |Maternity Care | Mid Coast Hospital | Brunswick, ME
Since I was not interested in having my baby in a hospital setting, my partner and I hired midwives who were trained and licensed specifically for out of hospital birth. These are Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs).
Sacopee Midwives: https://www.sacopeemidwives.org/
Soft Corner Midwifery: https://softcornermidwifery.com/
Maine Coast Midwives & Medicine: https://www.mainecoastmidwives.com
Of course there are other providers who can expertly care for you during pregnancy and labor/birth, depending on your unique needs: family practitioners, OB/GYNs and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists. You can sign up to take a tour of the birth center at your local hospital to find out more.
Family Birth Center | Maine Medical Center | Portland, ME
Maine Med is prepared to handle high-risk pregnancies and some parents are more comfortable knowing there is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on site just in case.
Whatever healthcare providers you choose, I highly recommend also speaking with and hopefully hiring a doula. Birth Doulas are trained in how to support someone every step of the way based on what that person needs and wants. They know birth, they know the hospitals, they understand postpartum....and they can help you navigate!
Here is just one of the many local amazing doula practices to choose from: Full Story Birth
And speaking of postpartum… This is a rich liminal period and you will not regret taking it slow.
The early weeks after birth will most likely require some, if not all of the following: physical healing, creative sleep solutions, lactation support and shifting family dynamics. I invite you to stock your freezer and pantry with nourishing food and plan to spend five days in the bed, five days on the bed and five days near the bed with your new baby if at all possible.
Hopefully your birth doula will stick around to support you as you settle in with your newborn. Find out! If not, collect the names and phone numbers of some Postpartum Doulas and Lactation Consultants to have on hand just in case.
LA LECHE LEAGUE OF PORTLAND, MAINE
La Leche League of Portland, Maine provides families with free breastfeeding and parenting information, meetings to foster relationships and community support, as well as one-on-one guidance when challenges arise. La Leche League offers support to all who want to breastfeed, chestfeed, or provide human milk to their child.
Our volunteer Leaders have been accredited by La Leche League International and share a passion for supporting other parents and children in our community.
My last recommendation is to write down your birth story. This may take a few days and it doesn’t have to be perfect! but it’s a great way to process what may turn out to be a life changing experience. Even if nobody ever reads it but you. Even if your birth was not everything you had hoped it would be. Especially then! You can give yourself the gift of honoring whatever has happened and begin to understand how it has shaped your experience of trusting yourself, overcoming challenges and finding what is true for you.
Congratulations and best wishes!
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Meg is the administrative assistant at Virago Wellness. Two of her strong interests are reproductive rights for expectant parents and community-supported parenting.
