Closing the Postpartum Gap: A Better Way to Do Postpartum Recovery with Dr. Ashleigh Peterson [Ep 40]

Host Michelle Barnett welcomes listeners to the Mommin’ Together podcast and introduces a conversation with Dr. Ashleigh Peterson, a doctorate-prepared nurse, holistic postpartum coach, and Christian mom of three, about the “postpartum gap” in U.S. care compared with other countries. Ashleigh shares her background in PICU, postpartum nursing, and women’s health, why she started Worthy Women coaching, and how U.S. postpartum care often centers on a brief 6-week checkup with limited emotional and spiritual support. They discuss longer maternity leave and home support abroad, the importance of pelvic floor physical therapy, depression screening limits, and building community through church and mom groups. Ashleigh offers simple preparation steps like diaphragmatic breathing, education, breath prayers, nutrition basics, sleep hygiene, accepting help, and reframing identity in Christ, plus resources including her program Revitalize Your Postpartum, 1:1 coaching, and her book Third Trimester Prep.

00:00 Welcome to Mommin Together

00:29 Why Postpartum Support Matters

01:24 Meet Dr Ashleigh Peterson

02:02 Her Nursing Journey

03:42 From Provider to Coach

04:45 US vs Global Postpartum Care

11:33 The Six Week Checkup Gap

14:57 Pelvic Floor and Physical Recovery

16:09 Emotional and Spiritual Health

20:15 Finding Resources and Community

22:59 Identity in Christ as a Mom

27:51 Simple Postpartum Prep Tips

32:22 Breath Prayers and Birth Mindset

34:56 Grace Surrender and Trials

37:22 Postpartum Nutrition Basics

38:44 Easy Food Prep Ideas

41:40 Protein Balls and Smoothies

43:14 Sleep When Baby Sleeps

44:23 Sleep Hygiene and Support

47:58 Biblical Rest Mindset

51:02 Planning a Gentle Postpartum

54:17 Encouragement for Surviving Moms

56:56 Finding Support and Programs

01:02:53 Nature as a Mom Hack

01:05:31 Postpartum Cramping Warning

01:08:54 Final Wrap and Call to Share

Connect with Ashleigh: 

I'm Dr. Ashleigh Peterson DNP, FNP-BC, otherwise known as Dr. Ash. I am a Christian, a wife to Tyler, a mama to three littles, a nurse practitioner, an entrepreneur for my business Worthy Women, a certified pre & postnatal fitness specialist, a weight loss coach, a holistic postpartum coach, a nursing professor, and a women's health and wellness speaker. My mission is to empower women's wellness in Christ. 

Instagram: @liveworthywomen

Website: www.liveworthywomen.com

Promo code on my website for 20% my On-Your-Time programs, Revitalize Your Postpartum and Grace & Glow Suite: MOMTOGETHER20

Resources: 

Ashley’s Book: Third Trimester Prep: Preparing Your Mind, Body and Spirit for Postpartum

Breath Beads: https://www.breath-beads.com/

Diaphragmatic Breathing: https://youtube.com/shorts/z7BgBmaXl7k

360 Breathing:  https://youtube.com/shorts/-li8niRlgEY 

Bridget Teyler on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMWeCrulKjk 

Lily Nichols Real Food for Pregnancy: https://amzn.to/4cHCNPl

AfterEase for After Birth Contractions: https://amzn.to/4u0Tifz

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: ⁠@Mommin_Together

@Michelle_Barnett_ ⁠

Join our⁠ ⁠Mommin’ Together Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