Ashley Hanson

The Comprehensive Resource Guide for New Parents Photo by ​The Honest Company​ on ​Unsplash First-time parents are going through an exciting and sometimes scary time, both before and after their baby is born. This is where information and knowledge is critical. It’s impossible to predict what type of support you may need, and this list puts it all in one place for you. Adoption Support If you plan to give up your baby for adoption, or if you’re a prospective adoptive parent, there are numerous support groups available. Pre and post adoption groups let you connect with people around the world that know exactly what you’re going through. They can also coach you on what to expect going forward. ● Center for Adoption Support and Education​ is a huge network for mental health help, education, and resources for foster care and adoption. They have webinars you can join and participate in, workshops, free resources, counseling sessions, and training for adoption competency. ● Child Welfare Information Gateway​ is a government-run website that gives potential adoptive families information on what to expect, common issues families face, how to find local services, and state resources available. ● National Council for Adoption​ has resources for adoptive families, adopted individuals, birth parents, professionals, and any who is pregnant and considering adoption. You can share your story, connect with local groups, and read up on adoption laws. ● North American Council on Adoptable Children​ is another government-run website that lists adoption support groups by state. You can get specialized training, find a parent group, be a youth advocate, a find a huge collection of frequently asked questions and answers. Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Many moms choose to breastfeed, but the actual support seems to end almost as soon as you leave the hospital. This can lead to feeling lost and stopping breastfeeding earlier than you intended. Whatever the reason, there is a lot of online and in-person support you can use. They include: ● Kelly Mom​ and ​La Leche League​ are very good resources for breastfeeding help. Both are led by mothers, for mothers, and it’s completely free. There are local chapters of La Leche League as well. Kelly Mom gives you a host of research-based information as well. ● American Academy of Family Physicians​ offers new moms a breastfeeding toolkit, evidence-based support, information on community-based organizations, and advocacy efforts. ● American Academy of Pediatrics​ has a section that addresses concerns surrounding breastfeeding ranging from latching issues milk production. ● Baby Cafe USA​ gives free resources for breastfeeding mothers. You get opportunities to meet mothers in similar situations, connect, and get support from trained staff. ● International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants​ is for moms with premature babies or more difficult issues like properly diagnosing low milk supply. You can find a lactation consultant and check the website to make sure they registered. ● Stanford Medicine​ has an impressive of breastfeeding videos. They’re very useful when you’re first starting out and unsure of yourself. ● WIC Breastfeeding Support​ is a website that has numerous resources, including the basics, what to expect when your baby arrives, how to overcome common breastfeeding challenges, and how you can get others involved. Cesarean Delivery Support Cesarean deliveries can be traumatic and unexpected. Many people feel “cheated” out of a natural birth, and this can have a direct mental health impact. Luckily, there are support groups available. ● If you had or will have a cesarean delivery, there are support groups both locally and online. The International Cesarean Awareness Network has a closed Facebook group​ you can ask to join, or you can search for ​chapters​ in your state. ● Solace for Mothers​ provides support to help mothers heal after a more traumatic birth. You’ll get a free phone call with a trained person, or you can opt for in-person meetings. Mothers get a confidential and safe setting to share their stories, and they’ll give community referrals. ● C-Section Recovery​ is a huge online forum where women share their stories and talk about a broad range of topics related to having a c-section. You can connect with other women and find information about everything from the procedure to healing. Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss Support No one ever wants to think about miscarrying or losing a pregnancy, and it can be extremely traumatic. There are excellent support groups available, both in-person and online. ● Tommy’s​ is an online community that allows you to share your story, connect with others, visit support groups, get help sorting out your feelings, watch videos, and more. ● Compassionate Friends​ has a 50-year history of helping families survive losing a child. They have state chapters, online support groups, family support, crisis hotlines, 24/7 Facebook groups, and more. ● Bears of Hope​ is an Australian-based group that offers facts, support for individuals, family, and friends, and resources. You can take advantage of phone support, online support, and in-person support. ● Miscarriage Association​ is a UK-based organization that has online resources to help families deal with miscarriages. There are hundreds of support volunteers who are ready to listen 24 hours a day, and an online forum. ● March of Dimes​ focuses largely on pregnancy health. You’ll find hundreds of resources on preventing premature birth, and there are links to dozens of advocacy efforts. Medication Support What can and can’t you take while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding? There is medication support in the form of websites, in-person meetings, and apps. Your primary care physician or pediatrician are excellent resources, but you can also use: ● LactMed​ is a lactation and drug database and app by the National Institute of Health. ● MotherToBaby​ is a nonprofit that can help you with any medication questions. It has a host of fact sheets available you can read on your own, or you can call, email, text, or live chat a specialist. This is all completely free. ● Motherisk​ has hundreds of helpful categories that outlines things you should and shouldn’t take, including medications, alcohol, foods, supplements, and more. ● Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration​ is available if you’re struggling with opioid use. You’ll be able to find a support group, treatment center, community resources, and more. Mental Health Support Postpartum depression is normal once you have your baby. But how do you decide what is and what isn’t normal? When do you ask for help and who do you ask? Fortunately, postpartum and mental health support groups are available both in-person and online. ● Postpartum Support Network​ has a huge resource list available, and they help with questions about mental health. You can call- for their helpline, or they have a directory that goes state-by-state. There are also weekly meetings you can participate in. ● Smart Patients Postpartum Community​ is a group that offers an online community for mothers with anxiety, other mental health problems, and postpartum depression. You can ask questions and participate in discussions. ● Mental Health America​ has hundreds of resources available to help you find mental help. You can look for counseling centers, take screening exams to assess your mental health, join forums, and more. ● Postpartum Depression.org​ gives you a lot of general information about postpartum depression as a whole, lets you read stories about people who have been where you are, and helps you find support groups both online and locally. Pelvic Floor Health Support Although giving birth may not doom you to a life of crossing your legs when you cough, laugh, or sneeze, it’s good to have support if you do. You shouldn’t have issues after you reach the six week mark for an uncomplicated delivery, and three months for a complicated one. ● American Physical Therapy Association​ has directories that you can use to find a pelvic floor specialist in your state or city. Find one that has WCS and DPT behind their name and set up a consultation. ● Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute​ directory has providers with extensive training. You can reach out and set up consultations with any of them that look like a good match. Surrogacy Support ● Finding a surrogate parent, or if you’re a surrogate looking to connect with others, there is a Facebook group you can join called ​Surrogates and Intended Parents​. Currently, there are over 16,000 members, and it’s a very active group. ● All About Surrogacy​ is a large online forum that gives you answers to virtually any questions you can come up with about the surrogacy process. There are informative articles, and you can connect with people in your position. ● Resolve​ is a site that has a host of information about the surrogacy process. It talks about the different types of agreements, surrogacy arrangements, the different options available, and much more. No matter what stage of your pregnancy you’re in, there is a multitude of support options available to help you every step of the way. Check them out and find your tribe.