From Fertility to Postpartum: How Community Care Transforms the Journey
Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum can be life’s most transformative seasons, yet parent-to-be are often left to navigate a maze of practitioners, from doctors and doulas to acupuncturists and therapists, without a clear sense of how these pieces fit together. What if families could build their support team by accessing a network of vetted experts committed to compassionate collaboration?
This week at Health Youniversity, we sat down with Sally Hayes, founder of Matrikas and an expert in prenatal and postpartum care. Drawing on her experience with thousands of families, she shares how collaboration among providers creates better fertility outcomes, smoother pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and stronger emotional support. Her insights give families the tools to feel confident, cared for, and connected through every stage of reproductive health.
Modern Isolation in Reproductive Care
For many families, the journey through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum is marked by isolation. In past generations, close-knit communities, extended families, and shared traditions offered natural guidance and emotional support. Today, these traditional systems have largely faded, leaving parents to navigate some of life’s most vulnerable moments alone.
This disconnection has both emotional and practical consequences. Many parents feel unsupported when making decisions about providers, treatments, or recovery options. Online advice often feels overwhelming and conflicting, adding to stress. Recognizing this gap is the first step toward rebuilding a strong “village” of support — one that restores collaboration, confidence, and compassion in the reproductive journey.
Building Your Support Village
A “support village” is more than a list of practitioners; it’s a trusted network that nurtures and guides families through every stage from fertility to postpartum. This network might include a midwife, doula, fertility specialist, acupuncturist, or therapist who shares your values and understands your needs.
When you have this type of team in place, transitions between stages become smoother. Emotional reassurance reduces anxiety, while coordinated care leads to better outcomes and faster recovery. With the right people by your side, you can approach decisions with confidence and feel less alone during this transformative journey.
Here are practical ways to get started:
Seek trusted recommendations: Ask your OB, midwife, or doula for referrals to reliable specialists, such as fertility acupuncturists or postpartum therapists. Or, better yet, contact Matrikas! https://www.wearematrikas.com/
Choose collaborative providers: Look for professionals who openly communicate and work as part of a team.
Engage with local communities: Prenatal classes, support groups, or wellness events are excellent ways to meet like-minded practitioners.
Keep it simple: A small, connected team of two or three trusted experts is often more effective than juggling a long list of names.
Prioritize heart-centered care: Seek professionals who truly listen, understand your story, and provide both emotional and practical support.
These steps help families create a strong, reliable circle of care that reduces overwhelm and builds confidence.
The Power of Collaboration
Your support village is strongest when providers collaborate. Reproductive health involves physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and no single provider can address all of it. When OB-GYNs, doulas, acupuncturists, pelvic floor therapists, and other specialists work together, families experience care that feels seamless and comprehensive.
This cross-disciplinary approach improves fertility outcomes, leads to more positive birth experiences, and supports faster postpartum recovery. For families, this means fewer gaps in care, less confusion, and a deeper sense of trust in the team guiding them.
The Matrikas Model
Sally Hayes’ work with Matrikas is a clear example of how collaboration transforms care. Matrikas is designed as a network where providers from OB-GYNs and midwives to pelvic floor therapists, doulas, and mental health professionals share expertise and build trust with one another.
For families, this means they’re no longer left to piece together fragmented advice. Instead, they gain access to a vetted, heart-centered community of practitioners who understand every stage of the journey — from preconception planning to postpartum healing. Even if you’re not local to Matrikas, this model offers inspiration: seek providers who value collaboration and can refer you to other trusted experts when needed.
This approach ensures that every recommendation and intervention is aligned with your long-term health and well-being, helping you feel cared for and supported every step of the way.
Connecting Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum
Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery are deeply interconnected. Challenges in one stage often affect the others, yet they are frequently treated as separate experiences. Families who approach these stages as part of a continuous journey can better anticipate needs and address issues proactively.
For example, secondary infertility is common after a first birth but is often overlooked until it becomes a challenge. Similarly, postpartum recovery improves when support systems are already in place that understand the full reproductive cycle. Proactive, integrated care not only enhances immediate outcomes but also strengthens long-term health and emotional resilience.
Access Beyond Borders
Geography should never determine the quality of care. Families in rural or underserved areas often face limited access to reproductive health specialists, but virtual care is bridging that gap.
From online consultations with fertility experts or DIY course offerings such as Your Fertile Health at Health Youniversity (https://healthyouniversity.co/programs), to virtual pelvic floor therapy and prenatal classes, technology now connects families with experienced providers no matter where they live. This shift ensures that compassionate, expert-driven care is within reach for every family, regardless of location.
Check out all of our episodes on the following platforms:
Know the status of your fertility health. Take our FREE Fertility Quiz now: http://yourfertilityquiz.com/
Fulfill your dream of a family. Know your best options for a healthy pregnancy: https://www.healthyouniversity.co/programs
Boost Employee Productivity by Investing in their Fertility Health. Check out our Corporate Wellness program and know the benefits it can bring to your company: https://www.healthyouniversity.co/corporate-wellness
Sally Hayes is a maternal health advocate and founder of Matrikas, a collaborative network dedicated to connecting families with compassionate, integrative reproductive care. Drawing from 25 years as a prenatal and postpartum massage therapist, she champions a community-driven approach that fosters trust, cross-disciplinary support, and continuity of care through every stage of fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.
Website: https://www.wearematrikas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we.are.matrikas/
Medical Disclaimer:
By listening to the Health Youniversity podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition for yourself or others. Consult your healthcare provider for any medical issues you may have. This entire disclaimer also pertains to any guests or contributors to any Health Youniversity podcast.
