Reproductive Psychiatry and Counseling recently hosted a truly special event—the Maternal Health Clinician Mix and Mingle. The evening was nothing short of magical, filled with lively energy, meaningful conversations, and the unmistakable sense of a community coming together for a cause close to all our hearts.
As soon as the doors opened, the room buzzed with excitement. Clinicians from across the region gathered, their shared passion for maternal health creating an atmosphere that was both inspiring and invigorating. It was a beautiful sight to witness—professionals from different backgrounds and specialties connecting, sharing stories, and building relationships that will undoubtedly strengthen our collective efforts in the future.
The energy was palpable, and it was clear that this was more than just an event; it was the beginning of something powerful—a community coming together to make a difference in maternal mental health. The importance of such connections cannot be overstated, especially in light of the recent statement by the U.S. Surgeon General, who highlighted how parents today are increasingly stressed, isolated, and struggling without the support of a community.
A Night of Purpose: Supporting Non-Profits That Make a Difference
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to raise funds for three extraordinary non-profit organizations: Nurtured TX (formerly PPHA), Black Mamas ATX, and Mama Sana Vibrant Woman. These organizations are doing vital work in our community, and we are deeply honored to support their missions.
- Black Mamas ATX is on a mission to reduce and ultimately eliminate the alarming maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women. Their programs focus on increasing awareness, providing essential training, and conducting outreach and research to ensure Black mothers in Central Texas receive the education and resources they need for healthy pregnancies and birthing experiences.
- Mama Sana Vibrant Woman is dedicated to improving pregnancy and birth outcomes for communities of color in Central Texas. They provide culturally congruent education and support through the midwifery model of care, focusing on whole-body wellness from a reproductive justice perspective. Their work is crucial in ensuring that every mother receives the care and support she deserves.
- Nurtured TX (formerly the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas) is a volunteer-driven organization committed to supporting individuals and families affected by Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs). They offer resources through their Kristi’s List Provider Directory, provide continuing education for medical professionals, and, through their Central Texas Connect to Care Program, offer therapy and psychiatry vouchers to underserved individuals in the Austin area. Their work is a lifeline for many in our community, ensuring that PMHD care is accessible to all.
The Crucial Role of Community
In today’s world, where the Surgeon General has pointed out the growing stress and isolation felt by parents, the need for community has never been more critical. Events like our Maternal Health Clinician Mix and Mingle serve as a reminder of the power of connection. They create a space where professionals can support one another, share resources, and collaborate to better serve the families in our care. It is through these connections that we can help alleviate the isolation and stress that so many parents feel, offering them the sense of community and belonging they need to thrive.
Gratitude for Our Community Sponsors and Collaborative Partners
We are deeply grateful to our community sponsors, Owl's Brew and Mindful Meals Tx, whose support and generosity helped make this event a success. Their commitment to our cause and the wellbeing of our community is truly appreciated.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our three collaborative partners: It’s More Than Milk, Sage Acupuncture, and LadyBird PT.
- It’s More Than Milk has been instrumental in providing breastfeeding support and education to mothers across Central Texas, helping them navigate the often challenging early stages of motherhood with confidence and care.
- Sage Acupuncture offers holistic, patient-centered care, specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum support. Their integrative approach to healthcare complements our mission perfectly, and we are grateful for their partnership.
- LadyBird PT focuses on women’s health physical therapy, providing essential services to mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. Their expertise in pelvic floor health and commitment to patient care is invaluable to our community.
Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Community Together
The Maternal Health Clinician Mix and Mingle was more than just an event; it was a testament to the power of community. When we come together, driven by a shared purpose and passion, we can create real, lasting change. The connections made, the conversations had, and the funds raised are just the beginning. Together, we will continue to support each other, our patients, and the vital work being done by our non-profit partners. We are excited to announce we raised a total of $812 during the event which will be divided evenly among our non-profit partners. The donation link will remain open for another week--I encourage you to continue our work by offering a donation if you're able.
In an era where parents are often left feeling alone and overwhelmed, events like these remind us of the strength and support that can be found in a united community. We look forward to the future, knowing that we are stronger together and that the bonds we have formed will help us make a meaningful impact on maternal health in Central Texas.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making this event a success. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment are what make our community so special. Here’s to the power of community and the incredible things we can achieve together!
