This legislation was signed into law in 2014.
Gosh, you know, I’ll be honest, I was kind of in disbelief, she shares.
She spends so much of her time helping others, that being recognized this way took some adjusting.
Photo by The Motherhood Center
Especially after the past few years, she and her colleagues are burnt out, Bellenbaum says.
To receive this recognition, it goes a long way, she says.
It allows us to feel seen, and valuable.
And that is so, so welcome.
I went through a very dark time for about nine months, she says.
Its also what inspired her to found The Motherhood Center.
They attend the program five hours a day, five days a week.
It’s life changing.
It’s life saving, and it’s life changing.
It’s heartbreaking on every level, especially in the wake of the pandemic, she shared.
Pregnant and postpartum individuals are feeling the burden of this significantly, Bellenbaum notes.
And what does she see as some possible solutions?
They’d be so much happier, they’d be enjoying their lives more.
And we would just be a more flourishing society.
It’s not your fault that this is happening.
And you are going to get better with the right treatment and support.
Shed also encourage people not to white-knuckle it.
It’s heartbreaking on every level, especially in the wake of the pandemic, she shared.
Bellenbaum also encourages parents to take apreventativeattitude about postpartum mental health.
Finally, she wants postpartum parents to know that these illnesses are treatable.
And what I would say is a well mother equals a well baby.
When you are healthy and welland that includes mental healthyour baby in return will be healthy and well.
Because I think it has a more realistic tone to it, right?
I take them for walks as much as I can.
She and her husband love to ski in Vermont.
Exercise helps a lot, too.
But perhaps her most valuable “self care” comes right from the work that she loves.
Right before our interview, Bellenbaum has been meeting with some of the parents at The Motherhood Center.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Four in 5 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
