Pregnancy and postpartum is a time of beautiful change, but it can also come with challenges. A strong support team during this period can help you:
reduce stress and decision fatigue
feel more confident in your choices
catch issues early (physical, emotional, or medical)
recover more smoothly postpartum
feel cared for — not just responsible for caring for everyone else
And most importantly, it can help you feel like you still exist in the middle of becoming a parent.
Your Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Team (Who to Consider)
1) Your OB-GYN or Midwife
This is your primary medical provider during pregnancy.
They are essential for:
prenatal visits and monitoring
screening labs and ultrasounds
medical guidance and safety
managing complications if they arise
birth planning support
Tip: If you don’t feel listened to or supported, it’s okay to explore other providers. You deserve care that feels safe and collaborative.
2) A Doula (Pregnancy, Birth, and/or Postpartum)
Doulas provide non-medical support, and their role is hugely valuable.
A birth doula can support you with:
emotional support during labor
comfort measures and positioning
advocacy and informed decision-making
partner support
helping you feel grounded and capable
A postpartum doula can support you with:
newborn care education
feeding support (without replacing a lactation consultant)
meal prep and light household support
helping you rest
emotional support during early postpartum
If you’re building a dream team, doulas are often the glue that holds everything together.
3) A Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
A pelvic floor PT is one of the most important people to include — and one of the most overlooked.
They can help with:
pelvic pain in pregnancy
tailbone pain
pubic symphysis pain
core and pelvic floor coordination
birth prep (breathing, pushing strategies, perineal support)
postpartum recovery
leaking, prolapse symptoms, and diastasis recti
returning to exercise safely
Important: Pelvic floor PT is not only for postpartum — it’s also incredibly helpful during pregnancy.
4) A Prenatal/Postpartum Chiropractor
Pregnancy changes your body fast — and often dramatically.
As your center of gravity shifts, your pelvis adapts, your ligaments become more lax, and your nervous system works overtime.
A chiropractor trained in prenatal and postpartum care can support:
During pregnancy:
low back pain
SI joint pain
hip pain
rib pain
sciatica
pelvic alignment and mobility
comfort and movement
nervous system regulation and stress support
Postpartum:
back and neck pain from feeding and carrying
recovery from birth positioning
core and pelvic stability
headaches and tension
“my body feels off” feelings
supporting posture while your body heals
Many pregnant people are told pain is “normal.”
But common doesn’t mean you have to live with it.
5) A Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Breastfeeding is a skill that may take time and effort to develop!
A lactation consultant can help with:
latch issues
painful nursing
supply concerns
pumping plans
tongue/lip tie referrals
bottle feeding support
helping you meet your feeding goals (whatever they are)
Even one visit can make a massive difference.
And no — you don’t need to wait until you’re “struggling enough” to deserve support.
6) A Perinatal Mental Health Therapist
Pregnancy and postpartum can bring:
anxiety
intrusive thoughts
panic
depression
grief
birth trauma
identity shifts
relationship strain
A therapist trained in perinatal mental health can support you through the emotional reality of this season — not just the highlight reel.
If you’re thinking:
“I’m not sure if it’s bad enough…”
That’s often a sign it’s time to reach out.
7) Your Primary Care Provider (or a Women’s Health Provider)
This one gets missed.
Postpartum support often focuses on the baby — but your body is doing a lot behind the scenes.
Your PCP can help with:
thyroid issues
nutrient deficiencies
postpartum blood pressure changes
sleep and mood support
referrals to specialists when needed
medication management
8) A Prenatal/Postpartum Fitness Coach or Trainer
Exercise during pregnancy and postpartum should be supportive — not punishing.
A qualified prenatal/postpartum coach can help with:
safe strength training modifications
pelvic floor and core-friendly programming
breathing strategies
reducing pain triggers
building strength for labor and postpartum life
easing back into movement postpartum
This is especially helpful if you’re overwhelmed by conflicting advice online.
9) A Supportive Partner, Friend, or Family Member (Your “Real Life” Team)
Your professional team matters — but your daily-life support matters just as much.
Consider who you can ask for:
meal trains
dog walking
school pickup help
laundry help
a weekly check-in text
someone to sit with you while you feed the baby
someone who won’t give advice — just support
Support doesn’t have to be dramatic.
Sometimes the most powerful help is:
“Hey, I’m coming over for 2 hours so you can nap.”
Bonus: A Pediatric Support Team
Depending on your baby’s needs, you may also include:
pediatrician
pediatric chiropractor
lactation consultant (yes, they help baby too!)
infant feeding specialist
pediatric PT/OT (torticollis, motor development, etc.)
How to Build Your Team (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
This list might feel like a lot — and it is not a requirement to have all these providers on your team at one time. HOWEVER, I love this topic and love helping women explore all the available options for support in addition to your primary birth provider.
The common narrative is that you have to struggle during pregnancy and postpartum, and I hope to change that narrative by empowering women to seek additional support and guidance from professionals, rather than suffering on their own. Building a team of support is powerful and can help the transition to parenthood be smoother.
If you still feel overwhelmed by this list, here’s a simpler way to think about it:
Start with these 3 pillars:
Medical provider (OB/midwife)
Physical support (pelvic floor PT + chiropractic, as needed)
Emotional support (therapist, doula, trusted people)
Then build from there!
When Should You Start Building Your Support Team?
There is never a “too early” when thinking about building your care team.
A lot of people wait until they’re:
in pain
overwhelmed
sleep deprived
already postpartum
struggling with feeding
dealing with anxiety
But the best time to build support is before you’re in crisis mode.
If you’re pregnant right now, this is a great time to start.
You Deserve Support in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy and postpartum aren’t just medical events.
They are full-body, full-life transitions.
And you deserve care that supports:
your body
your nervous system
your mental health
your recovery
your confidence
You were never meant to do this alone.
Need help finding people for your team? Feel free to reach out! We are so lucky to work with so many AMAZING providers in the Northeast Ohio area and are happy to point you in the right direction!
Take care,
Dr. Gina