In Person Support in an Online Age
In this day and age, we are a very separated culture. With social media and the internet, it is very easy to “connect” in the online world, gain new information, and easily see what other people have going on in their lives. When it comes to having a new baby, there are many online resources out there to choose from- and what we are all seeking as new parents is connection. So, how do we form that tribe when most of the world is looking at their phone or seeking advice on the internet?
In Person Support.
In person support is holistic and human focused. Whether it is from a professional or a friend. Let’s focus on the birth and postpartum professionals.
Not only do these folks want to help you achieve your goals as new parents, but they want you to feel seen! Having a real person, with whom you can have a face to face conversation about the many joys and struggles of parenthood can be extremely beneficial, and potentially life-saving. A lot of us have heard of neuron mirroring, but for those of you who don’t know what that is, here is the short definition. “Neural mirroring is the overlap between how we perceive and produce actions. It's a process that involves mirror neurons, a type of brain cell that fire when we perform an action and when we observe someone else perform the same action.” So think of it this way, when a birth or postpartum professional comes through your door- smiling, calm, loving, and perhaps we are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and sad, not only do they really listen to you, but your body is picking up on these cues and create a more balanced and “mirrored” experience.
What about friends and family?
If it feels safe to ask your friend or member of your family to come to your home for a visit, I urge you to! Maybe that feels like too much right now, and it’s ok. What about going to the park or taking your new baby for a walk together? Walking can be one of the greatest ways to allow unspoken words to flow, your heart to feel lighter, and it’s also great for your physical health!
All this to say, in person support during pregnancy and the postpartum period is the way to go! Create that community, feel supported by your tribe.
