momstown: A Prescription for Mother's Health

This is amazing news to share.  Not just because I am the owner of a momstown chapter, but because helping women feel supported and empowered through motherhood is essential. I hope that this information leads more moms to momstown so that they don't just survive but thrive in motherhood.


The University of Waterloo conducted an independent study on momstown and found the following key findings.

1. momstown is a community builder
2. momstown facilitates matchmaking.  Mamas need help making friends too.
3. momstown provides needed support beyond the 1st baby shower. Second and third time moms are at a greater risk of isolation and postpartum depression.
4. momstown provides mental health support

Wow.  The first point is not that surprising, but the other three are key in understanding how momstown is more than moms just getting together. momstown's unique blend of online and in person interaction is key to providing the type of support that moms need.

FACT:  momstown improves mothers' mental health.

“momstown.ca had a significant impact on the mothers’ mental health, thereby suggesting women should receive “a prescription for friendship and fun” when they become mothers. The current research suggests social and community-based treatments for women with post-partum depression.”

FACT:  moms at risk of postpartum depression need peer to peer support

“20% of the (momstown members) women discussed formal diagnosis of PPD, while many others discussed self-diagnosis and negative emotions throughout the early experiences of motherhood. While a number of the women in the current study sought out professional help, they did not want to medicate nor did they “want to sit in a room with other mothers complaining about PPD.” Rather, they recognized the need for peer support from other moms in a similar situation.”

Both of those quotes are from the study, Cyber Mummies, Healthy Mummies: The Roles of Online Social Networking Sites in Mothers’ Health by Diana Parry, PhD, Caitlin Mulcahy and Troy Glover, PhD - University of Waterloo.

Once the study was complete, the researchers admitted to being surprised by what they found.  "We did not anticipate the responses being so overwhelmingly positive.  Previous research had indicated mothers groups could be sites for negative experiences for mothers, but participants in this study revealed very positive experiences with momstown.ca."  

We are working hard to get all this information out to moms everywhere! Thank you to the media who have helped us get the word out about how momstown can help.  Stay tuned for more links to media coverage.

Do you have story to share about how momstown has helped you?  We'd love to hear it!