by Jessica Hunter
Birth Doula(DONA)
Melissa Bangs is back “Playing Monopoly with God”. After her sweeping performance last Fall, Bozeman was chattering about her postpartum story. Our hearts were opened to her story of postpartum psychosis and her story of healing; to her honesty and her vulnerability in Mama Mode. Here in Bozeman and in our childbirth community, this is one of the first times I’ve heard a story like hers spread like wild fire. This should not be the case. Her story is one from many women’s’ hearts and it should be a story that we’ve heard from any woman wanting to tell it. As a labor and birth doula, I get to see the miracle of birth almost every week sometimes! There is never a shortage of tears and smiles when parents first hold their babies or when the baby lets out their first cry. After those initial few moments, both new parents will look up and ask “well, what do we do now?”… Isn’t that the question of the day! Melissa Bangs opened our eyes here in Bozeman to the realities of mediocre postpartum support that new mothers get and the necessity of that changing. Parents should receive as much support as new moms and dads as they did when they were pregnant and laboring. Her show is a harmony of humor, tears, truths, and healing. Healing isn’t really necessary until you’ve been broken. And going through this journey doesn’t really do anyone any good unless it’s shared. Let’s help support her journey and spread awareness about her beautiful message! Welcome back to Bozeman, Melissa Bangs! •
