Mom and Mind (Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C)

Postpartum psychosis is a topic we have highlighted on the podcast before, but the need for more information about this devastating condition always increases when it is mentioned in a tragic news story. There are so many questions and concerns when this condition turns up in the national spotlight because many people don’t understand what a mother might be going through as a result of postpartum psychosis. Regardless of the details around a specific situation, it is clear that factual information and education are needed more than ever around perinatal mental health. Join us for a closer look with today’s guest. **Trigger warning: I want to give a heads up that our discussion does include the topic of infanticide, so please determine for yourself if you are able to listen to this episode if this is a sensitive subject for you.  Michele Davidson is a fellow board member with me at Postpartum Support International; she has multiple degrees and has been a certified nurse-midwife for almost 30 years, delivering more than 1000 babies in her career. After her personal battle with postpartum psychosis, she became a PMHNP with a specialization and certification in perinatal mental health to help other families who are suffering from this disorder. Dr. Davidson served as an associate professor of nursing at George Mason University and helped develop the certificate in forensic nursing. She was also the coordinator of the Ph.D. program, during which time her research focused on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She co-developed the Davidson Conceptual Model of Prodromal Postpartum Psychosis Symptomatology, which has been used in reproductive psychiatry practice. She is the author of over 35 textbooks and 50 peer-reviewed articles, including the Nurse’s Guide to Women’s Mental Health, which was awarded the American Journal of Nursing Book Award, and Old’s Maternal Newborn Nursing, which is published in 12 languages. On the current PSI Board of Directors, she serves as the Infanticide Coordinator and was the previous PPP Coordinator for 12 years. She resides with her husband in coastal Virginia and has four children and is the owner and founder of Chesapeake Bay Psychiatry, which specializes in perinatal mental health and serves families in VA, MD, and CT.  Show Highlights: A basic explanation of postpartum psychosis (PPP), which is just one of the conditions under the umbrella of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (along with depression, anxiety, and OCD) What the main risk factors are for PPP Why PPP is different from postpartum depression and has a very different presentation What the most common symptoms are of PPP, most of which are auditory or visual What it might look/sound like if a loved one is battling PPP What the statistics show about people with PPP relating to suicide and infanticide How and when psychosis might occur, both during pregnancy or the postpartum The connection between PPP symptoms and continual lack of sleep What it might feel like to experience the beginning stages of PPP How PPP symptoms can wax and wane–and how this characteristic plays out in the legal system and the stigma of PPP How PPP played out in Michele’s life as evidence that it CAN happen to anyone, even without the common risk factors Why early intervention, perinatal specialists, and other support resources are vitally important Why it is important to not stop taking medications for mood and anxiety disorders Highlights of helpful resources for perinatal mental health Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day is May 5! Wear purple to show your support! Resources: Connect with Dr. Davidson: Website Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! I’d love to hear from you! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s guest shares her story of pregnancy losses and the resulting anxiety and depression that made the journey to parenthood very challenging. Join us to hear her inspiring story of healing and hope. Dorienna M. Alfred, Ph.D., PMH-C is a licensed psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional. She is the owner of Works of Faith Wellness and Consultation, LLC, a private practice centered on perinatal mental health services in Columbus, Ohio. Through the practice, she provides individual therapy, workshops, and continuing education that promote health equity for those at the highest risk for complications during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Alfred is the author of the book, Pregnant with Promise: A Spiritual Journey of Pregnancy, Bed Rest, and Childbirth, which is a memoir of her journey with loss and pregnancy complications. She has been a guest blogger for Pregnancy After Loss Support and has been a guest on the Sisters in Loss Podcast. She is particularly interested in supporting parents with pregnancy complications and pregnancy loss, and is completing a certification to become a birth and bereavement doula. She has co-authored various publications and refereed workshops on topics related to women’s health, racial identity, social justice, and cultural competence. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and sons, reading novels, scrapbooking, and Zumba. Show Highlights: How Dorienna came into the field of perinatal mental health through two early pregnancy losses The devastating experience of having to deliver the second loss and the resulting anxiety and trauma How Dorianna’s successful pregnancy with her son was joyful but difficult with 14 weeks of bed rest Why Dorienna compiled her book from journal entries of her experiences How the landscape of mental health would change if there were more education and training for therapists in perinatal mental health How Dorienna, even as a psychologist, didn’t receive mental health support through her losses and while on bed rest The need to talk about and educate people about how pregnancy loss can impact future pregnancies and parenting How stress and trauma can result from perceived racism and lack of acknowledgement The importance of giving space to talk about pent-up emotions The benefits of having a doula--and even a postpartum doula for the 4th trimester and beyond The value of therapy in learning new coping skills and knowing you aren’t on your journey alone Final words from Dorienna: “Don’t be afraid to take the risk and find a therapist that works best for you and is a good fit. Therapy can be very beneficial to find the support system you need.” Resources:  Works of Faith  @doriennamalfred instagram Find Dorienna’s book on Amazon: Pregnant with Promise: A Spiritual Journey of Pregnancy, Bed Rest, and Childbirth

Have you thought about--or personally experienced--the stigma surrounding single moms? We all know that the road can be tough for these women, but what support is available? Today’s show features someone who has been there, caught in the swirl of shame, doubt, and fear as she struggled to go through pregnancy and single motherhood. She’s turned the narrative on its head and spreads an empowering message to women who are fearfully stuck in relationships that aren’t healthy and nurturing. There is hope for you, Single Mom!   Jaren Soloff is a women’s health practitioner based in San Diego who became a single teen mom after enduring an abusive relationship. As a young, single mother of her daughter, now 7, Jaren is passionate about creating a new narrative for moms to find their voices and connect to themselves. Jaren has the unique experience of raising a child while navigating college, career, and parenting. She hopes to share her journey of single parenting to empower others on their journey. Jaren is a registered dietitian and lactation educator, and the founder and owner of Empowered RD, Nutrition+Lactation, a private practice dedicated to empowering women through their reproductive years, from preconception to postpartum. Jaren shares her perspective on changing the narrative and the language we use around single motherhood.   Show Highlights:   Jaren’s unplanned pregnancy while in college--and the on/off abusive relationship with the father of her child The shaming reactions and conversations from her family, filled with criticism and judgment How her partner felt about the pregnancy and manifested his power and manipulation Jaren’s next steps: how she left school, moved back home, and braced herself to face motherhood alone How she knew the relationship would have to end for the safety of herself and her child How her mom and her conservative religious background affected her during her pregnancy How Jaren felt about herself and her mental state during this time The chaotic postpartum period and how she returned to school just five weeks after giving birth The helpful support Jaren found in her doula What she really needed was partner support and community with other moms The validation she felt when there was a label put to what she was going through How Jaren finished school when her daughter was four--and then got her nutrition credential Her great job at a university, with good psychological and social support Why resilience was one strength that helped Jaren survive Why we need better support for single moms How Jaren helps support single moms today with her passion and sense of responsibility to serve them and women who are breastfeeding and facing other feeding challenges How we can create a different narrative by eliminating the stigma and shame around single motherhood: Help them form their own identity and interests Teach them to prioritize self-care Help them be unafraid to do well and thrive   Resources:   www.empoweredrd.com   Find Jaren on Instagram: @empoweredrd  Facebook: Empowered RD, Nutrition+Lactation

Laura Fry is a wife and mother to 3 amazing kids. She is a former health care professional, turned stay at home mom after the birth of her first son. During that birth she suffered a 4th degree perineal tear and in January 2015 created a Facebook support group for others who have also sustained 4th degree tearing in childbirth. The group has grown to 1,200 members from all over the world, representing 6 continents and 33 countries. Laura is now using the knowledge she has gained from that support group to raise awareness of severe tearing and advocate for better care by using social media and speaking at conferences. Please share your story - How do you think this impacted your mental wellness - Looking back, what do you think you needed at the time. What could have supported you better? - How can health and mental health care providers do better? - Hopeful messages for moms and families out there - Share a bit about your work now. Facebook support group - https://facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995 Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Mothers-with-4th-Degree-Tears-1548538518602609/ Instagram - @motherswith4thdegreetears Twitter - @MothersWith4DTs Blog - https://motherswith4thdegreetears.wordpress.com/

Today’s show is about an important topic that isn’t talked about very often. We’ve all heard of morning sickness, but there is a much more severe condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. It brings all-day nausea and vomiting and can result in significant physical and emotional effects. Lauren Harris is a married mother of three kids who lives in western Massachusetts. She’s a licensed mental health counselor who owns the Center for Perinatal Wellness. Lauren is also the Western Massachusetts Regional Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. In today’s show, Lauren shares her story of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) through three separate pregnancies. We’ll hear how she learned of her condition and dealt with for a very long time with little support. Lauren also shares about her struggles with postpartum anxiety, along with how her experiences propelled her into the field of perinatal mental health. Show Highlights: Lauren’s story of her surprise pregnancy at age 22 with her daughter, Natalie, now 13 At eight weeks, Lauren was hit with incredible nausea that kept her vomiting up to 12 times each day; she was unable to keep food/liquids down, but was told it was “normal.” There were four separate times that Lauren was hospitalized for IV fluids due to dehydration; she lost 40 pounds during the first 20 weeks of her pregnancy. She was frustrated that no one took her seriously, and she couldn’t work or function each day, which put a financial strain on their family. Late in her pregnancy, she was prescribed Zofran, which was the only thing that would help. Her parents helped pay the out-of-pocket cost at $90 per pill; Lauren had to take three pills daily for several weeks. What it felt like to be told that her extreme sickness was “normal” Why Lauren had the conversation with her mother about terminating her pregnancy How HG affected Lauren’s work as a mental health counselor How Lauren met the emotional challenges to keep going day by day After a 23-hour induction, her perfectly healthy baby girl was born, weighing 8 lbs. 11 oz. Why the birth was followed by a D & C because of a hemorrhage Four years later, Lauren was pregnant with her second child; she had similar nausea and vomiting but felt much more supported by her medical team With her third pregnancy, she took more care with rest and hydration but experienced much more postpartum anxiety The irony was that as the HG improved with each pregnancy, the anxiety issues became worse How Lauren coped by using therapy and medication Why Lauren was propelled into perinatal mental health work by her personal experiences Lauren’s practice has three clinicians now but is looking to expand soon because the need is so great What Lauren learned about HG and herself Resources: Email Lauren: lauren@laureneharris.com Lauren’s practice: www.cpw.care Find the Center for Perinatal Wellness on Facebook  

