Pro-Life, Pro-Mother
, DECEMBER 19,2019
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There’s no question that the Church is pro-life. In my parish, we have initiatives to pray at the local abortion clinic, raise money for ultrasound machines, and vote for pro-life politicians, and all this is good and important. We have a house that supports pregnant women, giving out clothing, diapers, car seats, and strollers to mothers in need. But what about the mental and physical health of the mother? Considering that at least 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression and a significantly higher number experience a range of issues such as anxiety, brain fog, and baby blues, I think it’s time that we look to taking care of mothers so they can better take care of their children.
After having four babies in six years, I was exhausted and in a lot of physical pain. I struggled with depression and resented the fact that I didn’t enjoy motherhood as much as I should have. This led me down the road to discovering the importance of vitamins, nutrients, stretching, and breathing to heal my worn-down body. By improving my physical state, I was able to turn my attention toward a postpartum spirituality that allowed me to draw closer to God and recognize the lies the devil was telling me about motherhood. I found that there is information out there, but you need to look for it and piece the material together for yourself.
As I began to solve the puzzles in my own life, a beautiful picture of motherhood emerged, but like I said, it was hard to find all the pieces. In an effort to help others struggling on their road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—I wrote the book Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes. By sharing the stories of my own postpartum experiences, and how I eventually was able to overcome the pain, anxiety, and fear that accompanied them, I hope to walk with other moms having similar experiences and share the mercy of a God who loves them even in midst of the chaos.
In March 2020, the USCCB is launching a year of “Walking With Moms in Need” to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae. It’s a great time to start giving more attention to women struggling after childbirth—and beyond. In my opinion, here are a few things the Church could do to walk with and support postpartum moms:
1) Most parishes could offer a mom’s group for young mothers and provide childcare. When my second child was born, there was no group within 30 minutes of me, so I started one. It was essential to my mental health and to my faith to meet other moms in my walk of life and get a break from my kids to pray. When we moved, there still wasn’t one within 20 minutes of me. I asked my parish about starting a family potluck after Mass and they said I could join the monthly Religious Ed one. Most parishes have baptism class and offerings for families with school-aged kids, but little for families with babies and toddlers.
2) Ask dioceses to host a monthly postpartum exercise class to show mothers how to squat properly, stand up straight, and stretch out their hips and ligaments. You can’t just jump back into planks and leg lifts after giving birth, and it seems as if the only people who currently recognize this are steeped in yoga, giving few options to intentionally Catholic mothers. It could be a great community-building event as well.
3) Hand out pamphlets on physical recovery outlining the vitamins that are important for hormone stability, how to check for diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction, the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as mentioning some Catholic organizations (counselors, doctors, and physical therapists) as resources.
4) Start a book club on The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander or Holiness for Housewives: And Other Working Women by Hubert Van Zeller to learn how to imitate Mary in everyday, ordinary chores, and help mothers avoid drowning in mom guilt that they are “doing it wrong”. Encourage mothers to embrace God’s mercy at this time of life, a time when they are barely sleeping and don’t have it together. In the mess, God is still here and He is the one who saves.
5) Organize a meal service where people in the parish bring meals to a mother after she has given birth.
6) Offer free babysitting nights so parents can go out on a date.
Being a mother in this age of isolation is hard. Social media makes us feel we are not enough, not having family nearby makes it exhausting, and a lack of authentic community leads to terrible loneliness. If the Church is as pro-life as it says it is, we could do much good by looking at ways we can support a mother after the baby is born.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
By Allison Auth
Allison Auth is a writer and blogger who lives in Denver with her husband and four children. She is the author of Baby and Beyond (Sophia Institute Press, 2019).
