The knowledge of what happens during the first few weeks and months after birth is going through a bit of a renaissance right now (thank goodness), but that doesn’t mean we all know what the hell is going to happen, or that certain myths and misconceptions don’t persist. Let’s be real- postpartum healing can be mystifying, confusing, and even troubling, so it’s easy to default back to our culture’s groupthink about what it should be like.

I wish I could say there are a ton of resources out there to support you postpartum, and that I’m farming them to supply you with the best ones here, but I’m not. Compared to birth and pregnancy information out there in the world, it is difficult (or at least it has been) to find equally as focused, comprehensive information that is devoted to postpartum healing. So in an effort to help you get the most out of what is available, I’m listing what I think is truly indispensable.

If you feel like it’s within reason to reach out for support so you can recover during the first few months after birth, you’re right! For better or for worse, you’ll probably have to rally this support from scratch and you’ll need some strategies to do so.

"The simple act of consciously holding deep gaze with someone is a profound exchange of energy- in many cultures looking directly into someone's eyes is considered rude and intrusive. For me, it puts me right up against my impulse to hide, to stay small and unseen."

"Because personal growth and spiritual development is nothing without embodiment- we cannot sustain it, we can not fully embrace it into our being without integrating it physically and asking our body to come along"