This pregnancy resource is sponsored by Vios Fertility Institute. The mission at Vios Fertility Institute is to help patients find their way to fertility health and treatment with the highest chance of success by providing them with innovative, scientific, cutting-edge treatment options along with an unparalleled patient experience.
Pregnancy Resource: 6 Care Providers You Didn’t Know You Needed
There are the no-brainer decisions that have to be made when a baby is on the way, but this pregnancy resource aims to help mothers think outside the norm a bit! The pregnancy and postpartum period can be filled with lots of joy and special moments, but it can also be overwhelming when researching all the things you feel like you need to know to get ready for and care for your baby. Sometimes we get so focused on baby, that we neglect caring for ourselves as a parent or don’t even know that helpful resources are out there to support us on the pregnancy and postpartum journey.
This pregnancy resource is a collaborative effort of the moms from the MKE Moms Blog contributor team, all based on our personal experiences. We like to take out the guessing and shoot it to you straight. We know there are things you don’t know (we didn’t) and we are here to help you out by sharing what was helpful for us. The good news is that help and support is just a call away! We hope that this list is helpful for you to get the services and support you need.
1. Fertility Specialist
It’s not often talked about, but starting or growing a family isn’t always as easy as we might think! There are also a lot of misconceptions about fertility, options, and even measures that can be taken to plan ahead for maximizing someone’s chances of conceiving that can be done. The team at VIOS Fertility Institute works with patients to determine their fertility goals, identify the challenges, and create a specialized plan to achieve success. Whether that challenge is secondary infertility, advanced maternal age, medical concerns like endometriosis, or perhaps it’s something like freezing eggs to plan ahead for the future — the doctors at VIOS know that everyone’s fertility journey is different and they are ready to walk with you to a successful finish.
“No one ever thinks they will need a fertility specialist …. until they do. Our fertility doctor helped my husband and I to realize that we weren’t failing, we just needed a different method to get pregnant. Seeing him helped us see that we weren’t alone in our fight to conceive. After a few months of testing for both my husband and myself, we found that a few small changes made all the difference and we were able to get successfully pregnant with our first.” -Erin
2. Chiropractor
Chiropractic care is an often overlooked component that could significantly improve a pregnant mother’s well-being, help her achieve her birth goals, and support the body’s needs in the postpartum period. Simply said, chiropractic adjustments enable your body to operate at its best before, during, and after your pregnancy.
“Seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy helped my baby move out of the breech position. It helped relieve sciatic nerve pain and pressure on my hips.” – Meg
“I saw a chiropractor who specializes in the Webster Technique throughout my whole pregnancy. I so looked forward to my appointments with her because the following two nights after my adjustment, I would actually be able to sleep comfortably all night. I had a lot of round ligament pain that went away with chiropractic support.” – Lauren
3. Mental Health Specialist
Around here, we are passionate about making sure that mothers are aware of the importance of caring for their mental health as much as the physical well-being of their baby both during the prenatal and postpartum period. Too many lives have been lost or damaged by mental health disorders that have gone untreated. Be up front and honest with your physician and don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself if you are experiencing symptoms that feel “off” and raise your concerns.
“Seeing a therapist who specialized in Postpartum Anxiety saved my family from falling apart. It helped me live again. I could watch my partner walk out the door for work without sobbing. I felt confidence in my ability to be a mother and a human again. I found my therapist through Moms Mental Health Initiative. They got me help in record time and with loving support.” – Anonymous
“I struggled in my postpartum period with my second before I even left the hospital. For eight weeks, I white-knuckled my way through motherhood, seeing other mental health providers without any relief. Within hours of admission to rogers memorial hospital, I had an accurate diagnosis, and a plan for recovery. I am not exaggerating when I say that their inpatient facility and then their partial hospitalization program gave me my life back. They provided me with world-class care, and when the insurance ran out, found me a scholarship to finish my program. I don’t know what would have happened had I not found them, but I will be forever grateful I did.” – Kate
4. International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
It’s no secret that births sometimes don’t go according to a mother’s carefully crafted birth plans. When something like an unexpected or emergency surgical birth takes place, or even if you find yourself struggling with the unfair stigma that often surrounds a Caesarean section birth, an ICAN Support Group can make a world of difference!
“After having an emotionally traumatic C-Section birth, multiple friends of mine sent me information to find a local ICAN support group. ICAN helped me process and heal from my birth trauma by giving me a safe space to tell my story without judgement and make me feel less isolated by hearing other mother’s traumatic birth stories as well. They also have educated me in options for future births after having a cesarean with my first and I have also gotten a great VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) advocate OB recommendation. In addition to cesarean moms, they welcome anyone who has had a traumatic birth to their support meetings.” -Raisa
5. Physical Therapist / Pelvic Floor Therapist
Given how hard our entire bodies have to work (especially the pelvic floor!) to carry and deliver a baby, you would think that paying special attention to the messages our body sends us would be second nature, but it often isn’t. The changes and transformations that the pregnancy and birth experience put us through leaves repercussions behind that often need the help of a physical therapist for relief.
“Following the birth of my twins, I started having horrible headaches and chronic pain. After thousands of dollars of tests and the anxiety of lots of “what if” scenarios, I saw a physical therapist. He confirmed that through pregnancy and nursing, my muscles and posture in my upper back, shoulders, and neck were completely out of whack, causing me extreme pain and TMJ symptoms. Through seeing my chiropractor and physical therapist, I’ve found SUCH relief! Our bodies endure so much change and trauma throughout pregnancy and childbirth, I feel as though seeing a chiropractor and physical therapist should be routine to help us get back into a normal way of functioning.” -Heather
“For well over a decade, I dealt with increasingly persistent incontinence that eventually infiltrated my everyday life. Things like laughing or coughing would results in leaks so bad that I had to change my clothes. I avoided activities with my kids or had to wear a pad the size of a diaper just to make sure I didn’t wind up embarrassed in public. To make it worse, I was experiencing painful intercourse and lower back pain that I had no clue was tied to overly tight pelvic floor muscles. When I started working with a pelvic floor therapist, it changed everything I was able to start reclaiming a normal life again!” – Sarah
6. Doula
A doula’s job is to support the mother through the birth experience, no matter what that experience looks like. She offers encouragement, acts as a liaison if needed, a couch, a cheerleader, a shoulder to cry on, and will be your advocate from start to finish. In Milwaukee, there has been a significant effort to increase the number of trained doulas that are working toward assisting mothers in the city to lowering black infant and maternal mortality rates. The importance of a doula cannot be understated!
“I got induced and my doula arrived shortly after. She supported me and my family during her time with us. When it was decided that I was going to have a c-section, she made sure I was ok and then went to support my significant other, who was having a hard time. She stayed with us until about an hour after my son was born. It was amazing to have additional support and be cared for by someone so warm and nurturing.” -Veraunica
We hope you find this pregnancy resource helpful and encourage you to reach out if you are looking for specific recommendations in your area. Share with a friend and be sure to let us know if you utilized one of these care providers in the past!
Don’t be afraid to seek out support from friends, family, support groups, or a therapist. And if a fertility specialist is on your list, check out Vios Fertility Institute to see if they are the right fit for your family.