I’m excited to welcome back Dr. Daniel Singley back to the show. He joined me about seven years ago when we were a brand-new podcast, and he’s been busy doing meaningful work in the world around paternal mental health. Join us to learn more about why the mental health of fathers cannot be overlooked in perinatal care. Dr. Daniel Singley is a San Diego-based, board-certified psychologist and director of The Center for Men’s Excellence. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health with particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. He won the American Psychological Association’s 2017 Practitioner of the Year Award from the Division on Men and Masculinities. He is a past president of the APA’s Section on Positive Psychology and is the current president of the APA’s Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities and the President’s Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International. Dr. Singley conducts training and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness. He also founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc. nonprofit and the Padre Cadre social networking application, Just for Dads, to give fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants and their partners.  Show Highlights: How things have changed over the past seven years in paternal perinatal mental health–and why there is still much work to do Why it’s a systemic problem in our society that men can’t take time off when a new baby arrives How a dad’s mental health is affected in the reproductive period What the numbers show about the prevalence of perinatal mental health disorders in fathers How neurobiological shifts happen in fathers during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum How society’s message to fathers about being the emotional rock and provider for their family is a damaging one The impact on a new baby, kids, and the family system when a dad gets the mental health help he needs What perinatal mental health issues might look like in new dads An overview of Dr. Singley’s advanced PSI training, Foundations in Paternal Perinatal Mental Health (Find out more at www.postpartum.net.)  Resources: Connect with Dr. Singley: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There are many different reasons that bring people into therapy. I often find myself angered by how societal impacts and pressures continue to haunt new moms to the point of making them feel bad about themselves. They can feel stuck and wonder if their feelings are normal or okay. One of the top things that bothers me is when moms feel guilty for wanting time alone. Doesn’t everyone deserve time for themselves? Moms get pressured like no other parent/guardian about wanting to take time for themselves in a guilt-free way. Moms should be supported in getting a break when they need it! Join me for a closer look at this topic. Show Highlights: Sources of this specific kind of mom-guilt Myths around attachment parenting and other parenting styles Is complete selflessness always the best thing? The disservice we do to moms, kids, and partners when we expect a mom’s needs to be nonexistent The effects of this pressure and guilt on a mom’s mental health Wanting alone time does NOT mean you are selfish or that you don’t love your child. The kind of support and normalization moms need to be more present with their kids and have mental stability in a guilt-free life Ways moms judge themselves with internalized pressure, family pressure, and societal pressure The truth: Every mom should be supported in shame-free and guilt-free ways to confidently take the breaks they need.  Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s show is about the effects of sexual abuse on pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people. This topic may be difficult for some, even though we are not discussing specific details of sexual abuse events; please determine for yourself whether you are ready to listen to this episode or not. You can find all of our episodes available for you whenever you are ready at www.momandmind.com. If you are ready, join us to learn more in today’s episode! Deborah Flam is a reproductive therapist in New Jersey. She is also a volunteer support group facilitator and a NJ Support Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. She is on the board of PSI-NJ as the Community Outreach and Engagement Board Member. Her training is in perinatal mental health, infertility, birth trauma, perinatal/infant loss, and compassionate/bereavement care. Deborah also has specialized training on the impact of sexual abuse on childbearing individuals. She has volunteered for the Ocean County Sexual Response Team as a Confidential Sexual Assault Advocate and provided training for nursing and social work students on issues related to sexual abuse. In sharing her personal story, Deborah explains how her trauma history impacted her pregnancy and postpartum experience. She also shares how clinicians can help prepare sexual abuse survivors for their baby’s birth and how medical professionals can provide trauma-informed care.  Show Highlights: Deborah’s story of anxiety that began with her positive pregnancy test and escalated to depression–even though she was already seeing a therapist How she was in complete denial about her pregnancy, feeling like the baby was a parasite in her body How her labor began at 35 weeks in an unexpected way–and she didn’t feel anything and was eventually sent home How her 37-week appointment found her in labor again—and her son was born a few hours later How Deborah’s postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts plagued her after giving birth How she learned that the pregnancy and postpartum experience can feel terrible What the statistics say about the likelihood of women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime Why many sexual abuse survivors feel shame, fear, and fragility related to pregnancy and their medical care How the gender of the baby can trigger fears and strong emotions among survivors, along with the common medical practices related to pregnancy and birth How some survivors are triggered by fear and shame around bodily functions and bodily fluids during labor and delivery How even the sights, sounds, and smells of the hospital can be triggering for survivors Why nursing personnel should be attentive to the passive patient who seems calm and perfect, the patient who is completely dissociated from the experience, and the “difficult” patient Deborah’s tips for how medical providers and therapists can show up better for sexual abuse survivors in very simple “workarounds” How Deborah’s PMADs experience has led to beautiful healing Resources Connect with Deborah Website Resources mentioned in this episode and recommended by Deborah: RAINN Black Mamas Matter Alliance Time’s Up FORGE Anti-Violence Project The Network La Red Survivor Moms' Companion When Survivors Give Birth book by Penny Simkin It's OK That You're Not OK book by Megan Devine Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! I’d love to hear from you! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Having information and being empowered to make decisions are ways to protect mental health. Nothing is more disempowering than finding out later that you had choices of which you were unaware at the height of a mental health struggle. All of these concepts apply perfectly to birthing situations. One of the main reasons this podcast exists, along with the work of today’s guest is to spread information so that it’s accessible to EVERYONE. Join us to learn more! Dr. Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth®️ and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered. Previously, Dr. Dekker was an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full-time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth®️. She and Team EBB are committed to creating a world in which all families have access to safe, respectful, evidence-based, and empowering care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. EBB does this by boldly making the research evidence on childbirth freely and publicly accessible. Dr. Dekker is also the host of the  Evidence Based Birth®️ Podcast, which has over 5.5 million downloads! Show Highlights: The beginnings of EBB in 2012 The shift for Rebecca from her first birth to her second—-a clear change from disempowerment to empowerment The evidence around preventable cesarean births, vaginal births, and the mother’s wishes Rebecca’s advice for those who want to advocate or feel empowered: Choose a provider and birth setting with a low cesarean rate. (Leapfrog is a recommended resource for information.) Consider hiring a doula for added support. Learn what the evidence shows about induction, Pitocin, and preparing your body with proper sleep, food, and hydration. Assessing your provider for “continuity of care” Fact: Switching providers can help prevent birth trauma! Approaching your labor/delivery experience with a spirit of collaboration and teamwork How PTSD can impact the decisions of healthcare workers Rebecca’s tips for empowering yourself in the labor/delivery process, using the acronym BRAND [Ask, what are the benefits, risks, alternatives, (what happens if I do) nothing, and discuss (with your partner).] Hot tip for laboring moms: Ask for time to pray (Rebecca explains why this gives you time and space.) Components of a calm birthing environment for an empowered laboring mother What Rebecca wants our listeners to know Resources: Connect with Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Evidence Based Birth®️: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered, and the Evidence Based Birth®️ Podcast Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The idea of “not doing enough” comes up every week with moms in therapy who feel like they aren’t getting enough done on their to-do list, whether it’s an actual list or a mental list in their minds. Let’s explore this topic deeper. Show Highlights: The parenting to-do list increases exponentially as you become a new parent. We shouldn’t discount ALL the things new parents do on a daily basis. Pressure from within and without brings unrealistic expectations that a mom should do “all the things.” Irritability, agitation, frustration, and negative self-judgment lead to questions like, “What’s wrong with me?” Dealing with an overloaded and overwhelmed emotional state Compassionate reflection can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns. The importance of sleep (Sleep deprivation can get in the way of basic daily tasks.) Advice for anyone who is being hard on themselves Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

One aspect of postpartum depression and anxiety that doesn’t get much attention is the rage that comes along with these issues. People who experience this rage can feel overwhelmed and confused, and it can be a scary scenario. Today’s guest shares her story of how she came through postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage, and how she uses her healing process to help other moms today. Jen Gaskell is a quality professional who works full-time outside the home. She and her husband live near Milwaukee with their two daughters, ages 8 and 11. Jen used her writing and her blog to help navigate her journey through postpartum depression and anxiety. She was a former co-producer of Listen To Your Mother Milwaukee, where she was part of the inaugural Milwaukee cast telling her story of PPD. Jen has written for Postpartum Progress and was a member of their editorial team for three years. Jen was a Climb Out of the Darkness team leader for Milwaukee for four years. She helps lead a Facebook group of local moms who’ve been through postpartum mood disorders and recently became a PSI helpline volunteer. Show Highlights: How Jen struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of her youngest child When she didn’t know who or where to turn to, she turned to Google to research her symptoms How she knew she needed to see someone but was afraid of having her kids taken away How Jen found a therapist and was able to get help quickly The signs in the beginning that told Jen that something was wrong The pressure Jen put on herself because of gestational diabetes and the details of managing the risks How her anxiety turned to irritability during her pregnancy and then spiraled into rage in the postpartum The feelings of irritability and rage that Jen noticed The key indicators that something was wrong How Jen learned about her triggers and when to take a break The guilt Jen felt for needing a break from her kids The internal pressure to be “on top of things” all the time How Jen learned to cope, especially journaling and learning to give herself grace How hard struggling moms work not to let others know the truth of how they feel How Jen became comfortable in sharing her story to help others The importance of normalizing the therapy process and the steps to get better Jen’s hopeful message to other moms: “It’s not you. Those negative thoughts are not who you are. There is so much support available, so reach out. This is a common condition, and it’s treatable. It won’t be like this forever.” Resources: Tranquila Mama Twitter and Instagram: @jenrenpody Facebook: Tranquila Mama Blog Listen To Your Mother on YouTube

Today I’m speaking from the mind and heart about some topics that have been at the forefront of my thoughts regarding recent postpartum tragedies in the news and in our community. It’s a devastating reality every time mothers and babies are lost due to postpartum mental health issues--and we’ve got to do more to help.  Show Highlights:   The split that may occur between people who blame postpartum depression or psychosis and people who vilify the mothers who have done something terrible These tragedies highlight the severe lack of information and understanding about postpartum psychosis Why people who aren’t well shouldn’t be tasked to heal themselves alone  How we fail these moms multiple times during a very intense time of transformation in their lives How are these moms and their families getting help and finding community support? Why most of society is uneducated about how bad the postpartum mood disorders can get How our laws treat women through the legal process after a tragedy occurs What these women go through while in jail or a psych unit---do they get the help they need there? Why it’s a delicate balance between healthcare, legal, social services, housing, witnesses, neighbors, first responders, medical teams, hospitals, and more The road to recovery for families is a long process that could have been prevented in the first place Why information and resources need to be available to everyone Why we need to normalize postpartum mental health issues and show the reality, and not just put the “social media spin” on them Why it’s easy to feel hopeless about the situation--and how we are failing these mothers The hard part: the help doesn’t always get to the people who need it most How can we build a better safety net?   Resources:   Email me with your thoughts: info@momandmind.com   Get help and information at www.postpartum.net

Kristina Cowan shares her story and her book, When Postpartum Packs a Punch: Fighting Back and Finding Joy. (We discuss sensitive content for birth injury and complications.) May is maternal mental health awareness month and Mom & Mind is dedicated to highlighting the lived experience of moms, partners and families.  Kristina discusses her experience through a traumatic birth experience, a postpartum thyroid condition and her path to healing. She has written an amazing book that includes her experience, others stories of lived experience and great information from experts in the field. She wrote, “When Postpartum Packs a Punch” and we will learn a bit about that today. Kristina touches on: *Birth Trauma *Postpartum Depression *Medication for treatment *Postpartum onset of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis *Healing and recovery *The resources in her new book Connect with Kristina Here! Website: www.kristinacowan.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/cowankristina/ Twitter: @kristinacowan Instagram: kcowan8863 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinacowan/ Find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/When-Postpartum-Packs-Punch-Fighting/dp/1946665002 For this and all episodes of Mom & Mind, please find us at: www.momandmind.com Facebook: Mom & Mind Facebook Group: Mom & Mind Connection Twitter: @drkaeni Instagram: @momandmind For Sponsorship and Guest Inquiries, please email momandmind@gmail.com

Today’s show is a special episode with difficult and sensitive topics. We’ll be hearing about Nora and her story of postpartum psychosis and filicide. We have the honor of hearing from Nora’s mother, Kathryn Gahl. She will share from her perspective as a mother and what it’s been like to see what Nora has been through and continues to experience in her imprisonment after filicide. We’ll also hear from Dr. Brooke Laufer, a clinical psychologist who picked up on this case and has followed it closely. Nora has given her permission for us to have this conversation with Brooke and Kathryn about her case. The goal is to get information out in the public about postpartum psychosis, its detection, and treatment. Join us to hear the mother’s perspective, the clinical perspective, and what’s going on in Nora’s life right now. Nora’s mother, Kathryn Gahl, became a widely-published, multi-genre writer after a long career as a nurse manager. She is the mother of a daughter and a son, and in 2004, she lost her young grandson to filicide. Now, her bookshelves sag with letters from her imprisoned daughter, who is also a registered nurse. Kathryn believes in the transformative power of dance, dark chocolate, and red lipstick to help her get through life. Brooke Laufer has been a practicing psychologist since 2005. She began her clinical work in psychiatric wards with severely mentally ill patients and then worked in schools with adolescents and their families. She is currently in private practice doing psychoanalytic psychotherapy. After having her first child, Brooke had a disturbing postpartum OCD experience, which inspired her to begin researching, understanding, and specializing in the area of perinatal mental illness. She recently started working as an expert witness for women who have committed a crime in a postpartum episode. Brooke has two children of her own, along with a Golden Retriever and a loyal husband; they live, work, and play in Evanston, Illinois. Show Highlights: The overview of Nora’s story, from Kathryn Nora’s experience: suffocating her 14-month-old son, Leo, and then attempting suicide because of her postpartum psychosis Circumstances that contributed to Leo’s death Nora’s psychiatric diagnoses: major depressive disorder severe with paranoid ideation, excessive-compulsive personality disorder, and PTSD What these events were like for Kathryn How Kathryn’s writing and dancing have helped her cope with these horrifying events How Kathryn was surprised at the people evaporated from her life and those who stepped up to support and help her How Brooke got involved through corresponding with Nora because of a childhood connection Why Nora believed she deserved to suffer and be punished Altruistic filicide (defined as believing that bringing death to the child is better than if the child survives) is an apt label for Nora What it’s like to be in a state like Wisconsin, where a case like this gets very little support and legal consideration Why Nora made the decision to plead guilty The main issue is how poorly we treat mental health issues in our US legal system that is deeply flawed How other countries deal with mental health, motherhood, and postpartum psychosis How Kathryn dealt with this experience with only one bout of depression Why postpartum psychosis is an issue that shows the failure of our culture A message from Brooke: “We need to understand that motherhood is equally dark and light. We need to ask for good help when we need it.” Why family members need to speak up when a mom seems “off” A message from Kathryn: “Trust your hunch.” The dire need for more postpartum screening Resources: Dr. Brooke Laufer Kathryn Gahl Gahlstone Twitter: @kathryngahl  

