Christie Ertner and Kimi Nomura Schwab want to start an honest and real conversation around the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood.
With an estimated one in every six women suffering from postpartum depression and/or anxiety (PPD/A) before or after giving birth, Steveston moms Ertner and Nomura Schwab and their recently-formed Van City Mom Squad are hosting an event like no other in the region.
Hoping to attract around 75 new moms to the City Centre Community Centre (C4) on July 26, the pair say PPD/A is often characterized by despondency, emotional instability, anger, guilt, tearfulness, worrying, anxious thoughts or images, feelings of inadequacy and the inability to cope.
Nomura Schwab said the Pacific Post Partum Support Society (PPPSS) normally hosts or takes part in smaller events or gatherings, “but nothing on this scale.”
“PPD carries such a strong stigma,” says Van City Mom Squad co-founder Nomura Schwab, 31, whose son, Grey, is seven months.
“Motherhood is supposed to be such a ‘blissful’ experience and I find a lot of moms want to paint a perfect picture of motherhood because of this.
“We want to have a very honest conversation around the joys, but also the challenges, of motherhood.
“Although this is a more serious subject, it’s still very much a social event.”
At the event, women can meet other moms, share their experiences and listen to candid stories about what happens when feelings of excitement, exhaustion and elation from pregnancy and birth converge at once.
And Georgie Hutchinson, counsellor and group facilitator with the Pacific Postpartum Support Society, and Eran Sudds, founder of The Good Mother Project, both moms, along with others who’ve experienced postpartum depression, will shed some light on the challenging emotions of motherhood while sharing their story.
“We want moms to know that they aren’t alone, and that they are doing a great job,” says Ertner, 32, whose daughter is 10 months.
“And if some feel that they need some support, they can come and learn about the amazing community resources available to them.”
“Mommin’ ain’t easy: A conversation about emotional wellness” takes place Tuesday, July 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at C4, 105-5900 Minoru Blvd. Free registration at VanCityMomSquad.eventbrite.com.
Refreshments will be served and there will also be prizes to be won.
Ertner and Nomura Schwab set up the Van City Mom Squad earlier this year after noticing there was a void in social opportunities for new moms.
Primarily targeting mothers with newborns, or pre-toddler age, the Steveston-based group hosted its first ever Mommy + Baby Picnic in June, where more than 200 moms, plus their babies, turned out in Steveston Park.
For more information, follow @VancityMomSquad on Instagram or email [email protected].
