Rasmussen University’s Brittani Bromley On What Mothers Can Do to Heal Emotionally and Physically After a Challenging Childbirth
An Interview With Lucinda Koza
Reflect on the experience and how it has made you feel: this will help strengthen your awareness and help with next steps in the closure process to prevent episodes such as post traumatic stress disorder and/or postpartum depression.
Childbirth can be a beautiful yet challenging experience that impacts women both emotionally and physically. The journey to recovery is often filled with unique hurdles and personal growth. We are featuring professionals who have helped moms navigate this journey to share their stories and insights on the steps they use to help people heal emotionally and physically after a challenging childbirth. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brittani Bromley.
Brittani Bromley is a certified nurse midwife with ten years of experience as a registered nurse. She is dedicated to providing high-quality education to patients and advocating for their needs. Currently, Brittani serves as the Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Rasmussen University, where she has the opportunity to contribute to the community by preparing future nurses. Her focus is on equipping them with a comprehensive approach to patient care, grounded in therapeutic skills to foster quality, patient-centered relationships.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you tell us a bit about you and your backstory?
I am a certified nurse midwife with a decade of experience as a registered nurse. Currently, I serve as the Program Director and Nurse Administrator for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Rasmussen University in Bloomington, MN. My areas of expertise encompass obstetrics, mental health, and critical care.
Can you share a bit about your professional background and what led you to work in this field?
My passion for assisting others and seeking meaningful work inspired me to pursue a career in nursing. Throughout my professional journey, I have recognized and leveraged my strengths in mental health, education, and obstetrics, ultimately leading me to obtain my midwifery degree. I find great fulfillment in providing education and support, particularly to new mothers. Driven by my commitment to education, I transitioned into a teaching role and subsequently assumed the position of Program Director at Rasmussen University. This role affords me the remarkable opportunity to shape the next generation of nurses, ensuring they are equipped to deliver high-quality, comprehensive care to their patients.
What are the first steps you recommend beginning the healing process after childbirth, and how can they help women cope with the initial emotional and physical aftermath?
To effectively cope with a challenging delivery and facilitate both spiritual and physical healing, I believe the initial step involves processing and understanding the events that transpired. This understanding can provide the patient with a sense of closure and initiate the healing process. Engaging in therapeutic conversations can be instrumental in this process, allowing individuals to articulate their experiences and reflect on the impact of these events, thereby enhancing their awareness. These foundational steps are essential for fostering a healthier postpartum experience.
Did you recommend support from healthcare professionals, family, or community groups during your recovery? If so, how did their involvement contribute to your healing journey?
Each patient may have a unique experience that necessitates tailored aspects of care. For individuals who have encountered challenges resulting in feelings of anxiety, sadness, or a need for additional support during the postpartum phase, it is essential to identify their existing support systems and facilitate access to resources that address their specific needs. This may include connecting them with community support groups, as well as therapists who specialize in postpartum care, ensuring a comprehensive and individualized approach to their support.
Are there any specific practices, such as mindfulness, therapy, or physical exercises, that you think play a significant role in emotional and physical recovery?
Individual counseling has demonstrated effectiveness for women who may have experienced traumatic births. Research indicates that counseling sessions conducted within three days post-delivery, supplemented by a follow-up phone check-in at 4–6 weeks postpartum, can significantly reduce symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression (Asadzadeh et al.).
Moreover, it is essential for women to prioritize restful sleep and engage in light exercise, such as brisk walking, in the early postpartum period. This gradual reintroduction to physical activity can positively impact body image and overall well-being. Educational resources, including books, can further aid women in preparing for the realities of postpartum recovery and the associated timeline.
This phase represents a new and transformative chapter in a woman’s life. Having adequate support at home is crucial, as it allows women to rest and focus on self-care. The presence of a strong support system is vital, as it not only facilitates emotional and physical recovery but also empowers women to navigate this significant transition with greater ease.
Can you please share “5 Things You Need to Heal Emotionally and Physically After a Challenging Childbirth”?
1 . Process and understand the events that transpired: this will help instill closure of the experience.
2 . Reflect on the experience and how it has made you feel: this will help strengthen your awareness and help with next steps in the closure process to prevent episodes such as post traumatic stress disorder and/or postpartum depression.
3 . Support: There are many different avenues of support; there can be supportive new mother groups, counseling groups, new parents’ group, family support, doula support, etc. Finding support that works best for the individual will help them to not feel “alone” and provide opportunities to rest and engage in self-care.