Today’s episode features a different take on perinatal mental health conditions. It’s a fresh and more expansive perspective on the things that take place in families during the perinatal process. This episode is loaded with helpful information, and I hope you’ll join us to learn more! Rebecca Geshuri and Jessica Sorci are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists, and Perinatal Mental Health Certified. As co-founders of Family Tree Wellness in Silicon Valley, California, Rebecca and Jessica lead their one-of-a-kind IFS-informed group psychotherapy practice that provides counseling, education, and support for people who are in the family-building phase of life. They are wildly enthusiastic about creating trainings and supporting other therapists who want to deepen their knowledge and skill in using IFS and working in reproductive mental health. Most importantly, they are mothers on their own healing journeys who bring their own personal experiences with grief and growing, mixed with creative expression and spirituality to their work. Their goal is to heal the intergenerational burdens that are present in humanity. In this episode, Rebecca and Jessica share with us why perinatal mood and anxiety disorders need to be redefined, how IFS psychotherapy works in perinatal mental health, and why their practice offers training for therapists on the mother-centric approach to therapy.   Show Highlights: How Rebecca and Jessica came into this work with motherhood and the perinatal population What the mother-centric therapy approach includes and why IFS therapy hits the major pain points for new mothers A basic overview of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model, which recognizes and approaches the different parts of a person in a non-judgmental, respectful, curious, and compassionate manner How someone becomes the “identified patient” is and why this person might need therapy Why the new mother should be viewed as more of a hero who is revered rather than merely a sick or broken patient to be diagnosed How perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) should be redefined to acknowledge patriarchy and shame How IFS therapy and the mother-centric system focus on the shame and inner critic messages within a new mom to unburden her How Rebecca and Jessica look to address both the symptoms AND the shame  A look at mother-centric therapy as a contrast to our baby-centric culture How Family Tree Wellness is offering training and resources for other therapists–along with an upcoming book!   Resources: Connect with Rebecca and Jessica:  Website, Facebook, and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!  

Elly Taylor - Becoming Us Now there IS a training manual for becoming a family! We talk in depth about the stages and life changes that couples go through when they bring a baby into the relationship. It’s hard for a lot of expecting parents to know what they DON’T know. She says that we can prepare parents for the unknown and she has figured out how. Did you know that the transition to parenthood can take years? And Parents don't change at the same times? Elly Taylor tells us about her research and work supporting the transition to parenthood. We will talk about some of the misconceptions about becoming parents, what couples can do to prepare and grow together smoothly… while Becoming Us Elly Taylor is an Australian Relationship Counsellor, Parenthood Researcher and Writer. She began researching the transition into parenthood when she and her husband started experiencing stretch marks in their relationship at a time they thought they would be happier than ever. She discovered this was normal and was on a mission to find out why. Over 15 years, Elly researched the transition and was shocked to find that partners went through different stages as they adjusted to becoming parents. She wants the next generation of parents to be prepared for this. More from Elly Taylor: Elly will be speaking at the Northwest Area Childbirth Educators Forum Live level one training- NACEF in Portland Or, May 5th 2016 http://nacef.net/annual-conference-may-5-2017/ Book- Becoming Us: 8 steps to grow a family that thrives Becoming us facilitator training…bring the knowledge to your community Social media links: www.Ellytaylor.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EllyTaylorBecomingUs Twitter - @Becoming_Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellytaylor/    

My guest today is doing important work with perinatal mental health through psychodynamic and somatic therapy. There is a great need for this therapeutic modality to be available to people who need it and for more training to be accessible to care providers. Join us to learn more! Dr. Helena Vissing is a licensed psychologist certified in perinatal mental health as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. She is experienced as an adjunct faculty member and on the training committee of Maternal Mental Health NOW where she provides consultations and helps train providers. Helena has written a book on her biopsychosocial model for the treatment of trauma in the perinatal period published with Routledge and titled, Somatic Maternal Healing: Psychodynamic and Somatic Trauma Treatment for Perinatal Mental Health.  Show Highlights: Why the perinatal period is a time of the clashing of biology and culture because of the vast changes to the body and nervous system How Dr. Helena’s integrative treatment model combines somatic approaches with psychoanalytic tools How Dr. Helena explains the basics of somatic therapy (aka somatic psychology or body psychotherapy) How Dr. Helena explains the basics of psychodynamic therapy How Dr. Helena’s book addresses trauma in the perinatal period with a broader concept beyond just PTSD How the perinatal period is an opportunity for a parent to rework their relationships, along with their role and identity Important principles around nervous system regulation in the perinatal period Why sensory awareness is the starting point—and only happens when a person slows down How Dr. Helena explains “maternal body fullness” How trauma healing occurs when the tendency is avoidance Dr. Helena’s message of hope: “It is possible to heal. Healing is not easy and may take a while, but it is possible.” Resources: Connect with Dr. Helena Vissing: Website, Book,  and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Liz Brown shared her story of depression and anxiety during pregnancy, her struggle with finding the support she needed and trying to decide if she would take medication that had been prescribed for her. This is a story that a lot of mothers can relate to… Liz is a writer and former social worker specializing in emergency mental health. She holds an MSW from UCLA and was recently published on Vice.com for her memoir piece about pregnancy depression entitled: "What It's Like to Be Pregnant, Depressed, and Scared of Pills." Topics discussed: Pregnancy depression, pregnancy anxiety, medication, guilt, alarming article headlines “Internalized stigma of being pregnant and depressed” Check in soon to @thelizbrownshow on twitter to find more information about Liz’s upcoming blog on pregnancy mental health. http://www.vice.com/read/i-gave-birth-to-a-zoloft-baby  

The journey into motherhood can be filled with many challenges. The situation is worsened if one grew up with a difficult relationship with one or both parents. Such is the personal story you’ll hear in today’s show. Join us. Jaimi Martin came from a very difficult childhood with a mother who suffered from mental illness. Jaimi shares some of the dynamics that played out with her and her mother, carrying over to shape her own journey into motherhood. Jaimi discusses sensitive topics, like suicide, so use your discretion in listening. Since Jaimi is a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, she is able to give insight into how her early experiences have impacted her. Jaimi now lives in San Diego with her husband and sensitive four-your-old son. After a career devoted to children and adults with emotional needs, Jaimi changed gears after the birth of her son, since she found herself without support or knowledge about what she was experiencing. Once she learned about postpartum depression and anxiety, she became an advocate for women and now serves as a volunteer for Postpartum Support International. Last year, she became perinatal mental health certified and now works with mothers, supporting their growth and discovery through her private practice, Womanhood Counseling. Show Highlights: The basics of Jaimi’s childhood story: Raised by a single mom who also had a difficult and detached relationship with her own mother Jaimi’s mom’s childhood was filled with physical, emotional, and substance abuse Jaimi’s mom had children early, and CPS visits and interventions were frequent Jaimi grew up with many suicide attempts by her mom and an alcoholic stepdad; she was trained to not talk about the family’s dysfunction When Jaimi moved out at 18, her mom followed her and promised many times that she would change, but she never followed through Jaimi’s mom blamed Jaimi for all her troubles A therapist urged Jaimi to move far away to escape her mom, so she went to San Francisco and pursued a career in social work The call that told Jaimi her mother had been successful in her final suicide attempt How Jaimi suffered through the grief of her mom’s suicide, thinking that it was a game and that she would surely “show up” one day The sense of “relief” that Jaimi felt because her mom was gone, which prompted much shame and secrecy about her feelings How Jaimi worked through the grief process with a therapist but knew she didn’t want to ever become a mother When she met and married her husband at age 39, the doctor said she would probably never get pregnant without intervention The relief that Jaimi felt about not having kids, but her husband was left grieving the loss of fatherhood Ironically, Jaimi became pregnant the next month and felt wholly betrayed by her body because it did what she didn’t want it to do The birth of Jaimi’s son, along with intense fear and anxiety that he would never attach to her The additional fears of karma “catching up to her” for what she had done to other families as a CPS worker Jaimi’s postpartum crisis, when she lost weight and “didn’t feel OK” Jaimi’s terrifying experience with a postpartum therapist How Jaimi found the Mom & Mind podcast and the pieces fell into place to make sense of her attachment issues How Jaimi found help in books, podcasts, and moms’ support groups How Jaimi learned to give her son what he needs as a sensitive child How Jaimi made the shift from CPS work to her private practice Jaimi’s hopeful messages: “If you’ve gone through the suicide of a loved one, you are not alone. There is a community out there that understands. There is no shame when someone you love dies by suicide. Own your feelings and hold space for them.” Resources: Womanhood Counseling Facebook: Womanhood Counseling Instagram: Womanhood Counseling  

Elyse Springer, MFT Elyse shares vital info and awareness in this focused conversation on LGBTQ perinatal mental health. There are many many facets to cover, so in this chat, we start with some basics and dig a little deeper into these aspects:  -Elyse talks with us about LGBTQ fundamentals and how people identify themselves, sexuality, gender and attraction. -Perinatal mental health is not just "maternal" or "paternal", it's everybody. - LBGTQ parents having to "pass" in straight spaces and the stress that comes with that dynamic.  - Intrusiveness of questions from others to explain pregnancy, sexuality and gender related to pregnancy and postpartum. - Trauma related to the history of the person, coming out or other stressors as it can impact the carrier of the child. -Not enough research or studies into the factors that may contribute to postpartum mood disorders for LGBTQ.  -Lack of access to care, increased stigma, community inclusion, "fitting" into a category. -Touch on current politics and how that stress could impact making and having a family. - We touch on the intersection of LBGTQ and race There is so much more depth that we can cover and need to cover as you can see from our talk. I'm so glad to learn from my guests and I hope you are too. Please write in to momandmind@gmail.com to send me your thoughts on this and any other episodes of Mom & Mind.  Connect with Elyse: http://www.elysespringer.com/ Twitter: @espringermft Elyse Springer M.A., M.F.T. is a licensed marriage and family therapist focusing on perinatal mental health, anxiety and depression, death and loss, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and creative blocks. Elyse is training faculty and Governing Council for Maternal Mental Health Now, board member for 2020 Mom and past co-chair of the Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force.

Jessica Scales, LMFT How much do we really think about how a baby will impact or change the relationship that we have with our partner? Generally, not enough! This episode discusses that topic and how to be intenetional about life with a new baby! In this episode we will talk with Jessica Scales about how to help couples navigate the changes that new parenthood brings. It can be hard to know if you need that kind of support or not, most folks think they will be fine, but really, everyone can use this kind of support. Jessica Scales is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the greater Seattle area. She works with both individuals and couples to navigate life transitions with intention, specifically, couples transitioning from a childless couple to parenthood. She teaches a Life with Baby class to help couples identify and plan for common relational challenges couples face when becoming parents. www.nextleveltherapynw.com

Bebo Mia's Bianca and Natasha talk about what mothers deal with who are labeled as overweight. Have you ever been labeled as being overweight, plus size or obese during pregnancy? Has that lead to providers telling you what you are or are not able to do in pregnancy and birth? Has that lead you to feel badly about yourself or "less than"? How does that impact your mental wellness? Here's what we touch on: -Myths of what "overweight" mothers are capable of in birthing and assumptions about their health in pregnancy. -How the BMI labels women and their bodies. -Stressors of weight gain in pregnancy and weight loss in the postpartum period. -How some moms are losing there decision making power because of how they are being treated. -Self advocacy and how to talk to your providers. -Focusing on body positivity and informing mothers of their options. Connect with Bebo Mia Facebook & Instagram handles: @bebomiainc  Website: www.bebomia.com Only for Mom & Mind Listeners! Bebo Mia is offering 20% to you listeners off of all of their programs! use the code: MOMANDMIND Check out these links (affiliate) to see if these workshops help you: The doula training (next one begins Sept 28th) : https://jx201.isrefer.com/go/Doula/momandmind/The informational workshop for those who are thinking about doula work (on Sept 13th): https://jx201.isrefer.com/go/doulawebinar/momandmind/The sleep certification:  ​ https://jx201.isrefer.com/go/sleepybaby/momandmind/Bebo Mia Bebo Mia is a training & mentorship organization for women in the maternal health field, including pregnancy/birth professionals, childbirth educators & parenting specialists. They offer comprehensive skills, business support & community care through an innovative online structure that spans a global market.  A very different culture from both the patriarchal boardroom model & the female-centric multi-level marketing industry, bebo mia offers opportunities for women to work from home while making an income for themselves and their families. They develop inclusive, accessible trainings for women that provide the skills needed to grow & sustain a lucrative business. Bebo mia remains fiercely committed to their original mission that was developed in 2008: To connect women to their intrinsic value and power.

