Doula and Newborn Care Expert Shares Why Moms Are Struggling With Modern Motherhood and Postpartum Care

By: Joshua Finley

When Emily welcomed her baby girl into the world, she expected to be filled with joy and contentment. Instead, she found herself battling a deep, unrelenting sadness. Nights were filled with tears, and days were clouded by anxiety and self-doubt. Emily felt alone, overwhelmed, and ashamed to ask for help. She turned to the internet for answers, but the endless stream of conflicting advice only deepened her despair. Emily’s husband was supportive, but he, too, was lost in the maze of new parenthood. Emily’s experience is not unique; a recent study found that 1 in 7 women may experience postpartum depression within the first year after giving birth. This alarming statistic underscores the critical need for comprehensive support systems for new families. Amid this crisis, Dawn Thompson’s Birthify is emerging as a beacon of hope, transforming how families navigate postpartum challenges.

The Crisis of Modern Motherhood

Thompson believes that the struggles of modern motherhood are rooted in the loss of the traditional “village” — the support network that previous generations relied upon. “We’ve almost completely lost the village in just two generations,” she says. “Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had extensive experience with their own children and birth recovery because they had many siblings, and everyone in the family helped.”

Today, new mothers often find themselves isolated, with only their equally inexperienced partners for support. Thompson points out the shortcomings of relying on Google or social media for advice, noting that it can lead to more confusion and anxiety. “Google can be a dark rabbit hole of information. There are some great things, but a lot can be frightening, especially some of the mommy groups out there. It’s anecdotal at best.”

Dawn Thompson: A Journey of Advocacy and Empowerment

Dawn Thompson’s journey in maternal health began in 2003 as a dedicated doula. In 2012, she founded Improving Birth, sparking a national movement that addressed alarming cesarean rates. This grassroots effort became the largest advocacy campaign for humane, evidence-based maternity care in the U.S., with annual rallies in nearly every state.

Motivated by a deep commitment to empowering mothers, Thompson launched Birthify to provide essential birth and postpartum support and education. Her extensive experience and advocacy work have made her a leading voice in maternal health.

The Essential Role of Doulas

Thompson highlights the unique and invaluable role of doulas in postpartum care. “People don’t understand that doulas have literally the  experience of anyone when it comes to hands-on newborn and postpartum care,” she says. Having supported over 300 families through birth and the postpartum period, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge to Birthify’s virtual platform, which is further enhanced by the collective thousands of hours of experience from their team of dedicated doulas.

One of her viral videos on TikTok, which discusses newborn poop, underscores the need for basic yet critical information. Thompson explains that at approximately one month postpartum, a newborn’s bowel habits change due to the natural development of their reflexes. This often causes unnecessary panic among new parents, leading to unneeded visits to the ER and misguided advice from pediatricians to change diets or formulas when, in reality, it is a normal developmental stage. “It’s information like this that mothers need to know,” she shares. “It’s natural to worry about your newborn baby, but having someone in your corner who’s been through this stage many times is invaluable for a new parent.”

Birthify’s Comprehensive Support for New Mothers

The birth experience can profoundly impact a mother’s postpartum well-being, affecting her emotional and physical recovery. Birthify, a service dedicated to comprehensive support before and after childbirth, aims to ensure mothers feel prepared and supported at every step. “We prepare you before, we support you after, and we do it at a cost that makes sense,” says Dawn Thompson, emphasizing Birthify’s commitment to accessible and affordable care. Birthify offers exceptional value—just $60 a week for a virtual appointment and unlimited messaging, compared to the $45 an hour rate for in-person postpartum doulas, who typically have a 4-hour minimum per day.

Thompson explains that by signing up for services before the baby arrives, mothers are equipped with the knowledge and support they need ahead of time, avoiding the stress of learning everything on the fly. While Birthify may not be able to wash baby bottles or offer a nap while watching the baby, its comprehensive guidance and expertise are invaluable. The platform enables mothers to text questions and schedule weekly video chats, ensuring continuous support and guidance. This proactive, always-accessible approach ensures that new mothers are not only prepared but also feel empowered throughout their entire journey.

The Path Forward: Rebuilding the Village

Thompson advocates for a return to the communal support systems of the past. “The village still exists; we just have to recreate it in a modern context,” she says. While not everyone can afford in-person doula services, Birthify offers an accessible alternative that bridges the gap.

As postpartum depression and anxiety rates continue to rise, the need for supportive and informed care becomes increasingly urgent. Birthify stands as a force of change, offering mothers the tools and support they need to navigate the challenges of modern motherhood. Through her dedication and expertise, Dawn Thompson is helping to rebuild the village for one mother at a time.

To learn more about Birthify and connect with a doula, visit Birthify.net.

Published by: Martin De Juan