071: Big paid leave news overseas, Brittany Mahomes goes out 6 days postpartum, 5 books to preorder
Plus: The new science of menopause, a backyard MVP & 3 Substacks we’re loving
Welcome to Two Truths, a bestselling newsletter & media brand exploring the many truths of motherhood from journalists & maternal health advocates Cassie Shortsleeve of Dear Sunday Motherhood & Kelsey Haywood Lucas of Motherspeak. Two Truths is rooted in the healing & affirming principle that two (or more) things can be true. It’s a Substack best-seller; a “best parenting Substack” per Motherly; The Skimm says you should subscribe; and you’ll also spot it in publications like Vox, The Bump, Popsugar & more.
I love preordering books.
Have you ever heard the term breadcrumbs of joy? Or maybe glimmers? Or, if you follow me on Instagram, have you seen my posts about micro-joys? Whatever you want to call them, the through-line is in noticing (and creating) more small moments of joy, gratitude, and delight.
Every time I preorder a book, I think of it as leaving myself a little “joy breadcrumb” for myself to find: When it unexpectedly shows up on my doorstep months (or even just days) later, it’s like a little surprise treat from past me to present me.
I’m also a big preorder person because it’s such an impactful way to support my favorite artists, writers, and creators. Did you know that pre-sales have a critical influence on the overall success of a title? These figures determine how many copies booksellers will purchase and greatly impact best-seller lists. (Library requests help, too.)
In this issue of Two Truths, we have five books to pre-order — plus a few new Substacks we’re loving from fellow journalists, the backyard hero that’s keeping our kids happy on snow days, and (of course) a round-up of news you may have missed.
This week’s edition of Two Truths is free for all subscribers. Many other issues are exclusive to our paid subscribers, who help make this newsletter possible. If you value this newsletter and wish to support independent journalism that centers maternal health, click here to upgrade your subscription for just $5 per month or $50 per year. Your upgraded subscription will include timely, exclusive issues, special giveaways and discount codes, and more.
—Kelsey
A few headlines you may have missed in motherhood, maternal health, media & beyond
Scarlett Johansson reacts to Brittany Mahomes going out 6 days postpartum: ‘I was staring into the abyss’
“‘The Avengers’ star, who spent the morning of Jan. 21 in Studio 1A as a guest co-host on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends,” seemed surprised that Mahomes felt well enough to get out of bed.” [TODAY]
A less brutal alternative to IVF
“It’s called in vitro maturation, or IVM. Whereas IVF relies on hormone injections to ripen a crop of eggs inside the body, IVM involves collecting immature eggs from the ovaries and maturing them in the lab.” [The Atlantic]
All federal grants and loan disbursement paused by White House
“The White House budget office has ordered a pause on all federal grants and loans, according to an internal memorandum sent Monday, potentially impacting trillions in government spending and halting public programs that affect millions of Americans.” [CNN]
A new study found that U.S. infant mortality rates overall are dropping, but that rates of sudden unexpected infant death may have increased in recent years.
“Rates of sudden unexpected infant death in the United States increased by nearly 12 percent from 2020 to 2022, according to new research published on Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. Though the study offered some good news — overall infant mortality rates dropped by 24 percent from 1999 to 2022 — it also raised questions about why more babies appear to be dying during sleep, and why rates of sleep-related death remain notably higher among Black, Native American and Pacific Islander babies than among white and Asian infants.” [The New York Times — gift link]
Kansas public health officials report that the state is dealing with the largest documented outbreak of tuberculosis in the U.S. since the 1950s, when the CDC started monitoring cases.
Senators are trying — again — to make air travel easier for breastfeeding parents
“The BABES Enhancement Act, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, would require the TSA to set clear guidance ensuring hygienic handling of breast milk and breastfeeding supplies.” [The 19th]
Trump bans funding for groups that aid abortion overseas, will enforce Hyde Amendment
“President Trump signed an order Friday reinstating a policy that requires foreign nongovernmental agencies to certify that they don’t provide or promote abortion if they receive U.S. federal funds for family planning assistance. The position, sometimes called the Mexico City Policy and referred to by opponents as the ‘global gag rule,’ was first introduced more than 40 years ago. Every Republican president has put it in effect, and every Democrat has rescinded it.” [CBS News]
The new science of menopause: These emerging therapies could change women’s health
“Researchers are exploring how to prolong ovarian life and revisiting hormone replacement therapy — a once routine treatment that has fallen out of favour.” [Nature]
Single parents should get as much paid leave as couples, Spanish court rules
“Single parents in Spain can request the same total amount of paid parental leave that couples are entitled to, a regional court has ruled, in a case that could be a game changer for the large number of one-parent families in the country.” [The New York Times — gift link]
Al Roker's new animated series ‘Weather Hunters’ is coming to PBS Kids this summer to get your kids excited about the weather
Women belong in space — but should avoid pregnancy, for now
“Dr. Steller, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist and space enthusiast who has worked with government and commercial entities, studies the effects of spaceflight on women’s reproductive health. He believes strongly in the importance of including women in space exploration, citing numerous advantages, and dismissing some often-cited obstacles.” [Forbes]
Celtic women held sway in ‘matrilocal’ societies
“An ancient cemetery reveals a Celtic tribe that lived in England 2,000 years ago and that was organized around maternal lineages, according to a DNA analysis.” [The New York Times — gift link]
So. Many. Books. To. Pre-order!
