IN THIS NEWSLETTER:​

• A Message from Allie
• Our Warm Line Manager Victoria's Story
• Father's Day
• Board Recruitment
• Partner Spotlight

A Message from Allie

This month we celebrate two important annual milestones, PRIDE Month and Father's Day. LGBTQ+ families and fathers can often be overlooked when discussing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) - and most resources primarily consider the needs of heteronormative birthing mothers. We know that the needs of our families reach far beyond that. We are working to provide culturally-matched care for fathers and LGBTQ+ families with specially trained staff to care for them. This month (and every month) we celebrate all of the stories that make up the perinatal period, starting with Victoria, our Warm Line Program Manager.

Well wishes,
Allie

Allie Lindsay Johnson, Executive Director
allie.johnson@perinatalsupport.org

Victoria's Story

I am a mother of two, a lesbian, and I experienced birth trauma and postpartum anxiety. My experiences as a lesbian, a parent, through my former wife’s pregnancy and my pregnancy and postpartum have led me to where I am today. And while many aspects of my parenting journey are similar to many, there are aspects as a lesbian parent that make it quite unique.

I birthed our second child. Our first was now 4 years old, my partner gave birth to her, and I remember being instantly bonded to her when she came into our world. That was not to be my experience with our second.  My labor did not go as planned and we found ourselves in a hospital away from our midwife, who we had carefully vetted and chosen because she was affirming of our 2 mom family in a way that society, individuals, and even our own families were not. We checked in to the hospital on Friday morning and our baby was not born until Monday (at 43 weeks!). We went through many providers and nurses, helping us at the most vulnerable time, none of them vetted, none of whom we knew where they stood in their support of us as a family.

“ we know the power of peer support, the power of telling another parent who has been there the truth of how you are feeling, disclosing the hard, hard stuff. The power and release one feels when someone says you are not alone; you are not a bad parent..”

Free Resources for LGBTQ+ Parents:

Postpartum Support International Queer and Trans Support Group - Victoria is one of the facilitators!

Family Equality - The Neighborhood: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families

LGBTQ Birth - Drop-in LGBTQ+ groups for pregnancy, new parents, and perinatal professionals

Rainbow Families - Support groups and events

June 19th is International Fathers' Mental Health Day.

Did you know that 1 in 10 fathers experience PMADs? That number jumps to 50% when their partner is also depressed. Yet, for fathers, the PMAD stigma is even more persistent, with 43% of first-time dads believing that postnatal depression and anxiety is a sign of weakness.

Having a father-inclusive approach to caring for those affected by PMADs uplifts the whole family. Please see below for a list of resources that can help dad accept the help they need.

New Dad? Talk to another dad about your mental health needs during this period as well as gather information about supporting your partner who might be experiencing their own mood or anxiety disorder. Ask to talk to a dad when you call our Warm Line at 1-888-404-7763.

Our Warm Line and other PS-WA programs are underwritten by donations from individuals like you. Please support our work today!

Perinatal Support Washington is seeking Board members!

If you are interested in joining a group of passionate people to help serve and shape our mission, we are now recruiting for 2024!

The average time commitment is 3 hours per month. Some examples of duties include:

● leverage connections and networks to secure the resources and partnerships necessary to advance our mission

● serve as active advocates and ambassadors to increase our fundraising and awareness efforts

● participate in strategic and organizational planning

● participate fully in bimonthly meetings of one committee (Finance & Fundraising, Governance, or DEIA)

If you are interested, check out our Board position overview HERE.

At Maia, we hold each parent’s experience as important, valid and unique. Maia embraces all families formed with intention and love, and we honor the commitments forged within all constellations of family. We provide resources that are a comprehensive antidote to a culture and medical system that all too often overlooks the LGBTQ+ community’s unique needs, including clinical fertility care, in-home IUI, classes and support groups throughout the childbearing year, and professional training for midwives.

Liam Kali (he/they), Licensed Midwife
Contact:  MAIA Midwifery & Fertility Services, PLLC

WARM LINE: 1-888-404-7763 (PPMD), Se habla español

Support, Education, Referral