Cessation of Gatherings: Abolishment of Meetups for First-Time Moms
Revamped Article:
New Moms Find Solace in Support Groups Like "Les Mères-Veilleuses"
Struggling to adjust to motherhood, like Catherine Drolet did eight years ago, can feel overwhelming. "I couldn't shake this feeling of unease, like I was falling short as a mom," she admits. But a chance encounter with a poster advertising support group meetings at her perinatal center turned things around.
The poster announced gatherings for Les Mères-Veilleuses, a network of new mom support groups run by Sandra Juarez at Le Berceau in Beloeil. "I thought, why not give it a shot? Perhaps this could help," Catherine recalls.
Fast forward to today, Catherine isn't the only one who's grateful she took that leap. She still echoes the rich benefits she found in those support groups: a community where she didn't feel broken, a safe space to share her struggles, and the validation that, yes, she could live through this difficult time.
Until recently, resources like Les Mères-Veilleuses were scarcely available for new mothers grappling with psychological distress. The Quebec Perinatal Resource Center Network (RCRPQ) is aiming to change that by training sixty intervener coordinators to lead these groups throughout the province.
"The idea is that these perinatal centers can offer these support groups to mothers statewide," Marie-Claude Dufour, the network's general director, explains. Professional perinatal mental health educators developed the training course.
Meeting Matrescence and More
Topics that get discussed in these support groups vary widely, Sandra Juarez explains. From navigating the maze of matrescence (a phase where new mothers adapt to their roles) to addressing self-esteem, anxiety, depression, even post-traumatic birth feelings - it's all on the table.
Sandra contributed to the training's development and has been running groups for thirteen years. An interesting point she highlights: couples' issues, ranging from load sharing to communication, often come up in discussions.
"Each group is unique," Karine Hebert Landry, Le Berceau's director, stresses. "We have everything, from mothers who experience anxiety and can't imagine parting with their babies to mothers who don't feel connected to their baby at all. It's an impressive mix, but it all comes together."
Seek Help Early
Many new mothers hesitate to seek help, acknowledges Sandra. Some believe that their emotional struggles are just temporary and dismiss them as the "baby blues." Her advice is simple: don't wait, and reach out as soon as you spot even slight emotional discomfort.
"From the moment there are small instances where we say something doesn't feel right, that it's difficult," Sandra summarizes. pregnant women are encouraged to join these support groups too.
Expanding Horizons
Last June, a new resource became available to help new parents through the perinatal period: Toi, Moi, Bébé, a free digital self-care tool endorsed by the Quebec government. The platform offers ten modules with information on a range of topics, like communication within a couple and emotional journaling.
Over 40,000 users have signed up in the last six months, making the platform—available in both French and English—an increasingly popular way to nurture mental health during the transition to parenthood.
- Embracing the digital age, new mothers can now find additional support in their mental health journey through Toi, Moi, Bébé, a free self-care tool designed to help parents during the perinatal period.
- Recognizing the significance of mental health in health-and-wellness, this innovative platform, endorsed by the Quebec government, offers resources that delve into various topics, like communication within a couple and emotional journaling, contributing to a well-rounded approach to parenting.