When Mother's Day HurtsWhen Mother’s Day Hurts“There is, I am convinced, no picture that conveys in all itsdreadfulness, a vision of sorrow, despairing, remediless, supreme.If I could paint such a picture, the canvas would show onlya woman looking down at her empty arms.”-Charlotte BronteAs Mother’s Day approaches, I’ve been speaking with several of my clients who’ve struggled to become mothers and/or have lost a child in utero about what this day means to them and how they feel. I’d like to share some of the themes that have emerged through our discussions. Unfair. For many women, the veneration of mothers on this day is deeply painful. Feelings of anger, irritation, envy, and confusion arise. Why me? Why haven’t I become a mother after so much effort? Why did I lose this much sought-after pregnancy? The women I see in my practice have typically spent months, sometimes years, trying to birth a healthy baby. They may have sacrificed tremendous time, energy, and spent the reserves of their emotional and financial resources to try to conceive. They may have given birth and held a dead baby in their arms. The legacy of their losses becomes their new reality, and they must learn to navigate the world with the constant presence of someone’s absence. This, my friends, is unfair. Isolation. Infertility and/or pregnancy loss is often a silent struggle. Research reports that women who are struggling to become mothers experience increased feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, shame, guilt, and loss of control. Depression levels in people with infertility have even been compared with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, and couples tend to report that infertility or pregnancy loss have been the “most difficult” events in their lives thus far. This silent sorority of women is estimated to affect 1 in 8 couples (or 12% of married) who struggle to get pregnant or sustain a pregnancy (Rooney & Domar, 2018). That’s roughly the size California, folks! And yet, we don’t talk about it enough, and that’s especially true for men. Sadly, when these discussions do come up, well intended yet uninformed family, friends, or coworkers can say thoughtless, hurtful comments. This can further the cycle of silence. Grief/Loss. If you wonder what that constant tension is in your body, that heavy feeling that sits on your chest – it’s grief. Feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, fear – all different colors of grief expressed. Loss is ever present in the stories of those struggling to create their families, and it doesn’t just disappear when a baby arrives. For some of my clients, the losses can be layered, so let’s take a look at some of them:What’s been lost?Loss of the experience of pregnancy and birth – you feel you are missing out on one of the most miraculous events of lifeLoss of sense of belonging – you don’t quite fit amongst your friends, family, or society at largeLoss of being in control – of your body – of your life. This wasn’t how it was supposed to beLoss of feeling healthy and normal – your identity shifts from “healthy person” to “infertility patient”Loss of feeling competent – you feel you can no longer achieve what you set out to doLoss of sexual intimacy, identity, and privacy – what had been the most private and intimate acts is now publicThe Eagles band has a song titled “Hole in the World” and I think it certainly applies here - -There's a hole in the world tonightThere's a cloud of fear and sorrowThere's a hole in the world tonightDon't let there be a hole in the world tomorrowIdentity Disruption. Talking with a client who had experienced three recurrent pregnancy losses in the recent past, she noted how her relationship to mother’s day had not transitioned the way she expected, from honoring your mother figure to honoring yourself as a mother. She further described feeling excluded from parenthood and being relegated to still sit at the “kid’s table.” For so many women, they had constructed (whether conscious or unconscious) a reproductive narrative, a story of the family they would have one day and the role they would play in that family. And this story can be largely influenced by the dominant cultural narrative regarding becoming an adult – separating from your parents, establishing your own residence, taking responsibility for your life, and creating your own family. Being denied these important rites of passage and roles can be experienced as an existential crisis. Who am I? Where do I belong?Heroism. The people that I’ve had the privilege to work with during their parenting journey are nothing short of courageous as they attempt to create life against the odds. Some of those people came home with a baby, while others made the heartbreaking decision to be childless due to financial constraints and/or unwillingness to undergo fertility treatments. Some of them only have pictures of the child that never breathed air. As Dr. Ilona Laszlo Higgins expressed in her book “Creating Life Against the Odds,”The struggle of these individuals to create and nurture children goes well beyond the desire to produce a new generation in one’s own image, or to have a living repository for one’s inheritance. It is about the sense of completion that comes from the conscious commitment to be responsible for the well being of another. It is the wisdom that comes from the ashes of loss, translated into new life. (Intended) parents such as these set an example for all of us about the hard work of love. I couldn’t agree more. Society often pathologizes and judges the lengths these folks go to in order to become parents. I’ve had several clients exclaim, “I would never do that,” and then when faced with no other alternative, start down the path they said they would never go. To me, these individuals aren’t crazy, they’re heroes. They are willing to recreate their story and consider what could be versus what should have been. They grieve their losses and nurture their wounds, then carry on. On this day, it is my hope you can do the following for yourself:Practice being with grief, in whatever form it takes, unconditionally and nonjudgmentally. Be with your deeply wounded self.Acknowledge that there’s a missing piece to your life puzzle. A hole in your world.Take good care of yourself. Far from being selfish, self-care in grief is courageous.Forgive yourself. You did nothing wrong. Create a ritual to acknowledge what or who is missing. Write a letter, bury an object, say a prayer, light a candle, carry flowers, whatever honors the void. Ritual acts, whether private or public, are ways in which we give way to the feelings of love, pain, and connection. References/Recommended further readings:Cacciatore, J. (2017). Bearing the unbearable: love, loss, and the heartbreaking path of grief. Wisdom Publications, Somerville, MA. Fast Facts About Infertility. Available at: http://www.resolve.org/about/fast-facts-about-fertility.html. Resolve: The National Fertility Association. Higgins, I. L. (2006). Creating life against the odds: the journey from infertility to parenthood. Xlibris Corporation. Jaffe, J., Diamond, M., & Diamond, D. (2005). Unsung lullabies: understanding and coping with infertility. St. Martin’s Press, New York, NY. Rooney, K. & Domar, A. (2018). Dialogues Clin Neurosci. Mar; 20(1): 41–47.
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