Living in San Diego, I feel so grateful to be a part of such an incredible birth and postpartum community. We have an abundance of gifted birth and postpartum providers and I get the honor of working alongside them when I support families in the postpartum space every week. I wanted to carve out a space on my blog to feature some of my colleagues so that you can get to know them and hear more about their support offerings. Each month, I’ll invite different providers to share more about their offerings, expert tips and wisdom.

When I am working with a family for lactation support, I may make referrals to pediatric chiropractors to address infant tension to help with latching pain or discomfort, occupational therapists to help a baby learn build skills after an oral tie release. I also provide referrals for mothers who need support and care for themselves as they adjust to this season of new motherhood, and that’s where Jenna comes in! I know Jenna personally and professionally and she is truly a GEM and such a gift. She has some truly incredible postpartum offerings for mamas so I wanted to share more about them here with you!

Tell us a little bit about what drew you to working with mothers and providing postpartum care? 

As long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated with all aspects of women’s wellness and that curiosity fueled my journey to become a nurse specializing in maternal child health. I have spent the last decade as a RN working with postpartum women, and the last 7 years as an IBCLC supporting thousands of families in feeding their babies. 

Following the birth of my first child I struggled with breastfeeding issues and postpartum anxiety. Despite being a postpartum nurse and lactation consultant I didn’t understand the rest and care I deserved and didn’t know how to ask for the support I needed. This challenging postpartum experience fueled a passion to become a supportive and caring force for the whole woman in the beautiful and complex journey of becoming a mother.

This led me to expand my understanding of maternal mental health and to pursue my certification as an Innate Postpartum Care Practitioner. My private practice Upheld Postpartum was birthed with the goal of holding space for women to feel deeply seen, nourished and embodied as they navigate the threshold of motherhood.

What does a postpartum care session entail and who is it a good fit for? 

As the mother focuses on the newborns' needs, my care model focuses on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of the birthing parent. We draw from the traditions of postpartum care which are cross-cultural and have existed as a response to the physiologic changes that occur in our bodies after birth. Each session is unique and is customized to whatever feels most nourishing and essential to the mother. Postpartum care is standard practice in most cultures and it’s a right that all mothers deserve. Ideally mothers are supported regularly during the first 40 days but women in any stage of motherhood can benefit from receiving the postpartum tending they never had. 

What do you wish families knew about postpartum and how to prepare for it? 

In our western culture a lot of value is placed on conception and pregnancy, and while fortunately families are taking time and resources to prepare for their baby’s birth, little preparation is given to the birth of the mother. I wish families knew that postpartum is one of the most important and sacred times in a women’s life. Dedicating time to learn about and prepare for the fourth trimester before you give birth can transform your ability to not just survive the postpartum time but to thrive in it. 

What happens at a first appointment with you? 

Our first postpartum care session will be customized based on your birth experience and where you are at in your postpartum healing. We discuss your healing goals from a holistic lens, addressing each area of your, your baby’s and your families needs and creating a care plan to support you. Each session includes one or more treatments to support healing, bodywork, and customized lactation/feeding support in addition to mother’s care.

Do you work only with postpartum families? 

I also work with pregnant families to provide education and resources on breastfeeding, infant care and to help them create their postpartum plan. Additionally I work with families after a loss who need unique care to support the physiologic changes they have gone through.

I also work with mothers who are past their immediate postpartum stage but desire ongoing coaching support as they navigate the various seasons of motherhood.

Where are you located & how can women work with you?

For in-home lactation support and postpartum care sessions I serve the greater San Diego area.

I serve families worldwide via virtual sessions for postpartum planning, lactation consulting and postpartum coaching.

Jennas Website: https://www.upheldpostpartum.com/