Read the source: https://www.crisismagazine.com/2019/pro-life-pro-mother
Here-under are some articles about family and marriage for you to read or watch:
- Getting to know you, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=284
- Be Positive, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=288
- and Marriage, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=292
- Endless Love – Marriage after all, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=294
- Say it with love, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=298
- Quality family moments, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=300
- Secret of successful marriage, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=302
- The vocation of marriage, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1968
- Marriage as Covenant, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1974
- Humility: Foundation for Marital Happiness, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1986
- Gratitude: Foundation for marriage, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1980
- True Meaning of marriage, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1972
- Marriage and incompatibility, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=2112
- Love is a garden, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=2116
- Three kinds of love, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=2095
The Silent Marriage Killer That’s More Deadly Than Sex & Money http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/10/22/the-silent-marriage-killer-thats-more-deadly-than-sex-money/
An Exorcist and Psychiatrist Share Suggestions for Marriages http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/11/28/an-exorcist-and-psychiatrist-share-suggestions-for-marriages/
Some Notes for Preachers on the Reading of Ephesians Five on Marriage in the Lectionary http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/11/03/some-notes-for-preachers-on-the-reading-of-ephesians-five-on-marriage-in-the-lectionary/
Requirements of Conjugal love: Blueprinting for a Lasting Marriage in Christ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/04/05/requirements-of-conjugal–blueprinting-for-a-lasting-marriage-in-christ/
Divorce is a deadly killer! http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/08/07/divorce-is-a-deadly-killer/
GLOBAL ORGANIZATION PETITIONS TO ‘MAKE THE FAMILY GREAT AGAIN’ – Ruth Institute: A great America depends on great families http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/09/20/global-organization-petitions-to-make-the-family-great-again-ruth-institute-a-great-america-depends-on-great-families/
Parental and Spousal Alienation in Catholic Marriages http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/07/14/parental-and-spousal-alienation-in-catholic-marriages/
FATHER-SON BOND IS ‘CIVILIZATION’S KEYSTONE,’ EXPERT SAYS – Patrick F. Fagan talks about fatherhood and chastity at 2019 Family and Life Conference http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/05/09/father-son-bond-is-civilizations-keystone-expert-says-patrick-f-fagan-talks-about-fatherhood-and-chastity-at-2019-family-and-life-conference/
CATHOLIC HEROES: ST. DOROTHY OF MONTAU – A martyr for the indissolubility of marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2019/01/03/catholic-heroes-st-dorothy-of-montau-a-martyr-for-the-indissolubility-of-marriage/
What #MeToo and hooking up teach us about the meaning of sex? Making war, not http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/07/27/what-metoo-and-hooking-up-teach-us-about-the-meaning-of-sex-making-war-not-/
Why the world needs natural family planning more than ever? It may be the last line of defence for wholesome sex http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/07/27/why-the-world-needs-natural-family-planning-more-than-ever-it-may-be-the-last-line-of-defence-for-wholesome-sex/
Is the Holy Family a Realistic Model for Ordinary Families? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/24/is-the-holy-family-a-realistic-model-for-ordinary-families/
Pope Francis says gay couples cannot be considered ‘families’ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/18/pope-francis-says-gay-couples-cannot-be-considered-families/
Pope Francis’ ‘Amoris Laetitia’ vs. Pope St. John Paul II’s ‘Veritatis Splendor’: You Say You Want a Revolution? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/04/08/pope-francis-amoris-laetitia-vs-pope-st-john-paul-iis-veritatis-splendor-you-say-you-want-a-revolution/
Renewing or Imperiling our Understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/10/renewing-or-imperiling-our-understanding-of-the-sacrament-of-marriage/
No ring, no baby: How marriage trends impact fertility? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/03/26/no-ring-no-baby-how-marriage-trends-impact-fertility/
On Coming to the Sacrament of Marriage: A Personal Pilgrimage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/10/on-coming-to-the-sacrament-of-marriage-a-personal-pilgrimage/
On the Truth that Heals the Crisis of Marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/24/on-the-truth-that-heals-the-crisis-of-marriage/
Escaping from Motherhood: How it Destroys Society? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/05/15/escaping-from-motherhood-how-it-destroys-society/
Archbishop Bernardito Auza Stresses Benefits of Good Parenting at the United Nations in New York http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/06/03/archbishop-bernardito-auza-stresses-benefits-of-good-parenting-at-the-united-nations-in-new-york/
Lucifer’s Game: The first step is to identify the enemy http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/04/17/lucifers-game-the-first-step-is-to-identify-the-enemy/
Briefly Revisiting Pre-1983 Canonical Practice for a Better Response to Marriage Issues http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/03/16/briefly-revisiting-pre-1983-canonical-practice-for-a-better-response-to-marriage-issues/
Archbishop Charles Chaput: Blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples is not permitted http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/02/08/archbishop-charles-chaput-blessing-ceremonies-for-same-sex-couples-is-not-permitted/
5 Reasons Why I Ask for My Husband’s Permission http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/02/05/5-reasons-why-i-ask-for-my-husbands-permission/
POPE FRANCIS: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS A DIABOLICAL ATTACK ON THE FAMILY http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/02/20/pope-francis-same-sex-marriage-is-a-diabolical-attack-on-the-family/
Cardinal Tagle tells parents: Put kids first http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/03/02/cardinal-tagle-tells-parents-put-kids-first/
Have the courage to marry, start a family, Pope Francis tells youths in Assisi http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/05/30/have-the-courage-to-marry-start-a-family-pope-francis-tells-youths-in-assisi/
Pope Francis says marriage can only be between a man and a woman and ‘we cannot change it’ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/07/pope-francis-says-marriage-can-only-be-between-a-man-and-a-woman-and-we-cannot-change-it/
THE DOWNLOAD: CLARIFYING MARRIAGE – A canon lawyer joins the panel http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/05/15/the-download-clarifying-marriage-a-canon-lawyer-joins-the-panel/
The Beauty of Marriage from a Biblical Perspective http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/02/12/the-beauty-of-marriage-from-a-biblical-perspective/
Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body in Video Presentation Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body in Video Presentation
Sophia Sketchpad on Marriage Sophia Sketchpad – Marriage
Sacraments 101: Matrimony (Why make it Catholic)? Sacraments 101: Matrimony (Why make it Catholic?)
