Guest Blog: To All New Mommas, You Are Not Alone.
From St. Louis Maternity and Newborn Photographer Amber Sargent
To All New Mommas, You Are Not Alone.
By: Lucy Bigelow
Becoming a new momma is a life-changing experience…
Becoming a new momma during a worldwide pandemic? An overwhelming experience.
Many of you new moms have been navigating the impossible during the past year.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your first baby or your fifth.
And it doesn’t matter how that babe is joining your family either..
Pregnancy, IVF, surrogacy, adoption…
You may have found out you were expecting your new little one amid the changing world to be first filled with excitement and love, thinking...
“We’re finally pregnant!”
“I can’t wait to meet this baby!”
“How should we announce our news to our families?!”
Only to have some very different feelings quickly rush in…
“Wait… will I even be able to have a baby shower?”
“Will my spouse be able to come to my appointments, or even the labor and delivery!?”
“How are we going to be able to do this without all the support of a community?”
“Will I have to labor and deliver wearing a mask?”
“So much is out of my control!”
No matter what obstacles come your way on this journey through motherhood,
I’m here to tell you that you are strong.
The universe chose you,
you were chosen to be this baby’s momma.
YOU are the perfectly, imperfect momma that this little babe needs.
And there are going to be thousands of moments and a thousand more emotions on this journey.
The hard moments are going to feel like they will last forever..
And beautiful moments you will try to cling to for eternity.
But none of those moments is permanent, they will all come and go.
The only real change of permanence, is that you are now, and forever will be, a mother.
And just as your baby needs you to thrive and grow,
you also need support to thrive and grow in your new role too.
Women are not meant to make the change from maidenhood to motherhood alone.
You need a community, a village of supporters who want to see you flourish in your motherhood.
And during this unprecedented time, that community may look a little different than before,
but it’s still here. You just need to find it.
So I’m here to try to make those first steps to finding your community easier, because you matter too.
Remember, your babe will thrive most when they have a momma who is thriving too.
With Love,
Lucy Bigelow
Peer-Led Support Group Facilitator & Founding Member
Mommas' Circle
Build your support team here:
Mental Health:
Postpartum Support International
Missouri Coordinator: Linda Meyer
Phone: 314-602-5184
Email: psimocoordinator@yahoo.com
Pelvic Floor Therapists:
https://www.legacytherapystl.com/
https://www.athletico.com/
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Pelvic Pain and Incontinence | STAR
Pelvic Rehabilitation - Program in Physical Therapy
Car Seat Technicians:
https://safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-missouri
Le Leche League:
https://www.lllstl.org/
LLL of Greater St. Louis (314) 424-3900
LLL of Metro East Illinois (618) 321-6667
St. Louis City: St. Louis City Group – Erin (314) 249-4412
St. Louis County: Creve Coeur – click here for several Leaders’ phone numbers
Toddler Group – Becky (314) 616-5069
University City – Jennifer (314) 962-3918
Webster Groves/Maplewood – Erin (314) 249-4412
St. Charles City and County: St. Charles – Barb (636) 946-4404
O’Fallon – Barb (636) 946-4404
Jefferson County: Fenton – Dawn (636) 748-4861
Franklin County: New Haven – Katherine (314) 520-7306
Metro East – Southern Illinois: Maryville – Dee (618) 344-1681
Fairview Heights – Michelle (573) 247-3042
Doulas, Postpartum Doulas, and Childbirth Educators:
http://www.doulasofgreaterstlouis.com/find-a-doula.html
IBCLC’s and Lactation Consultants:
International Lactation Consultant Association: NEW FALC Directory
Lactation Consultations for Moms in St. Louis
Babywearing:
Greater STL Babywearing
Child Development:
Missouri First Steps
Early Childhood / Parents As Teachers Program
Support Groups:
Wednesdays - SSM Health DePaul Hospital
1st Wednesday 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
3rd Wednesday 6 - 8 p.m.
Meeting ID: 950 4717 5378
Password: 767288
Wednesday Afternoons - SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton
2nd and 4th Wednesdays 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 914 8989 8526
Password: 443554
Friday Mornings - SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis
2nd and 4th Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meeting ID: 682 331 0645
Password: 142917
Thursday Nights - Kangaroo Kids
2nd and 4th Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 976 3852 8754
Password: 672218
Monday Mornings - Jamaa Birth Village
1st & 3rd Mondays 10 a.m. - Noon
Meeting ID: 931 5653 5891
Password: 171304
Tuesday Nights - Jamaa Birth Village
2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6 - 8 p.m.
Meeting ID: 918 5091 3540
Password: 994866
Tuesday Late Nights - First Ladies Network
1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Meeting ID: 969 7116 4265
Password: 353802
Mommas’ Circle
St Charles (via Zoom)
Meeting ID: 893 2000 0474
Passcode: motherhood
Childcare & Schools:
St. Louis: Preschools and Child Care Centers Faith Based
Childcare Connection-St. Louis City, St. Louis County and Jefferson County
Shelters for Women & Children:
https://www.startherestl.org/housing-shelters-for-women.html
Women's Safe House: Domestic Violence Shelter St. Louis
Room at the Inn | Shelter with a purpose, Clients with a future
St.Louis MO Homeless Shelters
Sargent Photography is a custom portrait photographer in O’Fallon, Missouri serving the greater St. Charles and St. Louis area.
I would love to help you with maternity, newborn, children, and family portrait sessions. Get in touch today to customize your dream session!
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Sargent Photography is a custom portrait maternity, newborn, and family photographer in O’Fallon, Missouri serving the greater St. Charles and St. Louis area.
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