Christine Bennetts, LCSW Maternal Mental Health

09/02/2023

Couldn't have said it better...thank you Karen Kleiman!

04/25/2023

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week here's my latest blog post about getting through the 2ww:

The 2 weeks that you must wait from after either your embryo transfer or IUI until you find out you are pregnant, also known as the 2ww, are nothing less than torture. The entire time you are consumed with analyzing every single little twinge, flicker, feeling and sensation in your body. You spend h

03/18/2023

What amazing care for these premature infants and their families. Hoping this can happen for NICU families in the US someday.

Milia föddes två månader för tidigt, men har varken lagts i kuvös eller skiljts från sina föräldrar. Istället har Milia fått ligga hud mot hud med både mamma och pappa sedan födelseögonblicket. Det tack vare ett nytt arbetssätt som används på sjukhusen i Gävle och Hudiksvall.

– Personalen är helt otroliga. Förlossningen var tidig och oväntad, men ändå lugn och trygg, säger Milias mamma Sophia Pihlajainen.

Ett nyfött barn behöver uppleva närhet och få värme, även om det fötts för tidigt eller är sjukt. Det nya arbetssättet innebär att det nyfödda barnet läggs direkt efter födseln på mammans bröst där det får stanna, där får barnet också den vård de behöver. Hud- mot hudmetoden började som ett projekt men är nu ett etablerat arbetssätt inom BB, förlossningen och kvinnosjukvården i Region Gävleborg. Vinsten är friskare barn och mammor och trygga familjer.

– Anknytningen mellan barnet och mamman påverkas positivt. Det leder till kortare vårdtider och hela familjen känner sig trygg och nöjd, säger barnsköterskan Stina Lundin på neonatalavdelningen i Gävle.

– Det vi kan se är att vi har färre inlagda barn med låg kroppstemperatur och kuvöserna används nu alltmer sällan, säger Jennika Pettersson som varit projektledare.

Läs mer om projektet och bakgrunden till det: https://www.regiongavleborg.se/nyheter/noll-separation-ger-friskare-barn-och-trygga-familjer/

01/26/2023

This Sunday-Please register early
Online Subsequent Pregnancy Support Meeting
Date: Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 2023
Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM
🦋
Our Subsequent Pregnancy meetings are offered for families who are currently pregnant or considering getting pregnant again following their loss. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents on a similar journey, we invite you to join us.
🦋
To Register:
Email hello@sharingparents.org to receive a link via Zoom or click the link below.
Please register in advance as we cannot guarantee we will be able to respond in a timely manner the day of the meeting.
http://sharingparents.org/subsequent-pregnancy/

09/10/2022

A wonderful annual tradition from Sharing Parents. See below for all the details. Thank you Sharing Parents for continuing to find ways to support and hold space for parents who have had a pregnancy or early infant loss 💜💜

Sharing Parents would like to invite you to this year's October Memorial at the Capitol Rose Garden on Sunday, October 9 at 3:30 p.m.

This year's program is set to include parent speakers, music, candle lighting, a ceremonial dove release courtesy of Wings of Love, and more. There will also be a memorial area for you to bring flowers, pictures, and mementos of your baby(ies) to share and display. We invite you, your family, and friends to join us as we honor the lives of the babies that we hold in our hearts.

If you'd like to order a butterfly to release in memory of your baby after the memorial, please place your order by September 30.

For more information and to order a butterfly, please visit our website. Link in comments below.

07/25/2022

Some of the many wonderful support groups offered by PSI…

05/29/2022

https://www.christinebennetts.com/blog/blog-post-whatispostpartumdepression

What is postpartum depression?