Parenting a child with disabilities brings a host of unexpected dynamics and challenges. No one knows the ins and outs of this journey better than a parent who has fought long and hard for her own children and used that knowledge to help others. Join us to hear more from Kelley! Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive-turned-author and advocate who draws on over a decade of parenting and advocacy experience. With an unmistakable depth of passion for this work, Kelley shares her journey with a focus on what mental health can look like through the different stages of being a parent of a child with disabilities and how she’s working to empower and support other parents. One way she offers support is through her book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. This book is a fantastic resource for parents to help navigate the systems to find the right support.  Show Highlights: The facts about the number of children born with disabilities The shock most parents feel when their child is diagnosed with a disability Shocking statistics: 66% of dads and 94% of moms of kids with disabilities WILL experience depression and/or anxiety Dealing with weird reactions from others about your disabled child Support, at its most basic, comes down to asking, “What do you need?” Why Kelley refuses to apologize to others for who her disabled son is and how he behaves Grieving what you “thought” life would be like and acknowledging that life with a disabled child is hard Kelley’s book premise in a nutshell: “Caregiving is a job. There is paperwork, planning, and systems you have to figure out. Here’s the information you need.” Kelley’s goal to support and empower other caregivers The importance of connecting with other parents Resources: Connect with Kelley Coleman: Website, Instagram, and book (Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports) Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Many times, the path to healing isn’t one specific thing but a combination of things, and journaling is certainly one beneficial activity in all kinds of healing processes. Today’s episode will be helpful to you if you are facing challenges and need a healthy way to process thoughts and feelings. Learn more with us in this episode! Allie Mirosevic is a wife, a mom of two, and an entrepreneur who lives in Los Angeles. She founded Bliss'd, a self-care brand aimed at helping fellow moms live more joyful and fulfilling lives through the power of journaling. After discovering her love of journaling in 2019 following her first challenging postpartum experience, her passion became helping other moms experience the transformative benefits of journaling through her easy-to-use gratitude and connection journals. Along with simple journaling tips, Allie joins us to share her journey through postpartum depression and how she treated the issues and found healing.  Show Highlights: Allie’s story: a native Chicagoan transplanted in LA, a BIG pivot in careers, the plunge into entrepreneurship, and a difficult postpartum experience that fully revealed her purpose and passion Allie’s postpartum challenges in 2019 with the birth of her son Finding support through medication, therapy, and journaling The big question when beginning to journal is, “What do I write?” Fact: The blissful newborn experience is NOT every mother’s reality. Allie’s experience as a new journaler: blank journal vs. guided journal? Navigating a journaling practice as a very busy mom (Start with 5 minutes to build new skills and habits.) Allie’s takeaway for listeners about the benefits of journaling Resources: Connect with Allie Mirosevic:  Website and Instagram Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Just as a broken bone or surgery takes time for the healing process, the recovery process in healing from a perinatal mental health condition takes time. The process isn’t linear at all but is filled with ups and downs, and it comes with short-term and long-term aspects of healing. Join me for a closer look in today’s episode. Show Highlights: Complicating factors that show up in the healing process have ramifications in life, relationships, and capacity to function. The healing journey does not come with a pre-set timeline. Even helpful medications take 4-6 weeks to reach their full efficacy. An increase in stress, a decrease in sleep, and other disruptions can bring back symptoms. Therapy requires a big-picture view to get through the very normal combination of good days and bad days. It’s okay to ask for help, even if you appear to be “recovered.” Support is key, whether it’s from a partner, family, friends, support group, etc. “Your healing process may mean you slow down and take breaks. Understand your capacity and give yourself grace and space.” Healing doesn’t come through ONE magic thing but is unique to each person and their needs.  Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Shame thrives in the dark. Sharing our story and having ourselves reflected out in the world releases that shame. Sometimes we feel relief right away. Sometimes it takes time.  Today I want to talk with you about what happens for you when you hear another person share their pregnancy, loss or postpartum story. I’m talking specifically to the people who are or have experienced a perinatal mood change like depression, anxiety, ptsd, bipolar or psychosis. Or a pregnancy loss. Or a situation similar to yours. What is your experience when you hear others talk about what they went through? What happens for you in your mind, body and soul? There seems to be such power in listening and being reflected out in the world. In fact, I know there is power in that because it was my experience too…. The hope of this podcast and platform is to offer some way that you are all reflected out in the world. There will be parts of your story that are reflected here in our discussions, maybe not in a single episode, but across several. If there are moms or dads listening who DO want to share here on the podcast, please reach out to me at momandmind@gmail.com  For some, This may not be the place you feel comfortable, so search for a place that you do. There are really great people doing work that may better reflect your needs. For this and all episodes of Mom & Mind, please find us at: www.momandmind.com Connect with us! Facebook: Mom & Mind Facebook Group: Mom & Mind Connection Twitter: @drkaeni Instagram: @momandmind For Sponsorship and Guest Inquiries, please email momandmind@gmail.com Dr. Kat meets with clients in her Claremont, CA office or Online with anyone in the state of California. If you're looking for help, please reach out drkaeni@gmail.com

Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for Women of Color – PMHAWOC Here are three powerhouse women who have come together to co-found a beautiful and needed organization focusing on perinatal mental health for women of color. This is what closing the gaps and supporting women of color, in a BIG way, looks like. Divya Kumar, Desiree Israel and Jabina Coleman are doing outstanding work. Please listen in, connect with PMHAWOC, learn about the work that's being done and what still needs to be done. Also, connect with each of the co-founders individually via their contact info listed below. In this episode, we all get to learn about these women and the amazing work that the organization is doing. Connect here: http://www.pmhawoc.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pmhawoc www.postpartum.net Divya B. Kumar ScM, CPD, CLC Divya is a South Asian American woman who holds a Masters in Public Health and is a certified lactation counselor. Her work connects postpartum support with public health by addressing unmet needs in the structure and delivery of perinatal support services. In 2013, she helped create a postpartum depression prevention pilot program in four community health centers in Massachusetts and currently provides comprehensive perinatal support at Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center. She is a Commissioner on the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression and also co-founded the Every Mother Project, an organization that provides training and support for women’s health professionals around addressing perinatal emotional complications. A writer and a truth-teller, Divya brings a fresh voice, compassion, and humor to her work with new families. She lives in Jamaica Plain, MA with her husband and two children. Connect with Divya: http://www.divyakumar.org/ Desiree Israel LGSW Through her own journey into motherhood, Desirée knows just how far compassion can go. With a foundation of authenticity, integrity and fully understanding the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Desirée works each day to assist women in their own journeys and understanding through motherhood, postpartum support and healing. As a licensed social worker, Usui Reiki II practitioner and perinatal psychotherapist in Baltimore, MD, and the owner of her private practice, Postpartum Recovery, Desirée assists women decipher the funk of motherhood through integrative and eclectic therapeutic modalities. When she's not tending to her two sons, Desiree is a volunteer for Postpartum Support International and board member for 2020 Mom Project. Connect with Desiree: Website: www.desireeisrael.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pprecovery Instagram: @pprecovery Twitter: @DLIsrael Jabina Coleman LSW, IBCLC She makes breastfeeding a habit and a hobby. Jabina, a mother of two, Licensed Social Worker and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant has dedicated more than a decade of her life to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Jabina focuses a lot of her work on educating women, families and the community to make informed decision about breastfeeding. She empowers women to trust their bodies throughout the perinatal period and provides guidance during the process. She specializes in perinatal mood disorders and helping women and families adjust to motherhood and parenting. Jabina lives in the Philadelphia, PA area. Connect with Jabina: http://lifehouseorg.weebly.com/

We have a very special episode today, as we’re hearing from two guests about their important work through Postpartum Support International that is based on their lived experiences through perinatal mental health conditions. They are working tirelessly to help others access the resources they could have used, and they share how community support and other types of healing have helped them. We hope many people can find encouragement and support through their advocacy efforts and their openness in sharing their stories. Join us to hear from Emily and Dani! Emily Jankowski Newton is a passionate perinatal mental health advocate and the Director of PSI’s Climb Out of the Darkness Program. This annual event is a community gathering for those who have experienced perinatal mental health conditions and their supporters. Through attending one of these events, Emily connected with other parents, found the help she needed, and saw the beginning of something incredible in her life. A combination of treatments, including talk therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes helped her recover from postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD. Emily works tirelessly today to raise awareness, build community, and connect folks worldwide to life-changing perinatal mental health resources.  Dani Giddens is a Perinatal Mental Health-Certified (PMH-C) advocate, a trained Group Peer Support (GPS) Leader in her community, and Assistant Director of PSI’s Climb Out of the Darkness Program. Hearing one person’s story on a podcast changed the trajectory of her life and was the catalyst to help her find a therapist and open up about her postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD. Most importantly, she realized she was not alone. Dani is one PNMH advocate with a microphone–and she’s not afraid to use it through the I AM ONE podcast.  Show Highlights: Highlights from Emily’s story: the difficult birth of her first baby, hard recovery, sadness and anxiety, a second baby two years later, and the realization of her postpartum anxiety and rage Highlights from Dani’s story: became a parent through frightening and unexpected events; felt rage, intrusive thoughts, and exhaustion; and was diagnosed years later with postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD Why we need to check in on new moms and ask about their emotional health How Emily found healing through blogging, therapy, being honest about her feelings, and attending her first Climb event How Dani found healing through a significant podcast moment when she realized that she, too, could share her experience to help others How Emily explored Climb Out of the Darkness, which she describes as the nexus of a support group, playdate, and summer camp How Dani became involved in the Climb to support a friend–and eventually became a co-leader Why a Climb event is a great place to discover and connect with healing resources  Details about Climb events and teams, which are now spreading internationally to Greece, Japan, and several African countries How you can get involved in a Climb, either in person or virtually Details about the I AM ONE podcast: how the idea was birthed and began in 2022, including the powerful intention behind the title Resources: To find out more, visit Climb Website (you can sign up through July 15 to lead a Climb in October or sign up to lead in June of next year), I AM ONE podcast, and PSI Website Instagram links: @psiclimbout, @iamonepodcast, and @postpartumsupportinternational Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

One of the main goals of this podcast is to empower and support people through sharing stories because we know that hearing the experiences of others can help us feel not so alone in our struggles. Today we meet two moms who host the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, where they “create community around storytelling.” Join us! Liz and Natalie describe their podcast as two average Midwest moms having conversations around birth stories. They laugh and cry with other moms while holding space and normalizing all the unknowns that cause people to pivot through the empowering journey of parenthood. In their podcast episodes, they emphasize the importance of sharing birth stories, hearing birth stories, and finding ways to heal.  Show Highlights: Get to know Liz and Natalie! Why birth stories empower people and let them know they are not alone Why this is a time when many people find freedom in sharing their experiences and not staying quiet anymore Common themes that keep coming up in birth stories The importance of a mother’s intuition Highlights of Natalie’s birth stories Why it’s okay to be open in sharing about medications and therapy Highlights of Liz’s birth experiences Why many moms don’t realize they have birth trauma until they share their birth story How Liz and Natalie see community, connection, and support happening through their podcast Why they are starting an online course to help more people Resources: Connect with Liz and Natalie: Podcast, Instagram, and Facebook Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Real and Personal Story from suffering to healing: Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, PTSD from Birth Trauma and OCD  *Sensitivity notice - difficult content* Amy Corn, Mom and Advocate, Is a mother of two and a survivor of postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD. She is actively working as a volunteer and advocate for maternal mental health in her community north of the Atlanta Georgia area. She's been working with her pediatrician to develop a postpartum assessment program where all mothers with children 12 months and younger will be assessed at each well visit. She recently organized a workshop where 18 therapists received training specifically in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Topics Discussed: Postpartum depression, Postpartum Support International, Postpartum Progress, coping skills, breathing, taking time for yourself- mommy time, Brook shields book: Down Came the Rain was helpful, screening at pediatrician’s offices, medication and recovery www.postpartum.net www.postpartumprogress.com  