4 . Time: Give yourself time to heal. Healing takes time and be patient with yourself. It is not something that happens overnight. This can be the challenging part but time couple with the right support (therapy, community/family, etc.) will help you work through the recovery process more effectively.
5 . Rest: Find time to recharge whether it’s taking a warm bath or resting when the baby sleeps or finding others to come support household chores to help you feel like you can focus on yourself and your newborn.
In what ways do you think society is good at supporting a new mother recovering from a traumatic birthing experience?
I do believe there is more awareness of the challenges that can be coupled with postpartum. Many women are juggling between being a wife, having a job, and raising a family. With awareness, we can provide the support that women need and come from a place of understanding, rather than setting unrealistic expectations for women to do it all and work through it. In addition, all the avenues that women can find support i.e., in person, online, and even through text messaging can help women take initiative on timelines that work best for them.
In what ways can society improve at supporting new moms recovering from childbirth?
I firmly believe that the United States must enhance its maternity leave policies. Many other countries offer women extended periods of leave, allowing for essential bonding with their newborns while also providing adequate time for maternal recovery. This is crucial for ensuring that women are fully prepared to assume additional responsibilities, such as returning to their careers. Research indicates that longer maternity leaves are associated with fewer postpartum complications for both mothers and newborns, highlighting the importance of improved policies in this area.
How have you seen the experience of childbirth and recovery contribute to personal growth in new mothers? Can you share a story that illustrates this transformation?
With appropriate support, this journey can be profoundly rewarding, enabling women to recognize their strengths and capabilities. This transformative chapter in their lives is truly beautiful. It is essential, however, to equip them with the right tools and resources during this transitional phase. Many women have shared how the birthing and postpartum experiences have empowered them, helping them to discover strengths they were previously unaware of. Women are inherently powerful, courageous, and resilient and we as healthcare providers can help guide them to tap into this.
How can moms navigate the balance between taking care of their newborn and prioritizing their own healing needs during the postpartum period?
It is just that — a balance and one that women need to be patient with. It’s a juggling act at first, but having support lined up to help during this newborn period can be instrumental to allow time for a woman to re-energize and care for her own needs. We have all heard the flight attendants talk about putting on one’s own life mask first before helping others and the same goes for the postpartum period. Find those that may be able to support with helping clean the house or prep meals, so you are able to help with the baby and have some time for yourself. If support is limited, try and see if you can freeze meals prior to your delivery and have things ready to go to reduce time spent doing these things postpartum. Prioritize what is important. Its not ideal having the house not as tidy as you would like but give grace to yourself and know that’s it is okay to have this fall to the wayside as you prioritize more important things such as yourself and your newborn.
Wonderful. We are nearly done. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂?
I believe it would be highly valuable to engage in a meeting with an individual recognized as one of the most influential figures globally, such as Taylor Swift. I admire her significant impact on shaping the perspectives of young women and society at large. Taylor Swift possesses the remarkable ability to inspire positive change on a substantial scale, which is truly commendable. As an exceptional artist who remains authentic to herself, she serves as an admirable role model for women everywhere.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I advocate for the implementation of extended maternity leaves for women and consistent paternity leave for their partners. This initiative is crucial in the United States, as it can significantly enhance employee retention and job satisfaction. Providing adequate time for individuals to care for themselves and recuperate before assuming additional responsibilities is essential during this monumental transition in their lives. By allowing employees the necessary time to adjust to this new and exciting change, we can ensure they begin this journey on the strongest possible foundation.
How can our readers follow your work online?
I participate in opportunities such as this but do not regularly post work online given my full-time commitment to the nursing program. However, I enjoy opportunities to share my knowledge to help women and communities thrive!
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
About the Interviewer: After becoming her father’s sole caregiver at a young age, Lucinda Koza founded I-Ally, a community-based app that provides access to services and support for millennial family caregivers. Mrs. Koza has had essays published in Thought Catalog, Medium Women, Caregiving.com and Hackernoon.com. She was featured in ‘Founded by Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Female Founders’ by Sydney Horton. A filmmaker, Mrs. Koza premiered short film ‘Laura Point’ at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and recently co-directed ‘Caregivers: A Story About Them’ with Egyptian filmmaker Roshdy Ahmed. Her most notable achievement, however, has been becoming a mother to fraternal twins in 2023. Reach out to Lucinda via social media or directly by email: lucinda@i-ally.com.
Rasmussen University’s Brittani Bromley On What Mothers Can Do to Heal Emotionally and Physically… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.