This is a paid piece from Our Postpartum Village.

Simplified: The old adage "it takes a village to raise a child," didn't ring true for Carrie Benson after she had her first child in 2019. All of a sudden she found herself as a new parent facing down a gap many parents also experience: the village wasn't there. Now, she's working to help parents build their own support systems with her business, Our Postpartum Village.

Why it matters

  • Benson, who has a background in social work, decided she could do something to help families adjust to having a new baby in the house. She started working as a doula part-time in 2021, which later evolved into running her own business, Our Postpartum Village, full-time earlier this year.
  • Our Postpartum Village helps families plan ahead of time what their support system will look like before the baby arrives. Benson not only helps moms, but she also looks at the entire family unit and helps them build systems to make sure everyone is cared for.
  • In addition, Benson has compiled a comprehensive resource guide for families to find community resources like helplines, support groups, specialists and more. She's also working to help more women understand "matrescence" or the developmental stage of becoming a mother.
"Having a village is so much more than what someone may think," Benson said. "Our Postpartum Village is helping to change the culture of, 'I can do it all by myself,' because just because you can doesn't mean you have to – and your health is going to feel that."

Tell me more

Our Postpartum Village services include postpartum coaching, postpartum doula support, a resource guide, and, new this year, an Our Matrescence Retreat to help moms within the first five years of having children.

For Benson, all of these services come from the recognition that there's a gap in social support networks for new parents.

"That village that was supposed to be there is now all working, and so they're not there – not for lack of wanting to help, but for lack of ability," Benson said.

As a postpartum doula, Benson's goal is to connect parents to resources, supporting the entire family and doing whatever tasks help the family run smoothly.

  • That might mean cutting up fruits and veggies so the family has healthy snacks available. Or holding the baby so mom can take a shower, or providing a mother with information on physical recovery and healing post-birth.
  • She's also looking out to ensure mom is taking care of her mental health.
"With my background in social work and working with families, I know how much impact mom's mental health has on the whole family," she said.

Tell me more about the Our Matrescence Retreat

The inaugural Our Matrescence Retreat will take place Sept. 27-29 at Newton Hills State Park, and it's geared toward women who are 2-5 years postpartum.

Attendees will get to participate in:

  • yoga,
  • meditation,
  • campfire chats,
  • hiking,
  • reiki,
  • journaling,
  • and more.

Meals, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are provided, and pricing varies depending on your preferred sleeping arrangement. You can reserve your spot here.

How can I get started working with Our Postpartum Village?

You can learn more on the Our Postpartum Village website.