Meet Christina
Christina Acosta-Martinez is a community builder for moms of color, postpartum doula, wife, mama, home-educator, and faith-driven leader.
She founded Growing Up Gorgeous, LLC in 2016, to provide a diverse community of moms with a one-of-a-kind support system. Currently meeting in the greater Philadelphia area, this group of women have formed a village that helps them to grow.
She is proud to also serve moms in their homes as a Certified Postpartum Doula using Traditional Moroccan Medicine. She founded Postpartum Restoration to care for moms using ancient practices that support their healing and recovery after birth.
Christina has been married to Miguel for twelve years. When she’s not chasing or homeschooling her three girls, she is learning how to cook plant-based meals and taking long walks through the beautiful aisles of Target. You can find Christina on Instagram @lifeofacosta
Please use the form below to book a free postpartum consultation with Christina.
Dear Mama,
Have you imagined what life would be like as a brand new mom? Maybe you dream of a peaceful home with a whimsical nursery. Or perhaps you focus your attention on preparing for labor or researching newborn sleep methods.
Of all of the planning, daydreaming, and worrying about the baby, most expecting mamas don't consider their health and healing after the baby arrives. Birthing a baby is a life-changing experience that impacts a woman holistically. She is never the same. Her physical body, emotions, and mental health are all affected.
In 2014, I was this new mother. I spent the majority of my pregnancy stressing about how to be a good mom. I spent three long days in labor with my oldest, Summer. My birthing experience was traumatic, and I left the hospital a physical and emotional mess. My body was in pain, and the tears flowed daily. I never considered how much labor & delivery would impact my well-being and ability to care for my daughter.
The first few days after Summer came kicking and screaming into the world were demanding and exhausting. All I recall is breastfeeding struggles, a crying baby, tons of postpartum bleeding and pain, and a blur of sleepless nights. Even with support from my husband, family, and community, I suffered through the beginning of my recovery.
I didn't find relief until a friend sent over a text checking in on how I was doing. I confessed my struggle and she decided to pop by for a visit. She came over with encouraging words, knowledge, natural remedies to help my healing, a belly wrap, and nourishing food. For the first time since Summer was born I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Her resources and wisdom were what I needed at that moment. I didn't even know that she was in the middle of training to be a doula and that her calming presence and advice would be just what I needed to keep going.
My story had a happy ending, but struggling during postpartum is not a unique experience. Many women suffer even more significant physical and emotional pain, then I did. There is a need in our culture to better support women in their recovery.
After my experience with my oldest, I began to research postpartum recovery and how I could support moms in my South Jersey community. What I discovered is that Western Medicine has disregarded traditional practices in favor of modern-schools-of-thought. It is common in America for a new mom to care for herself, her newborn, her other children, and to return to responsibilities in a matter of days. Often, this leaves her vulnerable to postpartum depression and a slower recovery. We are learning more and more about the dismal maternal mortality rates in our country. But what few are discussing is the impact of leaving mothers without postpartum assistance to help them recover.
Some moms have support from family, but rarely is this help targeted towards a woman's health and restoration. Instead, we often focus on cleaning the home, holding the baby, and cooking bulk freezer meals. Although all of these things are helpful, we do little to address physical pain, provide wholesome meals, and to help the mother rest before returning to her responsibilities and work.
It's not this way everywhere. In China, there is a tradition called "sitting the month," where new moms stay indoors and rest for 30 days. In India, mothers are given a daily massage with herb-infused oils to aid in recovery. And Nigerians carry the beautiful tradition of having the grandmother give the newborn baby their first bath to symbolize the circle of support the new mother has. Across the world and for centuries, traditional practices have been used as medicine to heal the new mother.
Of all of the needed postpartum work, the traditions of the country of Morocco have blown me away. In Morocco, new mothers are referred to as Nafsa's and are honored, nurtured, closed, nourished, and celebrated after birth. With a steam bath, massage, herbs, oils, belly binding, vaginal steaming, and organic food, she experiences traditions passed down through generations. The Nafsa is treated with respect and care so that she can rest and flourish.
Birthworkers are working diligently to reclaim traditions in America. I am proudly joining them in this fight. After receiving training from The Nafsa Project School, I feel incredibly blessed to bring Traditional Moroccan Postpartum Medicine to recovering moms. As a certified postpartum doula, I am offering services to new moms in their homes. In her home, she needs support, love, nourishment, and time to rest. While her role has permanently changed to nurturer, I will be there to help nurture her.
I have been amazed at this journey to becoming a doula. It has taken years for me to find a tangible resource to provide care for moms who are so deserving. I know that this work is not just a form of physical medicine; it's soul care that will help new mothers to heal holistically.
If you know an expecting or new mama in need of support, please send her my way. To learn more about Traditional Moroccan Medicine and practical ways to support a new mom, please join the conversation at Postpartum Restoration.
Be Well,
Christina
