mothers guide to postpartum in swfl
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For the Mothers: A Pregnancy and Postpartum Guide to SWFL

As more young families put down roots on the Gulf Coast, support is expanding with doulas, perinatal therapy, postpartum meal delivery and mommy-and-me fitness.

by

Wellness

The Gulf Coast is growing faster than its infrastructure can handle—and nowhere is that more apparent than in maternal health. The need spans the pregnancy care spectrum, from fertility and prenatal to labor and delivery to postpartum. The region’s two main hospital systems, NCH Naples Comprehensive Health and Lee Health, are undergoing massive expansions to fill in the gaps.  

Lee Health plans for a new 60,000-square-foot Pediatric Surgery Center and Family Medicine Clinic to open in 2028. And, at Collier County’s only hospital with labor and delivery care, The BirthPlace at NCH is currently operating at 97% capacity. Maternal-fetal medicine visits have increased 400% since 2019. The January announcement of the $350 million Van Domelen Institute for Women & Children signals that a change is coming. The institute’s 156,000-square-foot pavilion, built above the existing women and children’s ward on the North Naples campus, will include a level three NICU, expanded subspecialty care, and a broader investment in women’s and pediatric health across the county.  

“The goal is to ensure that healthcare is accessible to everyone who needs it, when they need it,” says NCH’s chief impact officer Mara Hammond. In the pages ahead, you’ll find a guide to regional providers and resources making the journey just a little bit easier for new moms along the Gulf. 

Agency in Obstetrics 

Delivering a child is a personal experience. Here, a demand for options outside of the hospital setting is on the rise.

There are currently 13 families on the waitlist at the midwife-led Family Birth Center of Naples. And this isn’t abnormal. Though interest in alternative birthing methods outside the hospital is increasing, the Family Birth Center of Naples remains the only freestanding facility of its kind in the area. “Obstetrics is very polarizing right now,” says Dawn Meier, a midwife of 26 years and the principal at Family Birth Center.  

She’s seen an uptick in families opting to give birth outside of the hospital setting. And she’s not the only one noticing. Recently, the CDC published a study showing a 12% increase in home births from 2020 to 2021—the highest level in over three decades—showing an advanced push for alternative birthing options and agency for parents. 

At the Family Birth Center, Dawn prioritizes individualized care and education. “It’s important for moms to know what changes are going on in their bodies,” Dawn says. For her patients, this means classes on pregnancy nutrition, childbirth, and breastfeeding, as well as a third-trimester virtual FAQ session and in-person birth rehearsals through the center’s co-op doula program. “All the education just makes them feel even that much more empowered through the process,” she says.

For the postpartum period, there are three visits (the standard for most hospitals is one 6-to-8-week checkup after birth)—the first of which takes place 24-72 hours after birth in the patient’s home. “We want to make sure that moms don’t have to worry about scheduling anything and getting ready and going outside the house when they really should just be in bed resting and recovering,” she says. The appointment also includes any pertinent screenings for the baby that would happen in the hospital prior to checkout. 

The regional demand for personalized care has surpassed what Dawn can offer—she states that she could add on two more midwives and open another center and still not be able to meet it. “Things need to be reevaluated,” she says. One thing is clear: Parents want more options.

The Recovery Playbook

LifeBeHold, Naples 

After more than two decades as a massage therapist specializing in pregnancy massage and women’s health, LifeBeHold owner Cheryl Bernardi continues to help women at all stages—whether they’re trying to conceive, pregnant, preparing for labor or postpartum—to feel their best. lifebehold.com 

Village Naples

The organic meal delivery service, running from Marco Island to Fort Myers, includes a postpartum menu with dietitian-designed meals for recovery and nourishment. Options include fiber and iron-rich snacks for on-the-go fuel, and protein-filled breakfast bowls with grains and seasonal veggies to hit macronutrient targets. villagenaples.com 

Hennessy Catering Company, Fort Myers

Meals, snacks, infused teas, lemonades, soups and bone broths feature local, organic ingredients at this Fort Myers catering company’s postpartum meal service. Menus change with the seasons. hennessycatering.com

