Pregnancy loss and stillbirth are among the most profound and life-altering experiences a person can endure. Yet many grieving parents will say that one of the hardest parts is not only the loss itself, but the grief they have to navigate alongside going back to normal life afterwards. Friends desperately want to help, but often feel unsure what to say or do, frightened of saying the wrong thing

When I was learning to become a balanit , one of the main messages that was woven through each session is that the women who come to the mikvah are people, each with their own story. As balaniot we rarely are privy to those stories: struggle with niddah/mikvah, a fight with her husband, a sick parent, infertility, stress at work—or anything else we carry with us throughout our day.

Kallot often ask me questions like:  “What should I daven for on my wedding day?” “How can I make my chuppah a truly spiritual experience?” These are beautiful questions that reflect how conscious today’s kallot are about filling their weddings with meaning and kedushah.

For many women, immersing in the mikveh is one of the most private and spiritual moments of the month, a time for reflection, renewal, and connection.  Yet, even in such a sacred space, it’s not only allowed but essential to advocate for your comfort and sense of dignity.

Balancing personal postpartum needs, the desire for physical support and the imposed lack of touch from one’s husband can be particularly challenging when dealing with the hormones and changes after birth.

Unlike the pill or an IUD, LAM requires you to stay aware of your body’s signals throughout the postpartum period. Just saying “I’m breastfeeding, so I can’t get pregnant” isn’t enough.