Dear *|FNAME|*,
As you are reading this, I am likely moving chairs and printing worksheets, setting up for the Intro to Doula Workshop that I am co-facilitating today. There is a specific kind of electricity in the air when women gather to fuel the spark of maternal care and birth work. It is thrilling, and I am so grateful to be in this space today.
Throughout this month, we have navigated the metaphors of fire and ice. We’ve discussed ways to safely clear out the “burn piles” of old emotions, how to reset our internal circuits when we feel short-circuited, and how to identify the “parts” of us that need a little extra tending.
But there is a final piece to this fire that we cannot ignore: Isolation is the quickest way to let a flame die.
** Belonging
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Healing isn’t always a pretty journey. The purifying fires of growth can leave charred and scarred remains. When we face the frozen wasteland of early motherhood or mental health struggles alone, the task feels daunting—sometimes impossible.
A single branch pulled from the ice cannot sustain a fire on its own; once the heat consumes the immediate fuel, the flame falters in the cold. To truly burn through the frost, the fire requires the heat of the pile. It needs support, friction, and companionship to stay bright.
Humans are social creatures. We are biologically programmed to need the warmth of a tribe. While taking the first step to reach out can be the most difficult thing you do, joining a village becomes a lifeline.
But more than just support, what we are truly seeking is belonging. Belonging means you don’t have to fix your hair, your house, or your mood before you show up. It is the quiet relief of realized truth: you are not the only one. It is the understanding that your messy, tired, blockhead days don’t disqualify you from the circle—they are exactly why the circle exists. Today, I want to share two community hearths where you don’t just find resources; you find a place where you truly belong.
** WOMB Initiative
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** Littleton, NH
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Born out of the isolation of the global pandemic, the Women of the Mountains Birth Initiative (WOMB) (http://www.wombinitiative.org) began with a discovery. Expecting mothers found a unique form of care with home birth midwife Natanya Champney (https://www.instagram.com/natanyamidwife/) , based in Littleton, NH at the time (she has since moved to Texas and we miss her here).
Her hour-long prenatal visits—filled with education, love, and attention—provided a nourishment they didn’t want to lose after the birth was over. They knew this support was too vital to keep to themselves; they wanted to share it with others.
WOMB’s mission is to empower women through every stage of motherhood. They offer a community through connection and education:
* Monthly Gatherings: From birth story circles and Mom’s nights out to education on pelvic floor health and nutrition.
* The Nursing Nook: A private, comfortable space for feeding and changing babies at local events.
* Virtual & In-Person Connection: Breastfeeding support, reading clubs, and summer nature walks.
** Village of Mothers
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** St. Johnsbury, VT
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Across the river in the Northeast Kingdom, Village of Mothers was founded by two moms, Natalie and Becca, to foster connection and dismantle the loneliness of the postpartum period.
They provide the kind of support that mothers actually need to feel human again. Their monthly in-person gatherings offer:
* Childcare and guest speakers so you can actually focus.
* A hot meal that you didn’t have to cook and don’t have to clean up.
* Education and Parenting support to empower you in your journey.
Connect with Village of Mothers: https://www.facebook.com/p/Village-of-Mothers-61558505153083/
Join their Newsletter here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR8Ug-ENWd9FAFWp7nffTk291YiZ9TXdQ8U_0NncZIaUZjyw/viewform) .
** Reminder
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If you are looking for a place to stand by the fire with me in person, mark your calendars for the Vermont Pregnancy & Baby Expo on April 11th in Rutland, VT. I’ll be there as a sponsoring vendor and presenter, and I would love to meet you at my table!
** Free Discovery Call
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Healing shouldn’t be another item on your to-do list that causes overwhelm. If you feel like you are struggling to find your place in the “fire and ice” of motherhood, or if the mental load is starting to feel like a weight you can no longer carry alone, let’s start with a simple, quiet connection.
I offer a 15-minute Discovery Call —a completely free, no-pressure space dedicated entirely to you. It is a moment for us to pause together and see if our hearts are a good match for your healing journey.
What to expect in our 15 minutes:
* Your Story: I want to hear what you need most right now. Whether it’s about your family life, your daily work, or the message your body is sending you, I am here to listen.
* Connection: I’ll share how the Body Code and my professional expertise can specifically support your unique situation.
* Moving Forward: If it feels like a “yes” in your heart, we’ll talk about the next steps to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
You don’t have to figure out the whole path at once. Today is for taking the first step.
** Sneak Peek: April and the Energy of Spring
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Next month, our theme shifts with the season. We will be working with the new life of Spring to nourish our bodies through food and movement.
But we aren’t talking about harsh, demanding diets or “shred” programs. We are going to explore a gentle, non-demanding way of movement that is uplifting and rewarding—a way to support the physical demands pregnancy and postpartum have placed on your body by giving back to yourself.
Until then, find your hearth and stay warm.