Support for Survivors
Pregnancy is a transformative time of many unknowns - unknowns that can make you feel out of control and anxious
You are not alone
As a survivor, you don’t just want to avoid a negative birth experience. You want to feel understood, in control, and free from the ghosts of the past, so that you can parent joyfully right from the start
Introducing…
Birth Support Planning for survivors
A 5-week mentorship program in which you explore what you need to feel seen, heard, and in control during childbirth.
In each live and virtual 1.5 hour session, Dr Justine Leach, perinatal trauma expert and childbirth educator can gently support and guide you.
Develop a clear plan for how you want to be supported during childbirth, explore what helps you feel safe, and deepen your connection with your birth partner, so that you can enjoy your pregnancy without worry and birth in your power
Transform anxiety into confidence, just like Sarah:
“At the beginning of my third trimester I developed an overwhelming anxiety and fear around the upcoming birth of my first child. I was having a difficult time coping day to day and began looking for resources that could support both myself and my husband leading up to the birth. I cannot be more thankful that I found the Resilient Birth website. As a person who has experienced sexual assault trauma, much of my fear and anxiety around birth stemmed from my past trauma. Over the course of several Birth Support sessions and guided by Justine’s thoughtful questioning I was able to voice my fears open and honestly with both myself and my husband. From there we were able to work on a Birth Support Plan, targeting my specific needs through different birth scenarios. I cannot overstate how much of a mental shift occurred in myself over the weeks we met with Justine. I now feel prepared and confident that myself and my husband can handle any scenario that we are faced with. The biggest gift is that I have been truly able to relax and enjoy that last few weeks of my pregnancy without anxiety or fear of what is ahead. I cannot recommend Justine enough!”
I’m Dr Justine Leach, BACE certified childbirth educator
I’m the mother to two gorgeous boys, a survivor, and co-founder of Resilient Birth
After experiencing my own birth trauma with my first and a healing birth with my second, I left academia to support trauma survivors on their journey to parenthood
My research interests on consent, sexual violence, and trauma as well as my own experience of what it is like to give birth as a survivor informs my approach
I know how hard it is to be triggered during pregnancy and childbirth, but I also know it is possible to have a birth free from the ghosts of the past - a healing birth
I know because I have experienced it
Imagine waking up every day feeling confident you can face any birth scenario
Imagine feeling so supported you can focus on the joy of meeting your baby
Hey, you are probably thinking…
“this is a huge investment at a time when I’m already spending to get ready for baby”
I get it! It is an investment of your money. But I want you to think about the value of feeling understood right now - of having your unique needs respected during your birth. By taking care of yourself and increasing your chances of a positive birth experience, you are setting yourself up for parenting success, which is so much more important than what stroller you buy!
“But I don’t have the time?”
Life can be so busy, it can feel impossible to give ourselves the gift of time to reflect and honor what we need. But when we do give ourselves this gift, often we find that we have more time than we realized because we are able to enjoy life rather than spending our precious time feeling anxious about the future. Each of our 5 sessions together truly honors your journey and takes care of your emotional needs.
“But I don’t have 5 weeks left in my pregnancy - I’m almost at my due date”
If you are at the end of your pregnancy, I can work with you in a much more focused way. I can meet twice a week, or even over single weekend. Unless you are in labor right now, I believe I can make it work.
“My partner would like to join me”
Great! This program often works best when partners are able to attend our sessions together. Often there is a lot that you might need your partner to hear, as well as plenty of feelings and concerns that they are holding as well. By giving space for partners to share and listen, we can help them be the support you deserve during your birth.
“Why a mentorship Program?”
Birth Support Planning is not therapy. Our focus is on the future as work together to explore the support you need to have the birth experience you deserve. I am your companion on this journey, asking guiding questions, but letting you lead the way.
“Is a birth Support plan the same as a Birth plan?”
A generic “birth plan” or “birth preferences” will not have the same depth. Often birth plans focus on what kind of birth you want and on listing interventions you want to avoid.
In contrast, a Birth Support Plan identifies how you want others to support you, especially if an intervention you do not want becomes necessary.
A Birth Support Plan has at least three parts (more can be added if you have a birth doula for example)
It includes:
a section written for you that draws out your strengths and internal resources
a section written for your birth partner focusing on their role during the birth process and articulating clearly the kind of support you need from them
a section written specifically for your healthcare team, including your L&D nurse, OB or midwife, anesthesiologist etc. that outlines what they need to do to help you feel safe and in control during your birth
“Do I have to disclose my trauma history?”
No - you remain in control of your story and can decide how much you feel comfortable sharing with me and on your Birth Support Plan.
a sliding scale is available; just contact info@resilientbirth.com for more information about pricing