05/25/2022

I have not been able to stop thinking about the shooting in Uvalde, TX and the families who lost their children and loved ones yesterday. It doesn't feel like enough, but my heart is with all of these families💔💔.
I know from working with people who struggle with anxiety and depression having something like this happen yet again just adds another significant layer to their worries. For parents, sending your children to school today can feel overwhelming. The social worker in me wants to find something I can offer, some sort of resource or guidance. Often with anxiety there is a component to feeling a loss of control. So it can help to find ways to actively do something, even in the midst of a terrible situation. I took some comfort in this article from Parents which provides some actions you can take toward reducing gun violence, not just for parents but for anyone.
https://www.parents.com/kids/safety/school/parents-your-fears-about-school-shootings-are-real-but-there-is-so-much-more-you-can-do-to-prevent-them/?utm_campaign=parents_parentsmagazine&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=628e458d847b410001e98de8&fbclid=IwAR2SuUN4zSjxjgTpAxf_1sx7oAk7cojz8S_pOz9I3_3rvhj-ZfVXkbWpKlE&fs=e&s=cl

We can decide we're no longer willing to accept the violence. We can turn our pain into action. What you decide to do today can save a life—maybe your child's, maybe your own. Here's how to get started.

05/09/2022

For some Mother’s Day is not easy…sending wishes of peace and love today 💕

05/01/2022

Today is International Bereaved Mother’s Day. Holding space for these mothers today…you are seen, remembered and hoping you are honored for the mother you are today 💕💕

04/30/2022

🌺Coming up this Sunday.🌺

Sharing Parents offers monthly grief support meetings for parents who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy or early infancy no matter how long ago. Sharing Parents provides a safe space for parents to share their experiences and talk about their babies in an environment without fear of criticism or judgement. The monthly grief support meetings offers an opportunity to meet and connect with other parents who have also lived through the loss of their baby.
Our next monthly grief support meeting is this Sunday, May 1st, from 6-8pm via Zoom. If you would like to attend please register at hello@sharingparents.org or click the link below.
Please register in advance as we may not be able to respond in a timely manner the day of the meeting.
http://sharingparents.org/monthly-grief-support-meetings/

04/29/2022

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week. I like this post by Resolve, highlighting the fact that for most people dealing with infertility has a major impact on your mental health. Infertility is all consuming and relentless. For many it’s one of the more painful chapters in their lives. Thinking of all of you 💜💜

How has infertility impacted your mental health?

There are many emotions that can come along with an infertility diagnosis- grief, fear, sadness, disappointment, anticipation, and more. make mental health a priority because infertility impacts each person it touches. However, you don't have to walk this path alone. Learn about where you can access free support through the RESOLVE helpline, support groups, online community, resources, and more ⬇️
https://resolve.org/get-help/

04/14/2022

Some important dates ahead from Sharing Parents, a local resource devoted to supporting those who have had pregnancy or infant loss.

Here's a look of what is coming up. Please check back to our page for reminders.

04/10/2022

We have to listen, support and get help for those with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

03/16/2022

One of my favorite social workers is offering this group for Motherless Mothers. It will either be in person (in Sacramento) or virtually for anyone in CA depending on COVID conditions.

03/15/2022

March is Pregnancy After Loss Awareness Month 🌈

If you have a rainbow baby or are expecting yours, please know:
❤️ We see you.
❤️ We honor you.
❤️ You are not alone.

If you need support during this time, PSI is here for you.
❤️ Call or text HELP to 800-944-4773 to reach our HelpLine.
❤️ Join the Pregnancy After Loss Online Support Group, which meets weekly on Mondays (time varies based on the leader). Check out the schedule and register at http://bit.ly/FindSupportCoordinator

03/06/2022

Thank you to PSI for the wide variety of virtual groups available ❤️

As you’re preparing for a new week, if you need a little extra support or just to talk to other parents who understand what you’re going through, plan to attend one of our virtual support groups! Check out the schedule and then register at http://bit.ly/FindSupportGroup 💻💙

02/26/2022

REMINDER: Subsequent Pregnancy Support Meeting

Online Subsequent Pregnancy Support Meeting
Date: Sunday, February 27th
Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM
🦋
Our Subsequent Pregnancy meetings are offered for families who are currently pregnant or considering getting pregnant again following their loss. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents on a similar journey, we invite you to join us.
🦋
To Register:
Email hello@sharingparents.org to receive a link via Zoom or click the link below in the comments.

Please register in advance as we cannot guarantee we will be able to respond in a timely manner the day of the meeting.