Want to change the world? It starts with joy – Archbishop Charles Chaput says http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/28/want-to-change-the-world-it-starts-with-joy-archbishop-charles-chaput-says/
How to Fix the “Annulment of Marriage Mentality”? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/14/how-to-fix-the-annulment-of-marriage-mentality/
A that is life long: The marriage God wants for you A that is life long: The marriage God wants for you
What’s destroying some Catholic marriages? What’s destroying some Catholic marriages?
‘ Love Is ’love or is it? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/10/06/-is–or-is-it/
The worm that is killing married http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/10/06/the-worm-that-is-killing-married-/
‘An act of pure evil’: Are rifles or relationships at the bottom of the madness in Las Vegas? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/10/06/an-act-of-pure-evil-are-rifles-or-relationships-at-the-bottom-of-the-madness-in-las-vegas/
The Centrality of to the Teaching of Humanae Vitae http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/21/the-centrality-of–to-the-teaching-of-humanae-vitae/
Historian lays out how we’ve arrived at today’s unprecedented attacks on the family http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/05/20/historian-lays-out-how-weve-arrived-at-todays-unprecedented-attacks-on-the-family/
Divorce’s many victims Divorce’s many victims
FATHERLESSNESS BREEDING SCHOOL GUN VIOLENCE http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/03/16/fatherlessness-breeding-school-gun-violence/
What Catholics need to know about marriage and sex, Part 2 What Catholics need to know about marriage and sex, Part 2
Why happily married women need to talk about sex? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/04/08/why-happily-married-women-need-to-talk-about-sex/
Deficiencies of the Family Code of the Philippines (II): Void and Voidable Marriages? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/12/03/deficiencies-of-the-family-code-of-the-philippines-ii-void-and-voidable-marriages/
Can a Catholic sign a pre-nuptial agreement? Can a Catholic sign a pre-nuptial agreement?
We want Church truth on marriage, young Catholics say We want Church truth on marriage, young Catholics say
Wives, Be Subordinate to Your Husbands? – John Paul II on Ephesians 5:21-33 http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/02/12/wives-be-subordinate-to-your-husbands-john-paul-ii-on-ephesians-521-33/
An Open Letter to the Adulterers outed by the Ashley Madison Hackers An Open Letter to the Adulterers Outed by the Ashley Madison Hackers
Pro-life, Married & Contracepting: Is there a a problem? Pro-life, Married & Contracepting: Is there a problem?
