Postpartum Support Virginia Inc

Excellent care and a great organization that fulfills a very important need.

As someone who has seen both a wife and daughter go through miscarriages and/or difficult births, this organization is a god-send. I know for them and the family it was a very difficult time and having an organization like PSVa during and after the pregnancies would have been a tremendous help. There were lots of questions, concerns, and self-evaluation that this group can help address. Even just knowing they aren’t alone is extremely helpful. As I learn more about PSVa, I would think this type of service would be critical in any community.

Working with PSVa has been an amazing time - from the care they display through their words and actions to the fun events that are put on, it has always been a great time. You can truly tell each employee or volunteer really care about the population being served and mental health as a whole.

My wife had PMADS after giving birth to our daughter and even though I am in the mental health field there wasn't much I could do to help her. When she started her job with PSVa they immediately made sure to check in on her upon noticing some of the experiences she was going through. They continue to check on her and I am so happy she works for and we volunteer for such a wonderful group!

I've immensely enjoyed working with PSVa as peer mentor and have been impressed with the staff's diverse knowledge and endless compassion in supporting birthing people and their families. Not to mention leadership's focus on ensuring volunteers have the tools they need and continuing education to react to new research on PMADs in thoughtful and culturally sensitive ways. First learned about PSVa through my ob/gyn's office during a postpartum visit when I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. PSVa's postpartum group therapy allowed me to connect with other mothers when I previously had felt alone and unsure of how to juggle a new mental health issue with the demands of parenthood.

PSVa has helped countless number of moms, babies and families over the last 8 years I've been working with them. It's been an honor to see their growth from the time I started as a volunteer, medical speaker, board member and now Honorary Chair. Their programs are inclusive, diverse and are accessible.
~Natasha K. Sriraman MD MPH FAAP FABM
@Natasha.Mom.MD
Author of: "Return to You: A Postpartum Plan for New Moms"

This organization is amazing and a god-send for mothers and parents who are struggling and need a hand up out of a dark time. Thankful this organization is operational

I am a former volunteer and current employee with Postpartum Support Virginia. This organization has a heart for supporting perinatal families in the Commonwealth with an abundance of resources, free social support groups, care coordination, grants, and many other life-changing services. I can't wait to see the amazing thing PSVa will do as it expands throughout the state.

PSVa is an excellent organization and plays a critical role in offering FREE services to perinatal people and their families. I’ve seen first-hand the impact of PSVa’s work on improving the lives of perinatal people and their families.

PSVA is doing wonderful things for families who are expecting or have just welcomed their new little baby into the world. The model of peer to peer support helps people know they are not alone and that they can make it through what's currently in front of them. It is really impressive how the full time staff has empowered mentors to support others while also providing care and guidance to the volunteers. Thank you PSVA, keep up the good work!

PSVa saved my life! I was 4 months pregnant when the pandemic hit in March 2020. I felt very lonely and isolated during my pregnancy and didn't know it at the time but I was depressed while pregnant. As you can imagine, my pregnancy didn't go anything like I had planned. My husband couldn't attend the prenatal visits, I didn't have a baby shower, nor did I get to tour the hospital when I wanted to give birth. I delivered 3 weeks early via cesarean due to eclampsia, I was grateful to be able to have my husband in the room but no other family in the days after. My son had jaundice and I recall the moment my depression set it. I was breastfeeding, and the nurses told me I would have to give him formula to help with the bilirubin. I immediately felt worthless. The next 3 months were miserable. I cried every day. Literally every day for 3 months. I couldn't understand why I wasn't happy. New life, without the help of family or friends was horrendous. I was angry and resentful with my husband who was able to return back to work and have some "freedom" away from the baby. I couldn't stop my brain from racing on all the things I had to do. My postpartum depression and anxiety took a tremendous toll on me and I had suicidal thoughts and a plan. Gratefully I spoke to my therapist about it my plan and she and my husband jumped into action. I was given medicaiton to help me sleep and help my mood, but I was leary about taking it since I was breastfeeding.

I recall getting on the support group call for women of color with PSVa and just sobbing. I was telling the ladies about my experience as I mentioned above and they reassured me how the medicine would help, how the dosage was safe for my breastfeeding son (which I felt like at the time was the only thing I had done right and didn't want him on formula). I finally felt seen and heard!!! I joined the calls weekly and as my mental and physical health improved, I found myself joining the calls to encourage other moms. I'm FOREVER grateful for the ladies who led the support group because their reassuring voices were the voices I needed to hear telling me I was doing everything right and helped me advocate for myself and my needs. Being on the support group calls and being able to ask questions and get resources was amazing! One of the best things about finding this group was that I live in MD and although the group is based in VA they welcomed ALL MOMs/Perinatal/Postnatal people, from all over and they accepted me, messy bun, leaky-breast, spit-up shirt, crying baby and ALL. PSVa was My safe space. My village. When I truly needed it the most.

I was in the darkest period of my life during what I had expected to be the happiest time as a new Mom. I was dealing with postpartum anxiety, depression, and PTSD all while navigating life as a parent and caring for a newborn. I felt scared and isolated. My OB and PCP had no resources to provide me in the way of support services. I did not know where to turn for help. That is when I found Postpartum Support Virginia's website. With a few easy clicks I was able to find a support group of other parents experiencing PMADs. I will never forget coming to the group for the first time and the amazing facilitators who were holding the doors open, helping with strollers ,and offering water and cozy seats. These simple gestures of kindness meant a lot to a new Mom who has been living in survival mode. I attended the group every week in person and then online when the pandemic began. For the first time, I felt like I was in a space where other people really understood what I was going through and could offer me support, hope, and friendship. There was no judgement. There was space to grieve, process, share, listen, be comforted, and inspired. Some of the connections I made during the social support group meetings are lifelong. The weekly group allowed me to set down any shame or blame I had felt over having PMADs and gave me the support I needed to come out of the other side healed. My PSVa Support Group helped save my life and I will be forever grateful.