Infertility affects many people all around us, and discussions about this topic are not happening enough. Whether a long path or a short one, every infertility journey is different with a million factors at play. I’m grateful that my guest today is sharing her story! Shatiera Amankrah is a licensed therapist specializing in infertility counseling, and she is certified in perinatal mental health. She is sharing her infertility journey and what she and her husband have been through, along with how she’s helping other professionals learn more about supporting families affected by infertility. Her private practice, Seeds of Hope LLC, provides a range of services, such as individual therapy, surrogacy screenings, donor egg and sperm screenings/consultations, workshops/training for professionals, clinical supervision, and consultation. Shatiera is licensed to practice in VA, GA, and Washington, DC, and has upcoming training sessions, both in-person (in the DC area on July 28) and virtual (on August 9 and September 8). Find out more at Seeds of Hope. Show Highlights: Shatiera’s story: grad school, marriage, and no progress in trying to conceive Multiple unsuccessful IUIs, an issue with her husband, and decreasing sperm counts–all pointing toward IVF as the only option Ups and downs in the IVF process: two unsuccessful attempts and then—Shatiera’s first-ever pregnancy with her daughter, now 8 The dilemma Shateira and her husband faced with their one remaining embryo Another IVF transfer, and—their son, now 5, was the happy result The emotional side of infertility from Shatiera’s struggle to become a parent and her current work as an advocate for others Blaming yourself and listening to the “outside noise” just adds to the pain of infertility The stigma men feel about male factor infertility The importance of setting boundaries to guard against others’ advice and opinions Infertility—--silent suffering Shatiera’s experience of pregnancy and postpartum after infertility–and the anxiety and emotional pain that came Shatiera’s path to a career in perinatal mental health What training to pursue to become a perinatal therapist Shatiera’s advice to anyone on the infertility journey Resources: Connect with Shatiera Amankrah and Seeds of Hope LLC: Website, Instagram, and TikTok Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

There are a lot of dynamics at play in becoming a parent, and that is an understatement, to say the least! Often overlooked are the needed conversations around new boundaries, tasks, and the “invisible labor” that a new baby brings. These discussions are vital in protecting the relationship between partners and making the postpartum period more enjoyable for both parents. Today’s episode focuses on the mental and emotional labor that a mom most often takes on in the partnership–and I’m referring primarily to heterosexual couples in this all-too-common scenario.  Show Highlights: How resentment can start to build and negatively impact the couple’s relationship How a therapist will approach the issue with one individual–as opposed to couples’ therapy, which is ideal Different scenarios common in a partnership after a new baby arrives that lead to stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more Why therapy for both partners can be extremely helpful, either individually or as a couple Why communication around boundaries, tasks, and “invisible labor” is important Why the divorce rate during the perinatal period is higher (67% of couples experience marital dissatisfaction during this time!) What you can do to be proactive and protect your relationship as you prepare for a new baby Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Struggles in the transition to motherhood can be a great motivator to help others. Such is the story of today’s guest. Becoming a mom during the early months of the COVID pandemic left Molly feeling blindsided by her birth and postpartum experience, even as a therapist. Unexplained seizures sent her newborn daughter to the NICU, an experience that fueled her postpartum anxiety. Later, she had a missed OCD diagnosis and went through the understandably difficult decision to have a second child. Join us to hear Molly’s story! Molly Vasa Bertolucci is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and the founder of Poppy Therapy. She helps new moms, postpartum women, and moms who want to find meaning and courage in the emotions, big decisions, transitions, and new experiences that come with motherhood. She is a mother of two and is passionate about perinatal mental health. When she’s not doing therapy, Molly interviews moms about their first year of motherhood for her podcast, Our First Year.  Show Highlights: Molly’s story of feeling blindsided and isolated by her daughter’s traumatic birth and postpartum anxiety How an earlier miscarriage and the COVID shutdown preceded Molly’s traumatic birth experience at a birth center  How breathing complications for her baby, being sent home too soon (after five hours), and unexplained seizures prompted a NICU stay of about ten days for her daughter How the continued COVID shutdown, nearby wildfires, mandatory CA curfews, and the death of a beloved family pet kept Molly feeling isolated, traumatized, and anxious How Molly experienced OCD with feeling consumed by fear and doubt as her life spiraled into chaos and upheaval How shocking intrusive thoughts prompted Molly to get help when her daughter was 6 months old How Molly found help and relief through EMDR with a therapist and from the Hand to Hold support group for NICU parents How medication helped with Molly’s OCD symptoms that she describes as mental and emotional torture Why it was a difficult decision to have a second child, even though that birth turned out to be a healing experience much different than the first time Why Molly decided to specialize in perinatal mental health and begin a podcast Takeaways from Molly: “There is help! If you are not feeling like yourself, reach out for support. There is a whole world of support out there for you.” Resources: Connect with Molly and Poppy Therapy: Website, Instagram, and Podcast  Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We all know that the challenges of new motherhood can be many--and overwhelming. If you are an HSP (highly sensitive person), then those challenges may be magnified---and you probably aren’t focusing on any self-care. This topic resonates deeply with me and intrigues me in the way the trait interacts with motherhood and its challenges. Julie Bjelland is an LMFT, an HSP psychotherapist, and the author of Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming Emotions. Julie’s mission is to help sensitive people reduce the challenges and increase the positives.Through her website specializing in highly sensitive people (the trait also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity), she offers many valuable resources for both HSP’s and parents of sensitive children. Julie has a mission to spread awareness and education about the trait of high sensitivity and believes the world needs the gifts of sensitive people.   Show Highlights: High sensitivity is a trait and not a disorder--and it’s NOT the same as introversion (30% of HSP’s are extroverts and 20% are introverts) From Elaine Aron’s work on HSP’s: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotionally responsive, and Sensitivity to subtle stimuli (DOES) The judgment around being sensitive and its connection to weakness How scientific research shows real brain differences in HSP’s On the positive side, HSP’s are more empathetic, more aware, and more compassionate Common for the HSP mother is to put themselves at the bottom of the priority list and take care of others first Trained HSP vs. untrained HSP Self-care---a conscious action you take to lower your stress and bring you to a balanced state A key for HSP’s is getting enough sleep in order to understand and meet specific needs An HSP mom’s default setting is to be hard on themselves and focus on everyone else’s needs Certain parts of the brain in HSP moms will be overactive, like merging into everyone else’s moods and experiences Many people who seek treatment for anxiety will also have the HSP trait How HSP contributes to overall perinatal depression and anxiety, since everything changes in mind, body, and spirit Why HSP’s need creative ways to get two hours of alone time each day The tendency to measure everything in ourselves and others against the standard of perfection Self-talk, with low levels of self-compassion and criticism of themselves Common characteristics of HSP’s: perfectionism, sleep-deprived, overstimulated, and misunderstood Steps to help HSP’s: Develop self-compassion (Kristin Neff outlines 3 steps) Take breaks when needed Practice mindfulness 50% of clients in therapy are HSP’s Supporting moms and dads better in pregnancy and the postpartum period could impact parenting differently and offer more support Using the right tools for support in children can prevent many problems and help them gain confidence and have an easier time accepting who they are   Resources:  Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming Emotions.by Julie Bjelland   The Highly Sensitive Child by Dr. Elaine Aron    Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff   www.juliebjelland.com Find Julie on Facebook: The Highly Sensitive Person Instagram: hsp psychotherapist Twitter: @juliebjelland LinkedIn: highly-sensitive-juliebjelland

Today’s important topic is near and dear to my heart. We are discussing what it’s like to be a highly sensitive parent, and if you’ve listened for very long, you know that I am a highly sensitive parent. We can’t shy away from this topic, because it affects many parents, and it puts a different spin on the challenges that are part of the journey to parenthood. Join me to learn more! Amy Lajiness, LCSW, PMH-C, is a psychotherapist and parenting coach with nearly a decade of experience in working in the field of mental health and wellness. She is passionate about teaching highly sensitive, empathic, and overwhelmed moms how to harness their strengths and manage challenges to thrive in parenthood. Amy provides therapy for women and parents in California and offers resources, courses, and video coaching for highly sensitive parents around the world. Amy helps us understand what it’s like to be a highly sensitive parent, along with the ways sensory overload and multiple competing expectations cause parents more stress. Amy shares practical ways to reduce sensory overload and overstimulation and ways to create realistic expectations for yourself as a parent. Being a highly sensitive parent comes with many gifts, and these gifts can be leveraged in positive ways to support yourself and your children.  Show Highlights: How Amy realized in her 20s that she experiences the world in different ways–and that was magnified as she became a parent How Amy’s mission became to support parents who don’t fit into a set “box” of postpartum depression or anxiety but find parenting difficult because of their sensitivity The basics of what it means to be an HSP (highly sensitive person) parent: feeling guilt, having a hard time keeping up with parenthood demands, feeling rage/irritability/desire to escape, and losing touch with who they are outside of parenthood How the acronym DOES can be used for the scientific explanation of being an HSP: Depth of processing, Overstimulated easily, Empathy, and Sensitivity to subtle stimuli Why it is important to realize that the signs of an HSP in parenthood can be gifts in certain ways Why highly sensitive parents have to give themselves permission to take a break and take care of themselves–before they hit the WALL How highly sensitive parents deal with stress, overload, and multiple expectations Why highly sensitive parents need to look with introspection and understanding at what they CAN and CAN’T do Practical tips for HSP parents for reducing sensory overload (beyond therapy), like taking micro-breaks, finding balance, setting timers, establishing boundaries, etc.  Why we need to dismantle the myth that “good parents” want to be with their kids 24/7 and never need breaks Why the main gifts of HSPs are attunement, empathy, and mindfulness, along with experiencing beautiful things with our children and connecting with them physically and emotionally   Resources: Connect with Amy: Website, Instagram, Facebook Visit Amy’s website, find what you’re looking for, and apply coupon code “MOMANDMIND” for 20% off any purchase through all of 2023! Books mentioned in this episode: The Highly Sensitive Child, The Highly Sensitive Person, and The Highly Sensitive Parent (all by Dr. Elaine Aron) Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! I’d love to hear from you! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

"It is ridiculous that when you are the person in the middle of a crisis, that you are the person who is faced to do the heavy lifting" - Joy Twesigye Lack of social support is a part of what is impacting perinatal and postpartum wellness. Could we start to count on our social supports more if we are giving them some fundamental info? Joy Twesigye has a great perspective on how we can all support perinatal mothers more fully. She is talking about a fundamental need for change in the way WE, not medical or mental health professionals, but us, the people close to mamas, support mothers. Some gems from Joy: - Empathy for the mothers - We can support the support people though education - Changing our mindset to better support mothers and babies - Not making the person who is having the crisis, do the work!!!! YES!!!! Joy Twesigye Joy is an impact driven health care administrator with 16 years progressive experience in health systems and policy. 2017 marks 26 years of starting and managing socially responsible organizations framed around maternal and family support, community and school-based services, and healthcare reform. In 1991, she founded The Dining Room, the first sustainable soup kitchen for Delaware, OH. In 1993, became a founding member of Andrews House, a not-for-profit community center in the same town. Joy is currently a volunteer Maryland State Co-Coordinator for Postpartum Support International, Ohio Wesleyan University Baltimore Chapter Leader and Maryland Association of School-Based Health Care board member.

