The Empowering Circle

Momma Trauma blog run by Jennifer Antonik,  who is a front line advocate of violence against birth trauma and violence in child birth is launching a global birth trauma sacred circle support network!  This endeavor will be the first of its kind dedicated to birth trauma and perinatal violence victims. It is a peer-to-peer network run for and by those who have walked the warpaths of birth trauma.

                       ‘The Sacred Circle’ as Momma Trauma calls it is going live today all over the world and A Momless Mom is a part of this venture and she takes pride in sharing the ideas of this  noble cause and bringing the good news out to public for the first time!         

 So let’s take a detailed look at what this peer group can do for birth trauma families.

•  Localized, in person sacred circle support groups that will meet at least once a month
• Online forum for support, advocacy, education and all aspects of birth trauma & perinatal violence. 
• A sacred circle support group via phone conference for birth professionals, at least once a month.
• Birth professionals available for individualized support to fellow birth professionals.
• A growing bank of resources: local and international
• Future opportunities to participate in advocacy and education efforts
• All areas above will be growing as time goes on!

 Now, please devote a few minutes of your time and listen to what Momma Trauma has to say about her new initiative and the practical details of realizing this vision of hers.

  In Jennifer’s own words…

 Why is this network needed?

 As a birth trauma mom myself, I know how difficult it is to find resources for healing and recourse following a birth. I also know the importance of voicing my story (both online and in person) so that I may heal. It is my goal to get these resources out into the local community to “unearth” the unspoken traumas and get moms the peer-to-peer help and support they so desperately need. We have also come to learn that birth professionals can experience birth trauma, even if only through witnessing the course of events. These professionals who give so freely of themselves need a place to decompress from births so that they may give themselves freely in subsequent births. 

 Why will the first meetings be held during Mother’s Day Week?

 We’re asking local communities to hold their first meeting during or around Mother’s Day Week in May. This gives them one month to organize a place and time and to also promote their meetings. This network is designed not to re-traumatize the mom or birth professional, rather to help her empower herself to work on her own healing journey. It’s the empowerment that we hope a community member will take away from this network during Mother’s Day Week. As mothers, we deserve to be happy and healthy And “healthy” includes our psychological well-being.

 What do we need?

 Volunteers! Community Members! If this project interests you in any aspect, we want you! We understand that while we may feel adamant about advocating for birth trauma healing and support due to your own journey, some may not be ready for a role in leadership yet. That’s okay! We have other volunteer needs and of course you can join your local group to further your own healing and meet others nearby with similar problems. No local group yet? Fill out our feedback form and tell us! We’ll add your location to the “Location Needs” list so those interested will know there’s already an interest in your area! We need:

• Local Organizers
• Regional Help
• Forum Administrators
• Advocacy & Outreach Team
• Education & Resources Team
• Translators
• Have an idea? Tell us!

 Medical Disclaimer

 While we understand there may be medical and/or psychological issues at hand for any one of our community members, we ask that everyone involved remember that this is not a ‘professional’ support group, rather a peer-to-peer space. While we may discuss treatments within our own healing journeys, we understand that we cannot diagnose nor can we suggest any one avenue of treatment over another. We respect the autonomy of women to make their own informed decisions and in order to make those decisions; we must have information for all sides free of coercion. It is for this reason that we seek to offer a comprehensive resource library for our community members, supporters and local organizers.

 Spiritual Disclaimer

 We are working to create non-denominational, all-inclusive spaces, understanding that religion may come into play in each community. We respect the beliefs of our community members and know that the idea of “sacred space” can be created regardless of religious affiliation.

 Yours truly,

Jennifer Antonik

Momma Trauma

www.facebook.com/MommaTrauma

www.MommaTraumaBlog.com

 So, what do you think about Momma Trauma’s cause and the actions that this enterprise is taking to fight one of the most traumatic experience that majority of the Mothers come across in some point of their lives?

 Jennifer’s journey as Momma Trauma began when she came to the realization that there really isn’t much help out there for birth trauma families and certainly nothing that can be tapped into legally in her home country of United States. Years later, today Momma Trauma is going globally to fight for this cause and seeks protection for all birth mothers and their families who encounter violence in very many ways for the long haul by launching this Sacred Circle. Please wish her luck and spread the word, if you will, so that the actualization of her dreams becomes someone else’s redemption!

 Thank you for Reading!