Building Your Village: Maternal Care Resources We Love on Long Island
At Chiyo, we know that mothers deserve care above and beyond.
Through our Moms Off Duty event series, we've had the opportunity to connect with incredible communities across the country, and one thing has become clear: when mothers are supported, families thrive.
To continue celebrating the people doing that work every day, we partnered with The Nesting Place on Long Island to highlight some of the practitioners and care providers helping families navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood across the region.
Why Maternal Care on Long Island Feels Different
"Long Island is plentiful when it comes to resources and providers to support parents in pregnancy and postpartum, and beyond," shares Dr. Natalia Rappa, Director of Mental Health at The Nesting Place.
"There are so many amazing family-centered wellness professionals, both in and outside major healthcare systems, from doulas to pelvic floor physical therapists."
What makes the Long Island maternal wellness community especially unique is the breadth of options available to families. Whether you're seeking mental health support, lactation care, physical therapy, or holistic wellness services, there are providers with diverse specialties, backgrounds, and approaches to care.
"Families have many options when it comes to choosing their care team, and the variety of providers truly mirrors the variety of individuals who live on the Island."
That diversity means parents can build a support system that feels aligned with their values, goals, and unique family needs.
What to Look for When Building Your Care Team
When asked what advice she'd offer women seeking support, Dr. Rappa emphasized the importance of finding providers who feel like the right fit for you, not simply following someone else's recommendation.
"It is important to find care providers who align with your values and someone who has the experience and training to support your unique goals."
She adds that one of the most important considerations is whether a provider feels like a good fit for your family as a whole.
"It is important to ensure you are choosing providers because they feel like a good fit for you and your family—not because your friend used them."
Building a care team is deeply personal, and the right support can look different for every mother.
Maternal Wellness Resources on Long Island
Mental Health Support
Therapy & CounselingÂ
The Nesting Place has become a trusted destination for families seeking comprehensive support throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. Their team offers a wide range of services designed to support the emotional, physical, and practical realities of growing a family.
Dr. Natalia Rappa leads the organization's mental health services, helping parents access specialized support during some of life's biggest transitions.
Psychiatry
Maternal mental health is a critical part of overall wellbeing, and Michele Salz of Willow Psychiatric specializes in helping women navigate the emotional complexities of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner with expertise in maternal mental health, Michele provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual's needs.
Physical Support
Lotus Physical Therapy of Long Island
Pelvic Floor PT, Birth Preparation, Postpartum RecoveryÂ
Pelvic floor health plays an important role throughout pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and beyond. Rachelle Bojer and the team at Lotus Physical Therapy of Long Island provide specialized pelvic floor physical therapy services across multiple Long Island locations.
Their work helps women address pain, strengthen core function, prepare for birth, and recover with confidence after delivery.
Lactation Support
Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding, Occupational Therapy
Feeding a newborn often comes with questions, challenges, and a learning curve. Bella Rochford of Nurturing LIFT provides expert lactation support to help families feel informed and empowered throughout their feeding journey.
With services available through The Nesting Place's Merrick location, families can access personalized guidance and support during the critical early postpartum months.
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A Final Word for Long Island Moms
From Dr. Natalia Rappa:
"Don't go without community support. Don't rely solely on your primary care provider to meet all of your needs. You live in a place that offers so much—tap into the resources."
She notes that one of the most common things she hears from mothers is:
"I wish I knew about you sooner."
"Parenthood is hard, and you deserve a village to help you through it."
At Chiyo, we're grateful to be part of communities like Long Island that continue to demonstrate the power of connected, collaborative care. Whether you're trying to conceive, navigating pregnancy, recovering postpartum, or raising children years later, support exists, and you don't have to do it alone.
Looking for more resources to support your motherhood journey? Explore our growing collection of maternal wellness stories, expert guidance, and community recommendations designed to nourish mothers through every stage.
