In Today's Issue:
❣️ Caught Between Contradictions: Fueling a New Era in Women’s Health.
🥳 Top 3 Trends Reshaping Postpartum Care.
🎥 Postpartum in the Movies?! (and PPU is in it!)
This past weekend, I found myself in a crowded grocery store checkout line—one of those endless waits. When it was finally my turn, the cashier looked at me, tears welling in her eyes, and began to sob.
She was in pain. The doctor had botched her surgery. Her Medicaid was caught up in red tape, and she felt like her entire life was falling apart.
Right there, in the middle of a busy store with a line of people behind us, I held her in my arms and told her that she mattered. I offered what little comfort I could, whispering it would be okay, that peace was possible—even when everything feels shattered.
Standing in that moment, I was reminded of just how vulnerable we all are—how much struggle, pain, and sheer unpredictability life can hand us. And yet, in that very same breath, I also felt grateful—truly grateful for the joy and abundance in my own life.
For once, I didn’t feel guilty for having good things when others are suffering. Because I’ve come to understand that two things—pain and joy, chaos and hope—can exist at the same time without canceling each other out.
I just returned from a work trip to San Diego (big things are transpiring! More on that later), where I recorded in-person podcasts and connected with incredible people, including Anna Rapp. We chatted about my history of severe postpartum depression, anxiety, autoimmune disease, and rage—how devastating they were in the moment, yet what blessings they ultimately became.
Those brutal experiences forced me to cultivate a better, more authentic life. The heartbreak and the healing happened simultaneously. Two truths at once.
What's the point, you ask?
This is the same duality I see in our broken healthcare system.
On one side, pills and quick fixes that rob mothers of their innate wisdom and power. On the other, a radical return to the simple truths that have guided us for generations: food as medicine, connection as healing, and trust in a mother’s body to know what it needs.
We can hold both realities.
The system is in shambles, and we’re on the cusp of a revolutionary shift in postpartum care. If we—the ones doing the hard, messy work—don’t step up to shape this transformation, it’ll shape us instead.
Let’s be the ones who show up, just like I did for that cashier: with empathy and a willingness to hold complexity.
Amid all the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remains rock-solid: Nutrition.
Whether you’re exploring new modalities or returning to ancient practices, nourishment through real, whole foods is the core that stabilizes everything. It’s the common ground between the maddening modern world and the timeless wisdom that’s carried mothers—and all of us—for centuries.
Right now, we’re wrapping up our latest Postpartum Nutrition Certification Program cohort, and the stories rolling in are inspiring:
Whilst I have gained an indescribable about of knowledge to go forth in building a business and supporting my clients, what I wanted to share more than anything was the change that I MYSELF have experienced through this certification... I have healed symptoms that I didnt even know I was experiencing. I have completely healed my postpartum rage & my nervous system is much more regulated. I am no longer looking for an energy boost at 3pm (or a nap) and to be honest, I dont know the last time I felt this good.
- Stephanie Grubic, Midwife and Health Coach
There is no end to the fantastic information contained in this course. Maranda has such a reassuring and nonjudgemental way of presenting the information, helping you see HOW you can implement it in your practice in a way that meets your desires for your business as well as meets the needs of your clients. She and her team are also highly responsive to questions. I appreciated this course very much.
-Marlo Knight, Postpartum Doula
Each voice echoes the same truth: when we blend nutritional expertise, root-cause care, and heartfelt compassion, mothers thrive. If you’re not on the waitlist for the next cohort, now’s the time. We open again in March 2025, and you’ll want first dibs (plus an early-bird discount!).
Whether you’re gearing up for certification, are already certified, or cheering from the sidelines, you are pivotal in helping mothers rediscover the power within themselves.
We may stand in two worlds at once—a flawed system that breaks our hearts and a profound belief that transformation is possible—but together, we’re forging a third path—one that deeply honors every mother, celebrates her strengths, and restores the integrity of true postpartum care.
🥳 200th Podcast Episode Celebration!
It’s hard to believe we’ve hit 200 episodes—and yet, here we are, still going strong and pushing boundaries in postpartum care! After a fantastic Q+A call that closed out our recent certification program, I was struck by how future-oriented you all are. You’re the innovators, the pioneers—always ready to explore what’s next for postpartum healing.
So, in this milestone episode, I’m sharing the top 3 trends that are about to reshape postpartum care. Think of it as a crash course in the future of our field, with insights you can apply right now to help your work thrive. If you’re ready to stay ahead of the curve, tune in and discover what’s on the horizon for postpartum, and how you can position yourself to make the biggest impact.
Here’s to the next 200 episodes—and to each of you who are helping create a revolution in women’s health, one mother at a time!
🎥 Postpartum in the Movies?!
I’m honored to be part of a new documentary that dives into the beauty and complexity of postpartum care. My role? The designated questioner. While the film celebrates all the wonderful facets of holistic support, I’m there to make sure we challenge any one-size-fits-all assumptions. Because, let’s be real, postpartum care should never be cookie-cutter. You can follow the details of this documentart here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5Dk5MuaXd/
Thank you for being here, for showing up for the future of postpartum care, and for standing boldly in this beautiful and complex work. Together, we’re challenging the contradictions, shaping a new narrative, and bringing hope to the mothers we serve. Whether you’re celebrating alongside us for the 200th podcast episode, diving into new trends, or just soaking up inspiration, know that your work is vital, your impact is profound, and the future of postpartum care is brighter because of you. Let’s keep pushing forward—together. 💛
With Love,
Maranda Bower
CEO & Founder of Postpartum University®
www.PostpartumU.com
