Monthly Archives: August 2010

Postpartum Progress call for Nominations for Top 10 Perinatal Writers of 2010

Katherine Stone over at Postpartum Progress is taking nominations for the Top 10 Perinatal Writers of 2010.

I’ll definitely be nominating some of the Postpartum Voices of the week for this award!

If you write about Perinatal Mood Disorders or really like something I have posted here, please nominate yourself (or me!) for the award.

Here’s the down low straight from Katherine:

Entries must have been written/published in 2010.  My criteria?  I look for beautiful writing, compelling stories, creative metaphors, honesty, authenticity, original voice and/or destigmatization.  They can be about any mental illness related to pregnancy and childbirth.  Nominations will close on November 15th.

I love publishing this list as a way of thanking people for their courage, sharing inspiration with those who suffer, and honoring those who are speaking out against stigma.  So get nominating!

I know I can’t wait to see the finalists. The list Katherine put together last year was phenomenal!

Submit ideas for tomorrow’s #PPDChat Topic before 8pm EST

I’m currently taking suggestions for tomorrow’s #PPDChat at Twitter.

So far, I’ve had three fellow Twitizens chime in:

@kfgrum: @unxpctdblessing What about: What we can do to bounce back when triggered? or How we deal with those that don’t understand.

d20Blonde: @unxpctdblessing I’m interested in talking about life *after* #ppd and #ppa

Freelancer4Hire: @unxpctdblessing Not “PPD” but I would love 2 chat about prenatal depression.PPD is becoming more understood,prenatal dep is still a mystery

All GREAT suggestions indeed. Keep them coming! We may not pick your topic for tomorrow but rest assured we’ll get to it eventually! This chat is all about you and what you want or need to get off your chest or have questions about. Use your voice and speak up!

(I need them before 8pm so I can create the snazzy graphic for tomorrow’s announcement post!)

My Postpartum Voice of the Week: @whodemis – Unplanned

It’s Monday night as I type this. I’ve just arrived home from a small gathering at which Henci Goer spoke. I’m tired. I can’t see straight. But this is important.

I am not sure how Amanda (@whodemis) found me on Twitter. Perhaps through the new friend suggestion feature, perhaps via #PPDChat or another common acquaintance. Regardless, we’re on Twitter together.

Tonight, she posted a very moving blog about her recent miscarriage.

As @KristineBrite wrote about some time ago, there does not have to be a baby in order for mom to suffer psychological distress. A mom who has lost her baby regardless of when, still hurts. And we may not know what to say to her as she struggles to make sense of her world which has just for all intense and purposes, been dumped upside much like a snow globe. All the pieces are still up in the air and she is uncertain as to where they will land.

Without further ado, I want to share her post, Unplanned, with you. Please know though that it is intense emotionally so if you’re feeling fragile and vulnerable, you may want to skip this read.

Amanda  – my heart goes out to you as you move through this. You and your family are in my prayers.