Just a few reads on my radar right now…
In Mama Needs a Minute!: A Candid, Funny, All-Too-Relatable Comic Memoir about Surviving Motherhood (out March 11), illustrator Mary Catherine Starr (who you probably know as “MomLifeComics” on IG) “captures the chaos, joy, exhaustion, guilt, well-intentioned-but-clueless partners, and infinite loads of laundry that come with being a mom.”
Riley Sheehey’s Modern Motherhood: Celebrating Moments of Love and Care (out March 25) is a collection of “art and musings that highlight the simple joys of caregiving.” I imagine it’ll be sweet and gifty.
If Loryn Brantz’s forthcoming collection Poems of Parenting (out April 8) sounds familiar, you’ve likely seen her wildly popular IG series of the same name. Brantz’s radically honest poems make me laugh, cry, remember, and reflect in all the best ways—and the book will serve as the “perfect companion on any parent’s journey through the uncertain terrain of raising cherished children in extraordinary times.”
In The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us (out May 6), journalist Ruthie Ackerman “blends history, science, and cultural criticism to uncover whether motherhood outside of society’s rigid rules and expectations is possible—and whether she fits the mold for what a mother should be.”
I often read Hannah Rosenberg’s poetry and think “same, girl, same,” so I found it very fitting that Same is the title of her debut collection (out October 21). It’s “a celebration of one thing we all have in common: a desire to be seen and understood” that touches on girlhood, marriage, motherhood and beyond.
—Kelsey
3 Substacks we always open
»BRAND NEW!« Best Case Scenario by journalist & author Liz Plosser
I’ve worked with Liz for years in her role as editor-in-chief of Women’s Health, and I’m looking forward to following her latest venture here on Substack. Best Case Scenario, she says, is “your wellness playbook for feeling a little better today than you did yesterday. I'm here to help.” —Cassie
After School by Casey Lewis, journalist & media strategist
The newsletter that will keep you clued in to what all the young kids are doing (and saying and buying and posting) with lots of focus on social media and shopping habits. “An examination of youth culture. Trend analysis and insights, 5x a week, with an emphasis on Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.” —K
Unpolished by Courtney Grow, shopping influencer
I don’t remember how I found Courtney’s Instagram account, full of shoppable gems (Zara and H&M finds or vintage classics, always with that cool but messy look), but when I saw she was on Substack, I immediately subscribed. She’s got discount codes galore, ideas for what to wear to fitness classes, and a perfect outfit for pretty much every moment possible. —C
The new snow day essential
It’s a playhouse — and it’s also a snow fort, a kitchen, a garden, a restaurant, and the overall MVP of outdoor play through all four seasons. Made by 2MamaBees (a mom-owned brand dedicated to purposeful play that specializes in high-quality playhouses, swing sets, play kitchens, Montessori bed frames, and more), the Oceano Playhouse is now available at Sam’s Club (look for it online and in select stores).
» Two Truths readers can also save 15% on everything at 2mamabees.com with our exclusive code, 2Truths.1
✨ Thanks for reading & thank you for supporting this work (done between naps, after bedtimes, and before school pickups). Hit the heart button to tell us you enjoyed this issue, share it on social media (don’t forget to tag @twotruthsmotherhood on IG), or forward it to a friend. We appreciate you. —Cassie and Kelsey
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Resources and Support For Maternal Mental Health
Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA or 1-833-852-6262) provides access to a trained counselor 24/7 and is available in Spanish and English
Postpartum Support International provides educational resources on PMADs, free support groups, webinars, advanced trainings for providers, and more
Postpartum Support International’s provider directory includes a list of thousands of trained professionals organized by state
The Motherhood Center offers counseling, support groups, and webinars
The Postpartum Stress Center offers educational resources, counseling, a referral list of trained providers, and advanced training for providers
SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL (PSI). PSI is a global champion for perinatal mental health that connects individuals and families to the resources and support needed to give them the strongest and healthiest start possible. Visit postpartum.net for information on perinatal mental health disorders, access to 30+ free, online support groups, an online provider directory, the PSI HelpLine, local support coordinators, a perinatal mental health discussion tool, specialized support resources, and more. Call the PSI HelpLine toll-free at 1-800-944-4773 for basic information, support, and resources. Support via text message is also available at 800-944-4773 (English) and 971-203-2773 (Español). Remember: You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
This content was created in partnership with 2MamaBees.