Daniel B. Singley, Ph.D., ABPP Today we are switching gears to talk about DAD and Mind with Dr. Singley. Dads have their own experience and transition into parenthood and we need to be talking about their mental health as well, so we WILL! But not just today, I’m excited that Dr. Singly will come back for a series of interviews to share with us this important information about men and the transition to fatherhood! -We talk about dads journey into fatherhood  -Things to keep in mind about his mental health -Paternal postpartum depression and other mood changes in fathers Dr. Singley is a San Diego-based board certified psychologist and Director of The Center for Men’s Excellence. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood. He is Past President of the American Psychological Association’s Section on Positive Psychology and currently serves on the Board of the APA’s Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity as well as Postpartum Support International. He conducts trainings and presentations around the country to assist individuals and organizations to enhance their level of father inclusiveness and founded the grant-funded Basic Training for New Dads, Inc nonprofit in order to give new fathers the tools they need to be highly engaged with their infants as well as their partners. In his free time, Dr. Singley likes to cook, surf, read, and take his two sons on hikes to get muddy and throw rocks at things. Follow him @MenExcel and www.facebook.com/MenExcel/

Today’s show is an interesting look into how postpartum issues were dealt with, or not dealt with, in the past. We are looking from the perspective of a daughter who has been on a quest to discover the truth about her birth, her unusual childhood, and her mother’s illness. Nyna Giles is the author of The Bridesmaid’s Daughter, a deeply personal memoir about family, mental health, and revisiting the past. We’ll hear her perspective about growing up with a mother who had mental illness, and how she now knows that her mother had untreated postpartum psychosis. Back then, there was not much knowledge or support for mothers going through any perinatal crisis. We get to hear from Nyna’s perspective what it was like to grow up in that environment and what she reflected on as an adult that she shares through writing The Bridesmaid’s Daughter. Nyna is the youngest daughter of Carolyn Scott Reybold, a Ford model best known as one of Grace Kelly’s bridesmaids. Nyna has worked with leading media organizations and is the COO of Giles Communications. She’s an advocate for the mentally ill, traveling the globe to share her story, revealing the challenges brought on by her mother’s untreated mental illness and her own lost childhood and education. Nyna is a board member of NAMI Westchester and serves on the NAMI New York State Legislative Committee. She is also a volunteer with Postpartum Resource Center of NY. She lives in Westchester with her husband and has three children and three stepchildren. Show Highlights: How the book tells the story of Nyna’s mother’s untreated mental illness A summary of her mother’s glamorous life as a successful model in the 1940’s and 1950’s and best friend to Grace Kelly How her mother married, built a dream house on Long Island, and gave up her career to become a full-time mother to Nyna’s two older sisters How Nyna’s birth was traumatic because she was almost 11 lbs.! Her mother had to have her third C-section and a hysterectomy How Nyna’s father had an affair while she was an infant, and her mother had no family close by and no support Why Nyna had a lack of formal education, no friendships, and was trapped with her mother in a cycle of dysfunction The only diagnosis her mother ever received was paranoid schizophrenia in her 50’s How the change was evident in Nyna’s mom in pictures before and after Nyna’s birth As a child, Nyna never felt connected to or safe with her mom---even though she was with her all the time Nyna’s social anxiety as a teenager, and why she left home at age 14 Why mental illness was a topic that no one talked about back then Now Nyna’s father started staying away from home because he didn’t want to deal with his wife and her mental illness How Nyna’s mom gave away all her money and became homeless Why Nyna has to balance and limit the pain she feels from the past Nyna’s transition to motherhood with her three children Why Nyna felt compelled to get her school records What Nyna learned through her discovery in understanding her birth and what really happened to her mother The revelation Nyna learned about the sexual abuse of her mother by her stepfather How we can each help with mental health by engaging in real conversations Resources Mentioned: Find out more about the book and Nyna: The Bridesmaid's Daughter Facebook: Nyna Giles Author Twitter: Nyna Giles Instagram: Nyna Giles Author

Dr. Ivy Love Margulies - Perinatal loss expert & Death Midwife Going through a loss of a child during pregnancy, birth or postpartum can be devastating to a family. It's also hard to know what to do...how to even make decision moving forward. Psychlogist, Dr. Ivy Love Margulies shares her expertise in perinatal mental health, reproductive mental health, perinatal loss and her unique work as a death midwife, Reiki healer and ritual facilitator. We discuss: - Many parents are also dealing with trauma and PTSD after infant loss and we talk about how distressing it can be to deal with that in addition to the loss. - Parents may be experiencing symptoms that are outside of "standard" Grief that are hard to understand. We talk about some of those too, which is so important to be aware of. - How men and women grieve differently and things that you may notice about your partner. - Trying to understand how you will get through this.     - Ivy also supports parents through the process of grief with her work as a death doula or death midwife by creating ritual, using healing crystals, meditation and many ways to help a parent ground themselves and find ways to comfort. Resources: Contact Ivy for a Grounding meditation and more about the resources she offers: http://drivymargulies.com/ drivylove@gmail.com Angels Born Still Pregnancy Loss Therapist Directory Facebook: Dr. Ivy Margulies Angels Born Still Instagram: @drivymardulies  

Today’s episode features another personal account of struggle through postpartum issues and a journey to healing. Join us to learn more from Ruthie’s story! I’m joined by Ruthie Ayzenberg, LMFT, LPCC, PMH-C, CYT, a dedicated California-licensed psychotherapist with over a decade of experience specializing in maternal and perinatal mental health. She provides therapy, postpartum CBT/DBT skills coaching, and support groups through her private practice, Mental Fitness Therapy. She explains how her transition into motherhood helped propel her into the perinatal mental health field, and she highlights signs and symptoms, also known as “orange flags,” that are often missed in new moms. Ruthie shares how she incorporates yoga into therapy and how new moms can use yoga practices to manage daily stress and optimize their parenting. Despite being a therapist, Ruthie was caught off guard by the challenges of new motherhood and the juggle of parenting demands. This inspired her to pursue her certification from PSI and gain experience working with El Camino Hospital’s MOM program, creating groups and providing care for struggling perinatal moms and their families. In her practice and her work, Ruthie draws from a variety of therapy modalities, including Experiential, IFS, Brainspotting, EFT-Tapping, Expressive Arts, Mindfulness, Yoga, and CBT/DBT skills. Ruthie’s experience living in Russia, Israel, and the US has instilled in her a deep respect for cultural uniqueness, and she incorporates cultural strengths, creativity, and spirituality into her therapy work. Ruthie strongly believes that the best gift for a child is a parent who is striving for health, regardless of their imperfections.  Show Highlights: How Ruthie struggled with the “two sides of motherhood” How the birth experiences with her daughter and son were totally different for Ruthie How the guilt-driven decision to return to work at 6 weeks postpartum created the perfect storm of stress, guilt, shame, and irritability How Ruthie obtained the perfect job at the MOMS program at El Camino–and relished the healing environment there Why so many therapists and medical professionals miss the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health issues How Ruthie found help and healing through yoga and psychedelic-assisted therapy Signs and symptoms of postpartum issues that are commonly missed in physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral categories How Ruthie helps others find healing and recovery through the 5 S’s: sleep, sunshine, social support, self-care, skills, and spirituality How yoga helps connect the body and mind to bring healing How yoga nidra (a practice that can be done at home and for free) can help new moms who struggle with sleep deprivation Ruthie’s takeaways: “I want to give hope to listeners that you are capable, competent, and skillful. There are many different paths to healing, and they can be simple and small.” Resources: Connect with Ruthie and Mental Fitness Therapy: Website, LinkedIn, and Na'aleh Yoga Podcast (try Yoga Nidra with Ruthie!) Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s show covers a topic of great concern and high stress for many parents. Many of us don’t understand colic and how to soothe a colicky baby. Today’s guest shares how her experience raising her colicky newborn daughter affected her life and her mental health. Jacqueline DelVecchio is a licensed mental health counselor in Salem, MA. She works in a private practice setting and specializes in perinatal mental health, certified through Postpartum Support International. She’s a wife, mother of two, and doggy-mom to a chocolate lab.  Show Highlights: In 2016, Jacqueline’s first child was born after a great pregnancy and birth experience; the all-day crying began immediately and lasted about seven months Even though her daughter was a good eater, with every bottle came the intense crying that lasted for hours The only soothing for her baby came from bouncing on a yoga ball, running the vacuum, and Justin Timberlake’s song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling” How Jacqueline’s daughter would cry for two hours after every feeding but would sleep through the night quite well Why Jacqueline felt helpless, isolated, and guilty Why Jacqueline decided to see a therapist How Jacqueline dealt with the frustration of a constantly crying baby The expectations for parenthood---and the grief that comes from realizing “this is not what I expected” The need for education, resources, and help for parents who are dealing with colic How other parents and even doctors don’t understand what dealing with a colicky baby is like How therapy helped Jacqueline normalize her experiences, thoughts, and feelings The biggest lesson learned for Jacqueline was that all moms are on the same level How Jacqueline was led to specialize in perinatal mental health What Jacqueline has learned about the effects of colic on parents Jacqueline’s tips for parents who are dealing with colic now: Prioritize self-care Ask and accept help from others Educate yourself and advocate for yourself The nervousness and anxiety that came with a second child, wondering if colic would be a problem again Hopeful messages from Jacqueline: “You’re doing a wonderful job even if your baby doesn’t stop crying. That’s not what determines your value as a parent. There is help and support if you’re dealing with colic.” Resources: Connect with Jacqueline: Jacqueline DelVecchio Instagram: @butletsberealistic   

 Chances are that you or someone you know very well, has experienced pregnancy loss. One of the ongoing difficulties surrounding loss, is that it is an uncomfortable subject to discuss, both for the parents and other people in their lives. So, these mothers and parents often suffer in solitary silence. When you couple that with the lack of education, information, and support for Perinatal loss and grief, you have a recipe for mental, emotional and physical devastation. My guest today is on a mission for change. Thank you Nicole for sharing your story through miscarriages and then having your rainbow baby!    Nicole Curran Sanchez was born and raised in Orange County, CA, and has lived in Sacramento since 2008. She works at the state capitol as a Senior Legislative Assistant and scheduler to the Chair of the Assembly Health Committee. Nicole is very active in her community and loves to help people navigate state resources. She is especially gifted in helping people understand paid family medical leave, Medi-Cal, and other state programs to help the most vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, seniors, and children. Nicole and her husband, Rick, are thankful for their rainbow baby, their five-year-old son, Cruz.   Show Highlights:   Nicole’s story of two miscarriages, beginning in 2011, and the depression and heartache that came from never being given the opportunity to talk about her feelings How she “kept on grieving” without even knowing why she was grieving Even as a health advocate, she couldn’t even focus on what was really happening to her In 2012-- a second miscarriage at 14-½ weeks, and the doctor treated her like a statistic As the doctor searched for a heartbeat, she told Nicole that 1 in 4 women experience miscarriage How Nicole felt, with no sympathy, no care, and no hand-holding The domino effect that occurred when Nicole posted a little about her story on social media and then a group of women shared and connected over their losses Why she found a new Ob-gyn AND got a rescue dog who ended up rescuing her When she was pregnant again, she was excited, scared, anxious, and very paranoid After 38 hours of labor and an allergic reaction to the epidural, she experienced the birth of her rainbow baby, Cruz How she felt: “a void of empathy, lack of care, and feeling alone” The ways of support that worked and helped her push herself to not get depressed Nicole’s advice to other moms: Name the losses, make a keepsake box, and honor the losses How her husband was her biggest support and constant source of comfort The emotional rollercoaster that dads go through with losses How Nicole wants to help and support others who go through loss How Facebook allows Nicole to reach out and share to help others How Nicole advocates for other moms in her meetings with healthcare professionals Hopeful messages from Nicole: “Families come in all shapes and sizes and they are all different. Your family is YOUR story and you aren’t just a statistic. Let others be there for you to help and support you.”

