Tucson has enjoyed phenomenal growth in the availability of birth support services in the past two decades. In the world of birth, the first few months postpartum are often referred to as the fourth trimester. It is a time of adjustments, as the baby adapts to life outside the womb and parents face the challenge of meeting the needs of a newborn, while still needing to carve other time for their own self-care. Relax in knowing there is skilled assistance for every need.

While a joy-filled pregnancy and blissful new parenting are the things everyone hopes for, many women face some sort of mood disorder during pregnancy or postpartum. A majority of new moms face the short-lived baby blues, and 20 percent of women experience more serious depression or anxiety. There is no shame in finding oneself in need of the help that abounds in the community.

Yes, breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean we are born knowing how to do it. If difficulties arise with breastfeeding, seek help early from one or more of the many specialists in this field. Better yet, consider looking into support services before the baby arrives by attending a breastfeeding class, sitting in on a La Leche League Meeting or a breastfeeding support group. Seeing other new moms in the act of feeding in itself is educational. Listening in on common questions, concerns and solutions to problems while pregnant (and hopefully well rested) can be invaluable. International board-certified Lactation Consultants can help with basic breastfeeding difficulties, education, guidance on returning to work and continuing breastfeeding, and are also able to help moms relactate, wean, mix formula feeding with breastfeeding and more.

Changes in posture and the center of gravity, the hard work of childbirth and new parenting can all conspire to create sore muscles. Massage can ease these common discomforts and help bring one back to optimal condition physically, while providing relaxation. Seek out a therapist who specializes in prenatal and postpartum massage. A licensed massage therapist might even be able to teach the basics of simple infant massage once the baby arrives. If pelvic floor dysfunction is part of recuperation from birth, Tucson also has excellent professionals for this.

Especially for those becoming a parent for the first time, deciding where to start information gathering can seem daunting. As part of this process, consider attending Tucson’s Meet the Birthworkers quarterly informational Q&A meetings. The events are free, and some of Tucson’s most knowledgeable and talented birth workers are on hand to answer all questions. Attendees often comment that they “didn’t know that they didn’t know” a particular tidbit of info until another person in the group posed a question. This format of interacting in group setting leads to greater engagement and learning—and it’s more fun.

For more information and to register for the next event (TBA in July), visit El Rio Birth and Women’s Health Center on Facebook or email [email protected].

Loree Scheyli is a licensed and board-certified massage therapist, certified newborn massage instructor, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Instructor, certified lactation educator, former certified birth doula and former certified postpartum doula. She has 20 years of experience working with new parents.

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Tucson Childbirth  Resources

Arizona Department of Health Services 24/7 Breastfeeding Hotline
• 1-800-833-4642

Arizona WIC
• 1-800-252-5942, azwic.gov
Breastfeeding support, breast pump program, breastfeeding classes, peer counseling.

Arizona Warmline
• 1-888-434-MOMS, TucsonPostPartum.com/services
For information about depression, anxiety or other mood disorders, leave a message and a volunteer will return your call between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Cerebral Palsy Group
• CerebralPalsyGroup.com/Cerebral-Palsy/Birth-Injury/
Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries. Our team was created so we can provide answers and all types of assistance needed to help improve the quality of life for loved ones and family members with cerebral palsy.

Child Care Resource & Referral
• 1-800-308-9000 or 520-325-5778
Free program in Arizona that helps families find high-quality childcare to fit your family’s needs.

Healthy Families
• 520-321-3754
Pima County in-home support for pregnancy through 3 months old.

Birth to Five Helpline 
• 1-877-705-5437
Early childhood specialists provide information on topics including sleeping, safety, fussiness/colic and feeding.

Pregnancy Riskline
• 520-626-3410 and 1-888-285-3410
Information on over-the-counter medicines, drugs and alcohol. Available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Breastfeeding Support Groups
• St. Joseph’s Hospital: 520-873-1609
• La Leche League Tucson: 520-789-MILK, lllofaz.org/tucsonarea.htm
• Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services: 520-877-4145

Private Practice Lactation Consultants
• Mama’s Latte: 520-477-7752, MamasLatte.com
• Milk & Honey: MilkAndHoneyTucson.com
• Mindful Lactation: RSVPConsult.com
• Nested-Postpartum Doula and Lactation Support: 520-628-4202, NestedDoula.com
• Aveta Lactation: 520-477-7752

Hospital-Based Breastfeeding Support
• Tucson Medical Center: 520-324-5730, tmcaz.com/breastfeeding-support-services
• Banner University Medical Center: 520-324-2180,
• Northwest Medical Center: 520-877-4145, tinyurl.com/j9f7zsd

New Family Support Groups
• Birth & Women’s Health Center: 520-795-9912
• Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services: 520-888-2881

Pregnancy/Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Support Groups
• Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital: 520-873-6858
• Northwest Medical Center: 520-877-4149
• Serafina Women’s Center: 520-202-1716
• Tucson Medical Center: 520-324-7576, tmcaz.com/pregnancy--postpartum-depression-support-group
• Tucson Postpartum Depression Coalition: TucsonPostpartum.com

Midwives
• Midwife.org/find-a-midwife
• AZAssocMidwives.com/midwives

For Dads
• PostpartumDads.org
• DadsAdventure.com

Doulas
• TucsonDoulas.com
• TucsonBump2Baby.com
• HeartSoundsBaby.org/home.html
• Doula finder: DoulaMatch.net

Massage
• Loree Scheyli, Board-Certified LMT: 520-742-7108, [email protected]

Physical Therapists for the Childbearing Year
• Tony Bunner, PT, and Melissa Buss, PT, BodyCentralPT.net

Yoga
• YogaWithBonnie.com

Childbirth Education Classes
• GivingBirthWithConfidence.org
• MindfulBirthTucson.com
• WisdomWithinBirth.com