Prioritizing Prenatal and Postpartum Wellness

Proper prenatal and postpartum care supporting both mom and baby are so important for the well being of a young family. Prenatal care can help an expecting mother develop a birth plan for her child’s delivery which will help the birth partner, spouse or friend help advocate for mom’s wants and needs during labor. Each mom and baby are unique and deserve the special attention the mom desires. Prenatal care helps educate a mother for her labor and delivery as well as her postpartum journey.

A few tips for Before, During and After Pregnancy

Before Pregnancy: Optimize your diet with whole foods, walk to achieve healthy resting heart rate and keep your body ready for the marathon that is labor. A goal of 10k steps is great! The fitter you are during your pregnancy the smoother your labor will be.

During Pregnancy: As soon as a you find out your pregnant schedule prenatal visits and if you aren’t jiving with your OBGYN now is the time to find a labor and delivery doctor that fits your needs. Find a community for expecting or new moms to join. This group of women who are in the exact stage of motherhood you’re in will be so helpful to your journey through your motherhood experience. Moving through pregnancy will make all the difference. Continue eating whole foods and staying active while waiting for you’re little ones arrival.

Recovery After Labor: Whole foods will get you through your recovery along with perinatal ice packs. Nipple shields will help protect your sensitive skin through breatfeeding as your uterus shrinks back into its shape over the first several months. Take an easy during your recovery whether you had a C-Section or natural birth. Both types of deliveries require rest, nurturing and bonding time with baby for mom to properly heal at her own pace. Join a local new moms group to find moms friends in the same stage of motherhood you are experiencing. You’ll find having mom friends with the exact same child will help you navigate so many questions you will have as your baby develops. It is so reassuring to know you are not alone in early motherhood and that other moms have the same questions as you. Don’t forget about you. It’s ok to wait to care for your baby but you also need to care for your body, mind and soul. Implementing yoga/pilates, meditation, massage and exercise are all great self-care activities to keep your cup full as a new mom. Moving your body during pregnancy and postpartum will make all the difference for your body and your mind. The real goal here is to be the healthiest mom you can be because in return it will benefit the whole family.

Wellness is wealth!

Chicago Businesses Every New Mom Should Know About

Top 3 Businesses Every New Mom in Chicago Should Know About! This is definitely a difficult choice to only choose 3 but these 3 came fast as they’re dear to me to some good reasons.

-New Mom Meetups by Mothership Launchpad provides a space for new moms to come as they are & meet other new moms in the same stage of motherhood. Mothership Launchpad also hosts family events throughout Lakeview & Lincoln Park in Chicago for the entire family. As a young mother who struggled with postpartum depression it was so difficult for me to get out the door with my baby. I strive to help other new moms get out of the house and have a judgement free place to go with their baby (and possible enjoy a HOT coffee). @mothershiplaunchpad on Instagram

-HelloBaby is the nation's first (and only) free standing, free of charge drop in play space for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. Fabulous resource for the families of Chicago! HelloBaby website for more information on family programming.

-The Second Child is a second hand store on Armitage Avenue contributing to the conservation of the plant while saving families money. We bought our crib used from The Second Child for our baby’s arrival in 2016 and it still has a place in our home as a cherished family heirloom. Customers will find children’s gently used clothing, shoes, furniture and toys in the heart of Lincoln Park. Shop online and in store!

-Michelle, Mothership Launchpad

@mothershiplaunchpad

Back to the Basics

Closing out the holiday season Mothership is so grateful for our loyal customers that have sent words of encouragement, attended outdoor classes all summer/fall & helped us move out of our storefront. 2020 was a year of stretching & evolving as a business, going with the flow learning to pivot with every new restriction & regulation put into place all while inevitably having to close our storefront because we could no longer run the same business we originally opened.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Mothership has accomplished a lot of good helping moms all across Chicago to be better moms.

-Created a welcoming space for mom, dads & caretakers to enjoy time with their little one & meet friends.

-Hosted events supporting the local arts community

-Supplied new moms with furniture & supplies for new babies.

-Furnished an apartment for a family of 3 effected by a fire in September.

Mothership Launchpad was opened to bring moms belly to belly, introduce them to each other and create bonds between moms experiencing the same stage of motherhood. Our mission is simple and we are going back to the basics. Mothership is hosting more mobile New Mom Meetups to help benefit Chicago moms in 2024 to make creating long lasting impact in the lives of new mothers in Chicago communities.