17: Postpartum and the Power of Supporting Mothers with Kestrel Gates

Today’s show brings inspiration and insight around parenthood and the postpartum. In the most crucial time in a family’s formation, the most basic needs of new parents are often overlooked and undervalued. Let’s dive deep into how we can help as individuals, a community, and society in general. Kestrel Gates is the author of the Build Your Nest Postpartum Planning Workbook, which guides parents in planning for rest, support, and care after their babies are born. This workbook has been translated into six languages already, with more translations in process. Kestrel serves her local community in Astoria, Oregon, as a maternal healthcare advocate supporting parents and professionals. She lives on the beautiful Oregon coast with her husband and two children. Show Highlights:Insights into Kestrel’s life as a creative, homesteading country girlHow Kestrel became involved in postpartum health through her experiences with a close friendPrimary considerations in a postpartum plan: (learned by Kestrel through her Vietnamese mother-in-law)Rest--Slow down and take a rest from all other responsibilities.Support--New parents need support from family, friends, and paid helpers.Care--Traditional practices and healthcare support are essential for new parents.Why all the challenges don’t completely resolve themselves by the traditionally accepted six-week or 40-day postpartum periodHow Kestrel wishes the world could be different for parents in the postpartum, with more parental leave, more doctor visits, more midwifery, and more robust healthcare for familiesHow being in business has been transformative for Kestrel’s self-growthWhat you’ll find on Kestrel’s website and how it helps people with information, ideas, resources, and reflectionHow Kestrel is developing a certification for the new maternal health role of “postpartum navigator,” one who helps parents plan and offers supportHow community building plays into connection and support for familiesHow people can support a family in the postpartum from near and far awayThe new term, “kin work,” and how it plays into life’s purposeThe importance of self-work in caring for othersHow working toward social justice can be part of all the work we do in the worldHow the pieces of Kestrel’s astrology chart play out in the work she doesThe importance of parenting in the crucial purpose work that serves societyA glimpse into Kestrel’s creative works and her role as a homeschooling motherHear Kestrel’s answers to rapid-fire questions about helpful advice, grounding habits, her favorite hot beverage, her last meal on earth, her morning routine, an inspiring person, and what brings her joyResources:Weave Your Bliss WebsiteWeave Your Bliss on InstagramWeave Your Bliss on FacebookWeave Your Bliss PatreonLinks for this episode with Kestralwww.buildyournestworkbook.com@buildyournesthttps://mailchi.mp/eac9415d4e1c/byn-book-club