The joys and challenges of motherhood are common threads between people who may have nothing else in common. The highs and the lows of raising children can be particularly intense right after a baby is born.
The thrill of holding a newborn is incredible, but recovery after childbirth can be grueling. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women. Symptoms such as severe mood swings, overwhelming fatigue, restlessness, shame, fear, brain fog, and hopelessness can be debilitating and last up to a year after giving birth.
Victoria lives in Honduras with her two daughters. After giving birth to her second child, she felt alone. “I spent a lot of time in bed, but I knew that I always had to take care of my children. I was empty, anguished, and lonely.”
Then Victoria met Convoy of Hope. She joined Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment program, where she participated in a Family Health Empowerment group.
In Family Health Empowerment, Convoy trains and educates women — including expectant and new mothers — in early childhood development, nutrition, health, hygiene, literacy, cooking, and even small-scale agriculture. Mothers receive vitamins for both themselves and their children.
An integral part of Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment programming is teaching women about their inherent worth and empowering them to advocate for themselves.
“I never imagined that there were programs like this, especially in helping to guide women who are pregnant in the care they should have and learn from the experiences of others,” Victoria said. “I feel that I am a better mother for my daughters. I am putting into practice what I’ve learned.”
Now, Victoria is more confident in herself as a woman and a mother. She strives to be better every day. “I want to be an example for [my kids],” she said. “[I want them] to feel proud to say that I am their mother.”
