NATIONWIDE - SEPTEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In September 2023, Alexsis Gilles’ life was forever changed by the harrowing challenges of childbirth. Dealing with complications like hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, her pregnancy was anything but easy. Despite enduring two failed inductions, multiple epidural attempts, and an emergency C-section, Alexsis survived. But the emotional aftermath of birth trauma lingered far longer than the physical recovery.

Nine weeks later, though her body was healing, Alexsis felt emotionally shattered. Her experience made her realize that many mothers suffer in silence, without proper space or support to process the emotional scars of childbirth. Inspired by her own journey, she founded The Post Care, a community dedicated to helping mothers navigate birth trauma and offering them the care that is often missing after childbirth.

The Birth of The Post Care

Motivated by her personal experience, Alexsis created The Post Care to provide emotional support, connection, and safe spaces for mothers facing the emotional impacts of birth trauma. From support groups to local meetups and playdates, The Post Care offers opportunities for mothers to find healing together and rebuild their emotional health after childbirth.

One of the core offerings of The Post Care is its 5-week postpartum trauma group. This group serves as a powerful space for mothers to engage in deep, meaningful conversations, offering each other vulnerability, compassion, and support. These group sessions are more than just a place to share; they are a space for women to find strength in one another, allowing them to process their experiences and begin healing as a collective.

Advocating for Change: Partnering with Jessica Scarcella-Spanton 

In addition to creating healing spaces, Alexsis is committed to driving systemic change. Her next big step is her work with Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton on groundbreaking legislation aimed at improving postpartum care for mothers who have experienced traumatic births. This bill, expected to be introduced in January 2026, will push for better screening, consistent follow-up care, and a more comprehensive support system for mothers dealing with birth trauma.

The proposed legislation aims to shift the focus of postpartum care from merely surviving childbirth to truly recovering. If passed, it could transform maternal care across the country by ensuring that birth trauma is recognized, and that mothers receive the screening and support they need to heal emotionally. This policy change would set a new standard for how healthcare systems address postpartum care, ensuring that no mother is left to navigate trauma on her own.

Alexsis views this legislative push as a vital step in reshaping the field of maternal care, focusing on the holistic well-being of mothers and families. “This bill is about making sure that birth trauma is acknowledged in the healthcare system and that proper care is available to help mothers heal,” she says. The potential impact of this legislation could improve outcomes for mothers, children, and families across the country.

The Vision Ahead: Through the Storm, I Chose You

Alongside her advocacy work and community-building efforts, Alexsis is also working on a deeply personal project: a children's book titled Through the Storm, I Chose You. Set to be released at the end of 2025, this book is a heartfelt love letter from mother to child, reflecting on the emotional journey of birth trauma and honoring the resilience and strength of mothers.

Written with honesty and tenderness, Through the Storm, I Chose You offers parents a way to express difficult emotions that often go unspoken after a traumatic birth. It is designed to help mothers articulate the bond they share with their children, even when the birth experience was challenging. The book serves as a bridge between parent and child, validating the complex emotions that come with birth trauma, while providing comfort to mothers and a keepsake for children to cherish as they grow.

“Through the Storm, I Chose You" is a story about love, resilience, and the deep bond between mother and child,” says Alexsis. “It’s for mothers who want to say what’s in their hearts but often struggle to find the words after a traumatic birth. It’s a message of strength, healing, and unbreakable love.”

The book will also serve as a resource for parents, professionals, and communities to foster healing conversations about birth trauma, recovery, and love. Through this project, Alexsis hopes to offer more than just a story; she aims to create a tool for healing and connection, one that reaches both mothers and children alike.

A Growing Movement

What started as a personal journey has now blossomed into a movement that is shifting how society supports mothers. With The Post Care, Alexsis has built a community that prioritizes emotional recovery, helping mothers navigate birth trauma without fear of judgment or isolation. Through support groups, meetups, and advocacy work, Alexsis is creating lasting change in how mothers are supported during their postpartum journey.

Her work is also inspiring others to engage in the movement, advocating for policy changes and making maternal emotional health a central part of the conversation around postpartum care. As The Post Care continues to grow, it is becoming a beacon of hope and support for mothers who need it most.

Call to Action

If you or someone you know is navigating birth trauma, The Post Care offers a compassionate community where you can find support, healing, and connection.

Visit the The Post Care website to learn more about the organization’s support groups, local meetups, and upcoming events. Together, we can create a world where mothers are not only supported but empowered to heal and thrive.

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