The Post Care provides a community of emotional support, resources, and safe spaces for mothers navigating birth trauma.
A Personal Journey, A Powerful Movement
In September 2023, Alexsis Gilles faced a life-altering experience. After a difficult pregnancy and an emergency C-section, she came close to losing her life while giving birth to her daughter. What followed was a healing journey, not just physically, but emotionally. While recovering, Alexsis realized that many mothers, like herself, silently carry the weight of birth trauma, without the proper support to process it. This realization led to the creation of The Post Care, a organization dedicated to supporting soon-to-be and postpartum mothers experiencing difficult pregnancies/birth trauma.
From the very beginning, Alexsis faced a challenging pregnancy: Hyperemesis Gravidarum, daily Lovenox injections, Gestational Diabetes, Carpal Tunnel, and constant monitoring for Preeclampsia. After enduring two failed inductions, eleven epidural attempts, and an emergency C-section, her daughter was rushed to the NICU due to her umbilical cord being wrapped around her three times. Moments after, Alexsis hemorrhaged and narrowly survived.
Despite the physical healing that took place in the following weeks, she felt emotionally shattered. Nine weeks after her birth experience, she returned to work, but the weight of the trauma lingered. She realized she was not alone in this struggle, many mothers go through similar experiences, and many are left without a safe space to talk about or process their trauma.
The Birth of The Post Care
Motivated by her personal journey, Alexsis founded The Post Care to offer emotional support and create safe spaces for mothers to connect, heal, and share their stories. The Post Care, dedicated to mothers on any stage of their journey and through all walks of life, offers and hosts support groups, local meetups, and playdates for mothers to find strength and solidarity. Through these events, women come together with vulnerability, courage, and compassion, finding healing through shared experiences.
One of the most impactful initiatives has been the 5-week postpartum trauma group, where mothers engage in deep, meaningful conversations, and support one another in their healing. Alexsis describes this group as one a rewarding and bittersweet part of her life, as she has been able to bring together and support women who’ve had similar showering experiences, despite it all, finding power and peace in each other’s stories.
A Growing Community
The Post Care stands out by focusing on the unique and often overlooked needs of mothers facing birth trauma. What sets The Post Care apart is the strong sense of community and the belief that no mother should suffer alone. It is a place where emotional recovery is as important as physical recovery. The group fosters deep connections between mothers, ensuring they never feel isolated in their experiences, whatever that might look like.
Alexsis has worked hard to advocate for more systemic change in the care provided to mothers. She is currently working alongside Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton on legislation aimed at improving care for mothers who have experienced traumatic births. This bill seeks to establish better screening processes and comprehensive systems of support to ensure that women receive the care they need.
The Vision for the Future
The Post Care is just the beginning of Alexsis’ vision to change how the world supports mothers after childbirth. Through emotional support, advocacy, and community building, Alexsis and The Post Care are helping to reshape the landscape of postpartum care, ensuring that mothers have the resources and understanding they need to heal emotionally, not just physically.
Alexsis is in the process of completing her children’s book, Through the Storm, I Chose You, a heartfelt story that tenderly captures a mother’s journey through a difficult birth and the deep, healing love she discovered in her child. Written as a gentle letter from mother to baby, the book speaks honestly about fear, strength, and stormy moments, while highlighting the unshakable bond between them. Through this story, Alexsis is processing her own birth trauma and sharing a message of resilience and love with her daughter. With tender words and emotional depth, the book honors every parent who has faced a challenging beginning and emerged with love as their guiding light. It will be available on Amazon at the end of the year.
Alexsis’ work is a beacon of hope and strength for mothers who have faced birth trauma. Through her dedication to building community and advocating for systemic change, she is creating spaces that foster connection, healing, and a powerful collective voice demanding better care for mothers.
Summary:
The Post Care creates a community for mothers navigating birth trauma, offering support, connection, and a platform for healing.
Social Media & Website Links:
- Instagram: @thepostcare_
- Website: The Post Care
