Because birth is only the beginning
After Birth helps expectant and new parents prepare for the emotional, physical and identity transition into parenthood through practical, evidence-informed education grounded in lived experience.
We prepare for birth.
But what about everything that comes after?
So much preparation for parenthood focuses on birth. Far less prepares us for the weeks and months that follow.
Early parenthood can bring sleep deprivation, physical recovery, feeding challenges, relationship strain, social isolation and a profound shift in identity. When the reality does not match expectations, it can be easy to believe you are the problem.
After Birth exists to change that. We provide honest, accessible and evidence-informed preparation for the postpartum transition, helping parents understand what they may experience, feel less alone when things are difficult and recognise when it may be time to seek additional support.
OUR MISSION
What After Birth is here to change.
After Birth is creating practical, evidence-informed ways to help parents understand and prepare for the realities of early parenthood.
From workshops and useful resources for expectant and new parents, to education for the people and professionals around them, everything we do is designed to make the postpartum transition better understood, easier to talk about and less isolating.
Our work will grow across education, resources, professional training and advocacy, with one goal at its heart: helping parents feel more prepared for what comes after birth.
OUR SERVICES
Practical support, education and expertise for parents, workplaces and organisations.
After Birth works across three areas, from helping parents better understand the postpartum transition to supporting organisations in building better systems.
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Understand what comes after birth.
Accessible, evidence-informed information for expectant and new parents and the people supporting them.
Explore resources on matrescence, postpartum biology, mental health and the realities of early parenthood.
Coming Soon -
Better support for the transition back to work.
Consultations and presentations for employers, People & Culture, HR and leadership teams exploring matrescence, parental leave and the realities of returning to work after having a baby.
Designed to help organisations better understand and support parents before, during and after parental leave.
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Design services with people, not just for them.
Advisory and co-design support for health services, government and organisations developing programs, policies or services for perinatal families.
Claire brings together professional peer-work training and lived experience to help organisations involve people meaningfully in the design process.
Need help now?
If you’re struggling with your mental health or need support, you don’t have to navigate it alone. These organisations provide specialist information and support.
PANDA National Helpline — 1300 726 306
ForWhen — 1300 24 23 22
Gidget Foundation Australia — Perinatal mental health support
Lifeline — 13 11 14
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
OUR VALUES
Built on evidence.
Grounded in lived experience.
Evidence-informed
Lived experience
We take the science seriously. Our approach is grounded in research, professional knowledge and an evolving understanding of matrescence and postpartum biology.
Real experience brings context, empathy and trust. Lived experience belongs alongside professional knowledge, not beneath it.
Useful information should be understandable, relatable and available before someone reaches crisis point.
We make information clear, human and easy to access. We support informed choices without shame or judgement.
Non-judgemental
Human & accessible
FOUNDER OF AFTER BIRTH
Photo by Tess Donohue
Meet Claire
After Birth was founded by Claire Wootton, a mum of three and qualified perinatal peer worker with experience across psychiatric inpatient and community health settings.
Claire’s work is shaped by both professional practice and her own experience of postnatal depression and anxiety after becoming a mother for the first time. She understands firsthand how different the reality of early motherhood can be from what we are prepared for.
Today, Claire supports parents and infants navigating significant mental health challenges, trauma and other pressures affecting the caregiver-child relationship. She is also a trained Circle of Security facilitator and Marte Meo practitioner.
After Birth brings these experiences together with research into matrescence and postpartum biology to help create a more informed, honest and supportive transition into motherhood.
Let’s change how we prepare for parenthood.
From reactive crisis response to proactive preparation.
After Birth is creating practical, evidence-informed ways to help parents understand and prepare for the realities of early parenthood.
From workshops and useful resources for expectant and new parents, to education for the people and professionals around them, everything we do is designed to make the postpartum transition better understood, easier to talk about and less isolating.
Our work will grow across education, resources, professional training and advocacy, with one goal at its heart: helping parents feel more prepared for what comes after birth.