Pope Francis’ General Audience: The Family is an irreplaceable source of stability for children Pope Francis’ General Audience: The Family is an irreplaceable source of stability for children
The 4 most important parts of marriage The 4 most important parts of marriage
Pre-Cana with St. John Chrysostom: 7 Tips to a successful marriage Pre-Cana with St. John Chrysostom: 7 Tips to a successful marriage
Reflections on the Indissolubility of Marriage and the Trinity http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/02/12/reflections-on-the-indissolubility-of-marriage-and-the-trinity/
Why Is Marriage Indissoluble? “The first natural tie of human society is man and wife.” St. Augustine http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/04/14/why-is-marriage-indissoluble-the-first-natural-tie-of-human-society-is-man-and-wife-st-augustine/
Sins Against the sacrament of marriage 44 Sins against the sacrament of marriage
Live-in: Research facts and analysis on cohabitation Live-in: Research facts and analysis on cohabitation
Bishop Olmsted Calls Men Into the Breach http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/02/05/bishop-olmsted-calls-men-into-the-breach/
Pope Francis: When families teach forgiveness, they strengthen society Pope Francis: When families teach forgiveness, they strengthen society
THIS EUROPEAN NATION JUST FOUGHT THE GAY AGENDA AND WON – Pope Francis lent a hand http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2015/12/23/this-european-nation-just-fought-the-gay-agenda-and-won-pope-francis-lent-a-hand/
Never Date a Feminist: 12 Warning Signs for Young Men http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/04/07/never-date-a-feminist-12-warning-signs-for-young-men/
Keeping sex for marriage helps marriages last the distance http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/06/15/keeping-sex-for-marriage-helps-marriages-last-the-distance/
Pope Francis: Most Catholic marriages are null, some ‘cohabitations’ are ‘real marriage’ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/06/19/pope-francis-most-catholic-marriages-are-null-some-cohabitations-are-real-marriage/
Why Christ Will Never Let His Bride Redefine Marriage? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/08/19/why-christ-will-never-let-his-bride-redefine-marriage/
Gay ‘marriage’: It’s not gay, and it’s not marriage – G.K. Chesterton http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/09/14/gay-marriage-its-not-gay-and-its-not-marriage-g-k-chesterton/
Church’s Teaching on Marriage Comes From Author of Creation, Say Bishops http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/09/16/churchs-teaching-on-marriage-comes-from-author-of-creation-say-bishops/
The family in the era of soulmate marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/09/29/the-family-in-the-era-of-soulmate-marriage/
Why millenials don’t want kids… Are their reasons good enough? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/09/29/why-millenials-dont-want-kids-are-their-reasons-good-enough/
Real insights about porn and marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/10/28/real-insights-about-porn-and-marriage/
10 Issues You Should Discuss Before You Get Married (otherwise your marriage could be invalid!) http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/11/12/10-issues-you-should-discuss-before-you-get-married-otherwise-your-marriage-could-be-invalid/
Engaged Couple’s Spiritual Checklist http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/11/13/engaged-couples-spiritual-checklist/
Should You Get Married in the Church? 7 Couples Share Their Experience http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2016/11/13/should-you-get-married-in-the-church-7-couples-share-their-experience/
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Real Women- Feminine Virtue and the Moral Life http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/01/20/real-women-feminine-virtue-and-the-moral-life/
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Don’t divorce: Powerful arguments for saving and revitalizing your marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/04/22/dont-divorce-powerful-arguments-for-saving-and-revitalizing-your-marriage/
Procreation: Still the Primary End of Marriage http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/04/25/procreation-still-the-primary-end-of-marriage/
Archbishop Charles Chaput: ‘The future belongs to people with children, not with things’ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/08/02/archbishop-charles-chaput-the-future-belongs-to-people-with-children-not-with-things/
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Birth Control and NFP: What’s the Difference? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/14/birth-control-and-nfp-whats-the-difference/
Divorce, Remarriage, and “Discerning the Body” http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/05/17/divorce-remarriage-and-discerning-the-body/
Annulments of Marriage: A Concession to Human Weakness http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/05/annulments-of-marriage-a-concession-to-human-weakness/
PSYCHOLOGIST VICKI THORN: FREE HAS CREATED CHAOS http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/07/27/psychologist-vicki-thorn-free–has-created-chaos/
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But What About Abusive Marriages? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/08/04/but-what-about-abusive-marriages/
Sex, Sanity, and Beliefs that ‘Live Loudly’ Within Us – Archbishop Charles Chaput http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/13/sex-sanity-and-beliefs-that-live-loudly-within-us-archbishop-charles-chaput/
What Makes a Marriage Valid? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/08/09/what-makes-a-marriage-valid/
What’s changed in Britain since same-sex marriage? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/13/whats-changed-in-britain-since-same-sex-marriage/
Subversion, liberty, and ‘marriage equality’ http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/14/subversion-liberty-and-marriage-equality/
AUSTRALIAN BISHOP VINCENT LONG WON’T FIGHT GAY MARRIAGE VOTE http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/14/australian-bishop-vincent-long-wont-fight-gay-marriage-vote/
Alternative truths: A wife’s view of a gay coming out http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/09/15/alternative-truths-a-wifes-view-of-a-gay-coming-out/
Is There Marriage In Heaven? http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/11/02/is-there-marriage-in-heaven/
Be a Man – Get Married http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/11/15/be-a-man-get-married/
There is No More Important Job Than Being a Good Mother http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/11/19/there-is-no-more-important-job-than-being-a-good-mother/
Our Current Youth Culture and its Upcoming Impact on Successful Marriages http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2017/11/27/our-current-youth-culture-and-its-upcoming-impact-on-successful-marriages/
The Church Needs Honesty About Sexuality http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/2018/01/21/the-church-needs-honesty-about-sexuality/
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“God himself is the author of marriage” (GS 48:1). The vocation of marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes (CCC:1603)