Our story comes from a postpartum depression survivor during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s normal for parents to have worry and anxiety when sickness is raging all around them, and these feelings are exacerbated by any sort of mental health condition. My guest shares her experience–and success story–of finding the help she needed in the middle of the pandemic. Many people will resonate with her story, so tell a friend—and join us now to learn more! Courtney Ginder is a mom, wife, and a postpartum depression survivor. She became a mom in February 2020, and three weeks later is when the world shut down due to COVID. Courtney and her husband were first-time parents who were cut off from their support network as they rode out colic and silent reflux with their newborn daughter. Courtney feels lucky that she was able to get help for postpartum depression during the pandemic, and she has become a passionate advocate for perinatal mental health, making sure that no parent feels alone. She is a part-time social media and graphics specialist for Postpartum Support International, the Social Media Chair for the Indiana Chapter of PSI, and a Climb Leader for Climb out of the Darkness in Indianapolis. She writes a blog about postpartum depression recovery, parenting, and mood disorders at Beyond Postpartum Depression.  Show Highlights: How Courtney and her husband enjoyed about three weeks of normal parenthood before the pandemic shutdown of March 2020 How colic and the “witching hours” set in for her baby Why Courtney tried to justify her early postpartum depression symptoms How Courtney felt like she was drowning with her daughter’s constant feeding schedule and demands How Courtney began thinking intrusive and irrational thoughts and blamed herself for her daughter’s difficulties with silent reflux, thrush, and colic How Courtney and her husband dealt with the baby’s constant crying How her husband insisted that she reach out for help  Why Courtney was devastated about not being able to have her six-week postpartum visit in person How Courtney admitted to her doctor that she had postpartum depression and needed help How things improved for Courtney’s mental health and her daughter’s physical issues The reality that someone can be suffering from postpartum depression while appearing perfectly normal to other people How Courtney became involved as an advocate who wanted to do more for struggling mothers How postpartum depression is misrepresented and misnamed in the media How Courtney’s advocacy work gives great meaning to the suffering she went through as a new mom Resources: Connect with Courtney and her resources: www.beyondpostpartumdepression.com, Instagram, Facebook, PSI Indiana Instagram, and Climb Out of the Darkness Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Even though the experiences might be different, there are many similarities in postpartum struggles. It helps all of us to know that ALL of our experiences are real, and no one has it “all figured out.” Thinking that everyone else but you must have it all figured out creates a lot of anxiety in the already difficult transition to motherhood. Anxiety is completely normal in the new and demanding world of motherhood, but sometimes that anxiety escalates into something that greatly impacts our ability to function throughout the day, our sleep, and our care for our families. It is painful–physically, mentally, and emotionally–and it brings shame and self-judgment, which only compounds the problem. There is no timeline or race to “get it all together.” Everyone’s journey is different. Let’s take a closer look at postpartum anxiety. Show Highlights: Mental health conditions make us feel bad, even if we aren’t fully aware of what’s happening. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety: excessive worry, fear, overwhelm, restlessness, sleep difficulties, chest tightness, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, sweatiness, chills, tight muscles, and gastrointestinal issues Anxiety can be magnified by trauma. Symptoms of anxiety can make it difficult to pay attention and concentrate. Trying to control/manage things and overpreparing are signs of anxiety. The challenging aspect of anxiety for a therapist is to get people to believe that anxiety won’t last forever and that things CAN change. Slow steps are important in the process of change. Anxiety feels like failure–like you aren’t doing enough. Therapy is ALWAYS worth it! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Jamie Zahlaway Belsito Do you ever wonder who is doing any thing about maternal mental health? LOTS OF PEOPLE! Listen in to Jamie to find out what is being done and about the rockstars who are at the forefront. Jamie is the Director of Advocacy for the National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health. She tells us about the national legislation that is up regarding PPD and why it's important. “Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015” (HR3235/S2311]) -How to get people involved  -Potential impacts of the bills (what happens if they pass, don't pass) -Lobby day- May 17th and 18th 2017 in DC Jamie Zahlaway Belsito is a member of the the North Shore Postpartum Taskforce [NSPPDT and is a Commissioner with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Special Commission on Postpartum Depression. Jamie helps educate the Statehouse and stakeholders on maternal mental health illnesses, gaps in the system and what mom’s may need to get better. Jamie partnered with grassroots groups and local legislators to help ensure passage of funding for MCPAP for Mom’s, PPD pilot program and implementation of universal maternal mental health screening for Mom’s in the Commonwealth, commencing in 2016. In partnership with Senator Lovely, Senator Tarr and Representative Story, Jamie helped to establish the first ever maternal mental health Advocacy and Awareness Day at the Statehouse in June 2015. Jamie has since been working with Congresswoman Katherine Clark [D- MA5], Senator Elizabeth Warren [D- MA] and Senator Ed Markey [D- MA] offices on federal level maternal mental health complications legislation. She is working with Congress to pass House and Senate bills “Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015” [HR3235/S2311]. She has over 15 years working in state and federal advocacy. Jamie is a two time survivor of pregnancy and postpartum depression. It was during this time that Jamie learned first hand about the difficulties of finding quality mental health care to address maternal mental health complications, as well as the lack of communication around the issue of maternal mental health complications at the OB/GYN’s, primary health care, and pediatrics offices. www.mmhcoalition.com https://twitter.com/MMHcoalition https://www.facebook.com/MMHCoalition Jamie on FB - https://www.facebook.com/jamie.zahlawaybelsito    

Even though postpartum anxiety is common and carries less stigma than it once did, things escalate to a whole new level when a birth defect diagnosis enters the mix. The stress and anxiety of a mother, father, and caregivers are compounded when new parenthood involves caring for a baby with special needs, and these parents feel more alone than ever. My guest today shares her story to let other parents know they are not alone in their struggles. There is hope, there is help, and there are resources! Join us to learn more! Robin Giesen is a certified perinatal mental health therapist who experienced postpartum anxiety herself. That anxiety was further compounded by the news that her son had a rare birth defect. Robin explains what craniosynostosis is, and how her son’s condition impacted her anxiety. After that totally unexpected diagnosis with her firstborn, her second pregnancy brought the same diagnosis to her second son while in utero. She explains how she coped and why she is invested in helping other parents who are going through similar circumstances. Robin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Long Beach, CA. She is certified in perinatal mental health, leads a postpartum anxiety group at her practice, and is a Bringing Baby Home educator. Robin opens our eyes to the rarely-talked-about situation of how a birth defect and caring for a special needs child impact a mother’s mental health.  Show Highlights: How Robin’s well-controlled autoimmune disorder brought her worry and anxiety as she experienced her first pregnancy almost 11 years ago How an emergency C-section and a NICU stay complicated what she thought would be a normal labor and delivery How Robin began thinking that some harm would come to her baby if he wasn’t right beside her Why Robin started taking medication to “take the edge off” of her anxiety and intrusive thoughts How Robin noticed something strange about the shape of her son’s head, saw a pediatric eye doctor, and received the diagnosis of craniosynostosis Robin explains craniosynostosis and its impacts How Robin went through the unimaginable scenario of neurosurgery for her newborn son Why Robin felt guilt over her son’s diagnosis and anxiety in preparing for his surgery Why Robin is adamant with her clients today about coregulation and how it begins How Robin’s second pregnancy (through IVF) revealed that her unborn son also had craniosynostosis  How her second son was delivered via planned C-section with a totally different outcome—and no anxiety for Robin even though she faced another surgery for her baby Why Robin realizes that she should have done more than talk therapy after her first son’s birth How Robin helps support other moms facing similar situations with their children Resources: Find resources for craniosynostosis and other cranial issues:  Cranio Care Bears and Faces Connect with Robin:  Website, Facebook, and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Dr. Raja discusses the importance of multidisiplinary approaches to health and wellbeing in pregnancy and postpartum. He shares his rich and global perspective on how care providers can work together across roles to make sure that perinatal mothers are receiving the care they need. Here are some of the topics we touch on: *OB's are one part of the care team for pregnant mothers *There might be different care pathways in different countries but if we are working together as a care team, we can "join the dots" *How the World Health Organization defines health: physical mental and social well-being. *Keep mothers and families in the heart of everything. "If you listen to the mothers and the families, you can never go wrong" *Discussing Maternal Death and thoughts on prevention *Identify and understand your role in the care of women, which includes making appropriate referrals and following up to make sure she gets support. *Acknowledge your limitations as a provider and offer to find out more. * The International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy: Open access information resource to discuss and learn about different aspects of wellbeing in pregnancy, to understand different practices in different parts of the world. Dr. Raja Gangopadhyay is a Consultant Obstetrician from the UK with a special interest in Perinatal Mental Health and the Founder of International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy." Connect here: International Forum for Wellbeing in Pregnancy (IFWIP): http://www.ifwip.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raja.gangopadhyay  IFWIP FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ifwip/ Twitter: @RajaGangopadhy3 and @ifwip1 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raja-gangopadhyay-b0816875/ Links to the information that Dr. Raja discussed: Global scenario: http://www.who.int/mental_health/maternal-child/maternal_mental_health/en/ Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (UK & Ireland): https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/mbrrace-uk/reports Red Flag symptoms: Pg 3 of  https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/downloads/files/mbrrace-uk/reports/MBRRACE-UK%20Maternal%20Report%202015%20-%20Lay%20Summary.pdf IFWIP Resource page: https://www.ifwip.org/resources/ For this and all episodes of Mom & Mind, please find us at: www.momandmind.com Connect with us! Facebook: Mom & Mind Facebook Group: Mom & Mind Connection Twitter: @drkaeni Instagram: @momandmind For Sponsorship and Guest Inquiries, please email momandmind@gmail.com

Today’s conversation is about interpersonal therapy (IPT). You’ll learn what IPT is, how it differs from other therapies, and why it is a validated therapy that is well-suited for the perinatal population. Many more clinicians should seek training in this therapy modality which is full of useful tools and skills. Join us to learn more! Elyse Springer is a longtime colleague and friend with much knowledge about supporting people in their perinatal mental health. She is a current board member for Postpartum Support International’s California chapter and serves as the Policy and Advocacy Chair. She is an emeritus Governing Council member for Maternal Mental Health NOW; she served an eight-year term and continues to provide ongoing training for the organization. She served as a board member of the national maternal mental health policy and advocacy group 2020 Mom Project from 2014-2019, and subsequently sat on the organization’s clinical advisory panel through 2021. In addition, Elyse is a training faculty and emeritus board member for the national perinatal loss organization Return to Zero: HOPE and training faculty for the paternal perinatal non-profit Love, Dad. Elyse is certified in perinatal mental health, and she is an EMDRIA-approved therapist and consultant, certified in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) by the IPT Institute, and an IPT supervisor-in-training. She lives and works in Los Angeles, California.  Show Highlights: What is interpersonal therapy (IPT)? Why the goal of IPT is to ensure social support—and how this is accomplished How IPT can help with specific relationship needs in the perinatal period Three main areas of focus in IPT: grief/loss, role transition, and interpersonal disputes Examples of how Elyse might work with a couple around role transitions in the perinatal period What we should realize about decolonizing mental health and focusing on collaborative approaches of social support within a person’s culture How problem-solving and role-playing are done within the IPT model How IPT focuses on experiences, goals, and positive communication How IPT sessions are structured as a 12-session model with periodic check-ins to follow up Where to go for IPT training: IPT Institute Resources: Connect with Elyse Springer: Website and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Perinatal mental health is the focus of many Mom & Mind episodes, but infant mental health is often overlooked in our discussions. It’s fascinating to see the intersection of infant mental health and perinatal health, and research shows that we need to consider how these two systems work together to bring mental health to both parents and their babies. We are jumping into this interesting topic with today’s guest. Meyleen Velasquez is a psychotherapist who specializes in infant and perinatal mental health. Her practice supports individuals identifying as women and clinicians working on practicing from an anti-oppressive framework. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about what infant mental health is and why it’s important to consider--along with perinatal mental health. Many moms worry about not doing the right thing for their child, so they fall into the traps of modern parenthood. Meyleen talks about the reality of parenthood, assuring you that you aren’t messing up your kids if you don’t attend to them ALL the time. Show Highlights: What infant mental health and why it’s important The intersection of infant mental health and perinatal mental health: infants need a caregiver to provide calming, soothing, focused attention, and the caregiver needs a safe space to express emotions Why there isn’t much focus on the crossover between infant mental health and perinatal mental health The need to share information with parents in the space of compassion and gentleness In the parent/child relationship, a basic need is that struggling parents need support Why an infant who doesn’t show a full range of emotions is cause for concern, but those emotions can’t be overinterpreted The need to be “good enough,” and look at parenting as a whole and not just what happened in one day Why parents need at least 30 min./day to take care of themselves The red flag of developmentally inappropriate regression in young children Overinterpretation vs. under interpretation Myths and misconceptions about infant mental health How we can help an infant learn to co-regulate Why parents need to take breaks to soothe themselves How babies respond differently in different settings and relationships Hopeful messages for parents: “Infants and young children are extremely resilient. If parents can get the support they need, then babies can bounce back. Nothing is a forever situation because we can be good enough and create healthy, thriving babies with relationships that we also enjoy.” Resources: Hummingbird Counseling Facebook: Hummingbird Counseling Zeroththree     

Jessica Diggs - Birth Disparities  Thank you Jessica for being on with us to talk about this, vital to understand and very distressing reality for pregnant and postpartum mothers. We have to be doing better by mothers. Learning from Jessica in this episode is an important part in doing better, being more aware and taking intentional steps to be more supportive to mothers. We talk about what birth disparities means, effects on pre-term labor and infant mortality, stats on birthrates and effects of disparities on African-American women and babies, how the stress of systemic racism effects health and mental health, what should we be doing differently and how can we be better support and advocate for pregnant and postpartum mothers of color.  Jessica Diggs is a DONA certified birth doula, ICEA trained childbirth educator, and NCM midwifery student. She aspires to become a midwife who works alongside the obstetric and doula communities for collaborative maternity care. Jessica provides evidence-based information to expecting families and believes in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in childbirth. Along with her birth work, Jessica is also the proud owner of a small childcare agency called Child & Friend. Find out more from Jessica here: Website: www.jessicadiggs.com Instagram: @jessicaadiggs