Rattled Concierge, Naples

Born of her own desire to spend more time with her family, Megan Dixon helps moms throughout Southwest Florida catch up on household chores, from unloading the dishwasher to folding laundry. rattledconcierge.com 

ChiroQueen, Naples 

The ChiroQueen Concierge model starts with a virtual appointment to collect information, followed by an in-person chiropractic joint-motion examination to assess pelvic and back joints, and a corresponding treatment. chiroqueen.com

Night Nannies of Naples

Since 2011, owner Geraldine Cirillo and her night nannies have helped new moms get a good night’s rest. They take over all nightly duties and offer tips and tricks to help babies sleep through the night. nightnanniesofnaples.com

Holistic Health Physical Therapy and Wellness, Bonita Springs

Run by pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist Dr. Bri Wyatt, this practice combines holistic healing with modern science to address pelvic health and postpartum therapy. holistichealthphysicaltherapyandwellness.com

More than Baby Blues

A shortage of specialized providers in a country where mental health already faces significant stigma raises one key question: How and when should moms in Southwest Florida seek help?

Licensed mental health counselor Shannon Wiseley has spent the past 11 years specializing in maternal mental health through the Maternal & Family Counseling Group in Fort Myers. According to Shannon, one in five women experiences a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, though stigma surrounding both motherhood and mental health means many cases go undiagnosed.

While Shannon has since trained more maternal mental health specialists, she says access remains limited for women navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum depression and anxiety, miscarriage or stillbirth. Perinatal therapists are trained to identify the hormonal, emotional and psychological factors that can affect mental health in women trying to conceive, expectant and new mothers. 

For many mothers, the first mental health checkpoint comes during postpartum visits with an OB-GYN or pediatrician through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, which is used to screen for symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. “In a perfect world, it’s talked about, the answers are gone over, and the doctor then refers the patient to a therapist,” Shannon says. But finding a provider with maternal mental health expertise can be challenging, leaving some women without the specialized support they need.

Shannon encourages women to think about mental health support before they reach a breaking point. Establishing a relationship with a therapist early on in your pregnancy—or even while trying to conceive—can provide a trusted resource during a major life transition and make it easier to seek help if concerns arise later. While a perinatal specialist is ideal, a general therapist can also provide support and help connect patients with additional resources. “These symptoms are very treatable, and you don’t have to suffer,” Shannon says.

It’s important to stay informed. Some mothers worry that disclosing intrusive or frightening thoughts could lead to a Baker Act, Florida’s law allowing involuntary emergency mental health evaluation for those in immediate danger of harming themselves or others. Emergency protocols can vary by county; moms can benefit from learning about local resources and developing a plan for where to turn for help before a crisis occurs. That might mean identifying a therapist, saving local resources or discussing a plan with a partner or trusted loved one. But don’t let fear keep you from seeking help, she says.

For additional support, Postpartum Support International offers free support groups, educational resources and a searchable directory of maternal mental health providers offering both virtual and in-person care.

Move It!

For new mothers, getting back to exercise is easier when baby is part of the plan. 

Move4 Mommy & Me Mat Pilates, Naples and Fort Myers

Arriving at locations across Naples and Fort Myers, the 45-minute mat Pilates classes are geared toward pregnancy and postpartum recovery, core strength and rebuilding functional movement. Movements easily accommodate a baby on the hip or at your feet. And, post-class social events often offer facials and massages. move4swfl.com 

Burn Boot Camp, multiple locations

This national chain earns a loyal local following for its complimentary childcare, partnered with trainer-lead workouts. Formats rotate throughout the week—from strength training to high energy conditioning. burnbootcamp.com 

Mommy & Me Yoga Club, multiple locations

The yoga and sculpt classes for moms and kids of all ages regularly take over spaces such as the indoor playground Big City Kids to exercise and play. Find classes in Naples, Bonita Springs and Cape Coral. mommyandmeyogaclub.com

WellWay, Cape Coral

In addition to quarterly health assessments and customized health plans, WellWay members can drop off children as young as 2 for Parents’ Night Out events, where the club hosts kid-friendly dinners and activities. wellway.com