Nicole McCharen, CPCC, CD(TL)

Postpartum coaching is a specialized form of life coaching designed to support individuals during the unique and transformative postpartum period. This coaching focuses on navigating the challenges and changes that come with adding a new baby to your life. Common themes in postpartum coaching include (but are not limited to):

1. Exhaustion/ Baby blues or Anxiety: Addressing the physical and emotional fatigue that often accompanies caring for a newborn, and managing the anxiety related to new responsibilities and new roles.
2. Identity Shifts: Helping new parents navigate the significant changes in their personal identity and roles as they transition into parenthood.
3. Relationship Dynamics: Supporting the adjustments in relationships, including the strain on partnerships and the development of new family dynamics.
4. Work-Life Balance: Assisting in managing career aspirations and responsibilities alongside the demands of parenting.
5. Self and Community Care: Emphasizing the importance of self-care and building a supportive community to foster well-being during this period.
6. Onboarding new skills: Establishing + cultivating new ways of being + doing that help you thrive and enjoy parenting more such as self-kindness, releasing control, surrendering, slowing down, asking for help, receiving help, + bonding with your loved ones even during stressful times + more.
7. Processing difficult moments of the transition: There are many significant parts of adding a new baby to your life and sometimes if they are particularly challenging, they need to be processed. I specialize in processing difficult pregnancies, births, and postpartum milestones.

Postpartum coaching is for anyone seeking extra support, a greater connection to their own inner resources during this adjustment of adding a new baby to your life, and for anyone seeking a coach who specializes in this transition. 

At times, if a client seems to have greater mental health needs that are outside the scope of life coaching, I will refer the client to a licensed mental health therapist.

Postpartum coaching aims to create a dedicated space for new parents to process these themes with intentionality and resourcefulness. By utilizing the tools and techniques of life coaching, we will:

• Set and achieve personal and parenting goals.
• Develop effective coping strategies for stress and anxiety.
• Enhance communication and strengthen relationships.
• Find balance between personal, professional, and parenting roles.
• Cultivate a supportive network for ongoing encouragement and assistance.
• Through personalized guidance and support, postpartum coaching empowers new parents to navigate the complexities of this season with greater confidence and resilience.

The term "postpartum" refers to the period following childbirth, often encompassing the first weeks and months after the birth of a baby. This period is characterized by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes as new parents adjust to their new roles and responsibilities. This period of adjustment can take longer than we expect and is defined by our own unique needs and changes. If you are still adjusting to having a baby and themes unique to this adjustment, postpartum coaching could be a great fit for you! There is no set time limit.

My coaching is a blend of life coaching and Somatic Experiencing (SE). I have been training in SE since 2019. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine to help individuals recover from trauma and stress-related disorders. It focuses on the body’s sensations and encourages the completion of the body’s natural responses to trauma. This adds a body approach to all of my coaching.

Key Concepts of SE

• Body Awareness: Increasing awareness of bodily sensations.
• Titration: Gradually processing traumatic material to prevent overwhelm.
• Pendulation: Shifting focus between trauma-related sensations and neutral/positive experiences.
• Resourcing: Using internal and external resources to feel safer.
• Discharge and Completion: Completing physiological responses to trauma to release tension.

Benefits of SE

• Trauma Resolution: Reduces symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety.
• Emotional Regulation: Improves emotional stability and reduces stress.
• Enhanced Body Awareness: Deepens connection to bodily sensations.
• Physical Health: Alleviates stress-related physical symptoms.
• Empowerment: Increases resilience and control over stress responses

I do offer a limited amount of in person home visits to local Austinites who are seeking in person support in their new postpartum, specifically the “fourth trimester time.” These are the three months post birth. These visits are roughly one hour in length and are tailored to the dyad of mama and baby or parent and baby. The benefits of in-person coaching visits during this time is to focus and cultivate a greater sense of support, stabilization, and care during this tender time. We will co-create a plan for this visit and what is most needed.

Clients who seek support in processing their birth experiences often come with these types of experiences. Some signs that you might benefit from extra support include:

• Avoidance of discussing your birth story or thinking of your birth.
• Envy of others' birth experiences.
• Lingering difficult emotions related to your birth.
• Resentment or anger towards others or self.
• Avoidance of people or places associated with your birth.
• Flashbacks or unexpected waves of emotion or sensations
• Deciding against having another child due to fear of experiencing birth again.

If you feel any need to talk about your birth and get support, please reach out.

I am able to offer 2 scholarships annually at this time. I prioritize scholarships for BIPOC individuals. Please reach out if you are in need.

Claiming our positive experiences is an impactful way to connect to our own strength and power. If you had a positive birth experience, and you desire a witness to see you, hold space for you to own the powerful parts, I would love to come alongside you and do this work with you.

The postpartum period is the transition of adding a new baby to your life that is often marked by profound changes, sleep deprivation, hormone changes, identity and relational shifts and more. With all of these changes, it is very common to have highs and moments of love and joy and also to struggle and have real lows. Struggling with these big shifts can be a very normal part of the adjustment period. There is no shame in struggling but struggling might be a sign that you need something. Get curious about why you are struggling and reach out for support if you want more help in exploring your struggles and ways to support yourself in the postpartum transition. 

The postpartum period is hard. It is demanding, it is thankless, and it is filled with significant changes that bring up emotions, needs, previous traumas, attachment styles, and so much more. There is nothing wrong with you if it is hard but you may want to get some extra support if you feel like the hard is outweighing the ability to be present, to have joy at times, and/ or you have unprocessed experiences. A parent thriving deeply impacts their children. You getting support may help ease the load and ease the transition. Reach out for support and book a consult with me to see if I could be a good fit for you in this time.