Everyone is always asking how the baby is, but how are you?
Now you are a mother - maybe for the first time or maybe you have been a mom for a while, but things are different from what you expected or experienced after your other children were born. Your family and friends are cheering for your happiness and joy, asking you over and over if you are happy, and telling you that nothing is as fulfilling and wonderful as motherhood. Instead of joyful, you may feel sad, nervous, unable to sleep, or even distant from your new baby. You may have feelings and thoughts that you have never had before. You may be scared about your own thoughts or maybe you don't recognize yourself at times. The 'baby blues' just do not go away like they are 'supposed to'. A lot of things are not like they are 'supposed to' be, and you may be experiencing fears, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and exhaustion unlike anything you have known in the past.
Living through an experience like this or similar to this can be confusing, disorienting, distressing, depressing, frightening, and very lonely. We understand because we have been there. You may be suffering from a perinatal or postpartum mood disorder- and there are several different types of them. If you think this description comes close to what you are experiencing, if you are reluctant or ashamed to talk to your loved ones about these feelings, or if you have concerns or questions - please contact us. We are moms who know first hand what it’s like and we’re here to help you, to listen to you, to share thoughts or experiences with you, and if needed to help you connect with others who can help.
The good news is: Perinatal Mood Disorders ARE TEMPORARY and CAN BE TREATED SUCCESSFULLY. You don't have to live like this forever. Let us help you go through this very difficult time - you don't have to do it alone.
WHO WE ARE
We are a group of women who have experience with perinatal mood disorders, as mothers ourselves who suffered through this very dark time, as counselors and medical providers, or as friends and family members whose lives have been touched by this illness. We have a very big desire in common: to help other mothers, their partners, family, and friends through this challenging time of their lives. Therefore we founded this chapter of the Arizona Postpartum Wellness Coalition that works specifically in the Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt and surrounding areas to help to achieve the goals of the statewide coalition of APWC.
Mission Statement: The Arizona Postpartum Wellness Coalition (APWC) is dedicated to improving the pregnancy and postpartum experience for Arizona families by providing support for families and professionals, increasing awareness of the serious nature of perinatal mood disorders, and improving access to available screening methods, treatment options and resources in Arizona.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Our local chapter of APWC started meeting in early 2009 to establish and organize the best help and resources possible. Ours goals are to provide information to women, families, professionals, and the community about perinatal mood disorders and to begin a Mother-to-Mother pregnancy and postpartum adjustment support group in the Quad-City area. We want to help connect moms with mood disorders, scary thoughts, and/or depression with other moms who have gone through and survived this difficult time. If you would like, we can provide contacts to experienced counselors who have been trained and know the seriousness and the variety of pre and postnatal mood disorders.
MOTHER-TO-MOTHER SUPPORT GROUP IN PRESCOTT
We are exited to offer 3 different times/locations per month.
The groups will meet the first and third Thursday as well as on the third Wednesday of the month.
We are offering three locations at different times in order to reach as much of the Prescott area as possible.
Group A - led by Edie
Location: Prescott Valley, "Pony Espresso" Coffee House in the 'Tack Room'
Time: first Thursday of the month from 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Group B - led by Gina
Location: 125 Grove Avenue, second floor (office building)
Time: second Wednesday of the month from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Directions: take Gurley St. 3 blocks down from courthouse square
take a right at the traffic light onto Grove Ave
fourth house on your right, light grey roof.
Group C - led by Edie and Joell
Location: St. Luke's church
Time: third Thursday of the month from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Directions: St. Luke's Church is located @ 2000 Shepard's Lane.
This is off of Highway 89, just north of Pioneer Parkway.
The meeting will be held in The Parish Hall building Room A.
Please feel invited to come by and meet us!
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OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS IN THE NORTHERN ARIZONA AREA
For information on the current support group in Verde Valley, please call 928-639-6157 at the
Verde Valley Medical Center
269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
The group meets Wednesdays 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Conference Rooms B and C.
For more information call 928.639.6157
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