It’s called “baby wearing” or “baby carrying”--- you may have heard of this technique and wondered what it’s all about. It’s a good idea logistically, but the great news is that it supports mental health and overall well-being in parents and caregivers when a new baby comes into the family. We’re finding out more about the ins and outs of baby wearing on today’s show.   Laura Brown is a baby wearing expert. She has been passionate about this topic for over a decade. She’s here to share details about this practice from her perspective, and how she uses her experience to help moms and partners after baby comes home. Since the birth of her first child, Laura has dedicated herself to providing the latest evidence-based information and support to caregivers throughout the birth and postpartum period. She founded one of the largest baby wearing non-profit organizations, helps train other birth and postpartum professionals, counsels manufacturers, and speaks nationally about baby carriers and their use. In addition to being a baby wearing consultant, she is also a full-spectrum doula, child passenger safety technician, lactation educator, and is kangaroo-care certified. I personally used this technique with both of my kiddos, and I saw firsthand the many benefits of baby wearing.   Show Highlights:   Baby wearing: the act of carrying your baby on your body with a baby carrier Laura’s work, and how it began 10 years ago with the birth of her first child, when she noticed the benefits to baby, maternal mental health, and the freedom to leave the house with baby How she teaches baby wearing classes, works with other healthcare professionals, and consults with baby carrier manufacturers The importance of teaching caregivers this skill set  How to find a carrier that’s right for you and why most people will need more than one type of carrier Why ONE carrier will not fit your every need and every situation How a baby wearing class, consultant, or expert can help you find the right carrier and the right fit Why baby wearing is important in the postpartum period: Babies need constant attention, so baby wearing can alleviate stress for mom Helps the baby’s muscle development, social development, and brain development Helps bond the baby to their caregiver Why baby wearing is just another tool in a caregiver’s toolbox, shouldn’t be used all day every day, and can be custom-tailored for how you care for your baby How baby wearing helps with anxiety and depression for mom, releasing oxytocin and connecting mom and baby When baby wearing may not be a good idea: when baby has complex health issues or the caregiver has chronic pain Where to get help with baby wearing: most localities have groups or non-profits where you can learn about different carriers and take classes; even some retailers and manufacturers offer help, and YouTube has videos with troubleshooting information about baby carriers The hopeful message about baby wearing: “Keeping baby close to you enables you to do what you need to do in the postpartum period.”   Resources:   Visit Laura’s website: www.mamabirdlosangeles.com   Find Laura on Instagram: @mamabirdlosangeles

The message of today’s conversation is that postpartum depression and anxiety don’t always have simple, easy fixes. Medications, therapy, and other supports don’t help some as quickly as others. In these cases, suffering mothers need to know that they are not alone and that others are going through the same challenges that come with lingering depression. Today’s guest shares her story to bring awareness to this issue. Join us to learn more. As a social worker and mom of a three-year-old son, Lynn Wilhite suffers from postpartum depression. She has been struggling since pregnancy, with medications being unable to help her effectively thus far. She has created the Instagram page, My Journey with PPD, as a way of trying to reach other moms and partners with similar experiences. Lynn hopes to bring awareness to the fact that PMADs don’t always have an easy fix and loved ones need to support a mother for the duration of her journey. Show Highlights: How Lynn’s PPD story began as she planned, with her psychiatrist, adjustments to her antidepressant and sleeping medications to prepare for her first pregnancy How not sleeping for an extended period of time brought on her depressive episode How her son’s birth went well, except for the NICU interventions brought on by her medications—and her first dose of “mom guilt” occurred Where Lynn is today–three years postpartum and over 40 medications later How her son had sensory processing disorders and needed several therapies, perpetuating her mom guilt  How Lynn tried multiple medications, trying to find something that worked How suicidal ideations and problems in bonding with her son brought additional challenges How Lynn experiences grief, even today, over her guilt and all the things that haven’t gone well in her motherhood journey  Why Lynn was hospitalized at two years postpartum after trying every medication available in different combinations How a move to a different state left her with a gap in therapy and support How a new medication is starting to lift the depression fog for Lynn and give her cautious optimism What Lynn’s current therapy work is doing to help What Lynn wants people to know and hear from her story Resources: Connect with Lynn: Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s show is a personal story of the darkness of postpartum depression and the healing that comes through professional help, self-awareness, and gentleness. The best part of my guest’s experience is the passion she’s gained for helping other moms reach through the darkness to the other side of hope and healing. Teresa Wong is a Canadian writer who has written the graphic memoir, Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression, which was released last Spring. The book has already had a positive impact on the world and has been featured on NPR and Buzzfeed, as well as in the Paris Review and the NY Times. If you have experienced a perinatal mood and anxiety disorders or any complications related to pregnancy or postpartum, there is something in this graphic memoir that relates to your story. It also shows how culture plays a part in our experience. Through Teresa’s pain, there are beautiful parts interwoven into this story and her healing journey. Show Highlights: How the idea came to Teresa for writing Dear Scarlet when she was pregnant with her third child and needed closure for her postpartum depression experience Why Teresa decided to make it a graphic memoir with pictures Why it was important to Teresa to keep the book short and readable for moms who need to read it How Teresa handled the sketches and drawings for her book How Teresa sought help for postpartum depression when she knew things weren’t right The feelings of guilt, shame, and regret that Teresa experienced The major hemorrhage at Scarlet’s complicated Why Teresa didn’t know what was normal with the birth of Scarlet, her first baby How Teresa’s mom came to help when she got home after Scarlet’s birth, which is part of the Chinese culture How Teresa was diagnosed with postpartum depression at about six weeks and sought additional help from a psychiatrist for about nine months How Teresa hoped and prepared for a better experience with her second pregnancy by having a doula After her second child was born, Teresa went through postpartum depression again at about eight months Why Teresa was disappointed in herself because she had taken preventative measures, but she knows how to get help when she needed it Why Teresa did cognitive behavioral therapy instead of medication for the second time and then had no postpartum issues with her third pregnancy How Teresa’s healing journey has helped her in other ways, like being aware of her feelings and knowing how to handle them The positive reactions from readers of Teresa’s book Teresa’s hopeful messages: “Be gentle with yourself and talk to yourself like you would to a good friend whom you love. These feelings are normal, but you need to get help. You don’t have to live with postpartum depression and muddle through. Ask for help. Resources: By Teresa Wong Instagram: By Teresa Wong

Tanya Newbould - Producer of When The Bough Breaks and Personal Story of Postpartum Depression  *sensitive content at 7:00 & 20:50* Tanya shares her personal journey with Postpartum Depression and how her experience sparked the beginning of the When The Bough Breaks - A Documentary about Postpartum Depression. Narrated and Executive Produced by Brook Shields, this documentary takes a close look at Perinatal Mental Health, with stories from mothers, partners, advocates and experts.  The film features personal stories of postpartum depression from producers Lindsay Gerszt and Ms. Newbould, Carnie Wilson, Peggy Tanous, Aarti Sequeira and many other courageous women and partners. Tanya tells us: -About her personal experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum -How she came to know that she had postpartum depression and antenatal depression. -How she coped and what helped her to recover -What it was like to do the documentary after her own experience This documentary is in over 70 countries in 5 different languages! You can find the film on iTunes, Netflix or even bring it to your community through a screening. Check out the links below and be sure to connect with them! Connect with Tanya Instagram-tanya4re  Twitter-@tanyanewbould FB-Tanya J. Newbould Find the Film FB : https://www.facebook.com/whentheboughbreaksdoc/ iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/when-the-bough-breaks/id1210503223 Netflix : https://www.netflix.com/title/80175828 Tanya Newbould Actress for over 20 years and Producer of When The Bough Breaks, a Point Of View Pictures feature-length documentary about postpartum depression and perinatal mood disorders. Exectutive Produced and Narrated by Brook Shields, Directed and Produced by Jamielyn Lippman, Produced by Lindsay Gerszt and Ms. Newbould. Tanya and Lindsay connected in a common bond from suffering the same symptoms, but finding little to no in formation on the subjects, despite the big impact of Perinatal mood disorders.  

Using laughter and empowerment to heal NaKaisha Tolbert-Banks, LCSW, LCAC, CLYL, CEC, ELI-MP In this episode, we are talking with NaKaisha Tolbert-banks. She is sharing some of her personal story and journey through Postpartum Depression and how she got through it, as well as her professional role as a clinical social worker helping people through perinatal mood disorders and she is also a Laughter Coach utilizing laughter and humor for therapeutic purposes.  NaKaisha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor. She is a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader as well as a Certified Empowerment Coach. NaKaisha serves as Adjunct Faculty for the University of Cincinnati, and has previously been Adjunct Faculty for Indiana University’s School of Social Work. NaKaisha believes there is no health without mental health, and translates this belief into her private practice, D.U.O. EmpowerMEnt Services. She provides professional counseling and life coaching services, and educates the community through various speaking opportunities on various aspects of mental health and wellness. In her spare time, NaKaisha enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, cooking, baking, and traveling. NaKaisha enjoys laughing with her husband and two young daughters, as it is an important part of her everyday life, because laughter, to her, gives life meaning! www.duogiggles.weebly.com Twitter: @1stladygiggles FB: DUO EmpowerMEnt Services Info.duoservices@gmail.com

Today’s topic is showing up in therapy sessions everywhere right now with the holidays and the end of the year. Many people have conflicted feelings about their relationships with their families and upcoming family events; while we feel the pressure to be happy, cheerful, and joyous, we need to realize that some people have much dread, stress, and pressure during this time. Some people are just not okay. Let’s talk about how to better manage whatever holiday stress you might be feeling.  Show Highlights: How to have a realistic perspective around expectations, pressure, stressors, and the overall mental load of the holidays Why many people have strong feelings of sadness, loss, and grief around the holiday season How to take stock of the factors contributing to your stress Why holiday traditions usually change when a new baby comes along—and families are not always accommodating or understanding How to set boundaries (both physical AND emotional) and be intentional with self-care to manage the stressors and overwhelm of the holiday season Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The height of the COVID pandemic caused so much fear and anxiety, all for good reason. The moms who gave birth and faced postpartum difficulties during this time were under immense pressure to try to keep themselves and their babies safe.  For many, it ended up being the perfect storm that led to perinatal mental health crises. Join us to hear our guest’s story. Jackie Werboff is a licensed mental health therapist in private practice in Florida.  When she became a mother in 2021, her specialization was in treating complex and developmental trauma. After her experience, she earned her certification in perinatal mental health and began working with mothers, birthing persons, and their families. In today’s episode, she shares the medical and emotional experience she had with COVID at just two weeks postpartum, which sparked undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, along with much worry and fear. Jackie explains how she dealt with returning to work after maternity leave when some of her symptoms returned and what it was like to go into a second pregnancy after so many difficulties the first time.  Show Highlights: How Jackie experienced her first child’s birth in 2021 in the middle of a COVID reemergence in Florida–and got COVID at two weeks postpartum How her breastfeeding was affected by her illness until her milk was gone How Jackie’s physical and mental health declined to a scary and dark place with intrusive thoughts, trouble breathing, and an emergency hospitalization How Jackie’s husband had to take short-term leave from work to care for their son, who also tested positive for COVID while Jackie was hospitalized How Jackie’s #1 motivation was to get better to go back home to her baby How things began to improve after a few weeks, with her baby feeling better, sleeping better, and the miraculous return of her milk How Jackie felt shame as a professional therapist with mental health symptoms and about her “inability to parent” How Jackie’s husband supported her and checked in with her frequently because she felt overwhelmed and emotionally fragile How therapy helped Jackie make the tough choice to shift out of treatment center work into private practice Why Jackie decided to become certified in perinatal mental health How Jackie is feeling more prepared now during her second pregnancy Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! Connect with Jackie Werboff Wide Awake Counseling Website

Today’s show is a personal story of postpartum anxiety and depression that led to a voluntary psychiatric hospital evaluation. My guest will share how she got to that point, along with the signs and symptoms that went unnoticed for a long time. We will also hear about her journey to healing and how she’s helping other moms now. I believe that hearing the details in others’ experiences can help us recognize these signs in ourselves and our loved ones. Celeste Chapko lives with her husband and three children in Northwest Indiana. She is the founder of Childbirth Melodies (soon to be the Northwest Indiana Center for Maternal Wellness), offering individual and group peer support and music therapy to moms dealing with postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Celeste is a survivor of severe postpartum depression and anxiety and is passionate about supporting moms on their journey to wellness. She is also a volunteer state coordinator, online peer support group leader, and Climb Out of the Darkness leader for Postpartum Support International. Show Highlights: Celeste’s journey with postpartum anxiety and depression: she noticed rage and anxiety at seven months into her third pregnancy, but after the birth, she convinced herself that nothing was really wrong with her How intrusive thoughts convinced her that she needed help; her Ob prescribed Zoloft over the phone and Celeste began seeing a therapist How Celeste went through panic attacks and just “wasn’t functioning well with life” Why she called her husband one day to take her to the hospital’s psychiatric unit After five days in the psych unit, she left with four medications and a referral to see a psychiatrist The signs in Celeste’s first and second pregnancies that went unnoticed The guilt and shame that mother feel, which lead to increased anxiety Why Celeste refers to herself as “a recovering perfectionist” How Celeste’s anxiety and rage manifested themselves in her pregnancy with excessive worry and obsessive thoughts How Celeste knew she needed next-level care in the psych hospital The feelings of hopelessness with nowhere to turn The need for more perinatal psych units for moms How Celeste came into the work she does today on “the other side” How Celeste is more laid back, compassionate, and understanding to herself and others The potential for positive change with the right help and support How Celeste’s experience has changed how she is raising her children to know how to take care of themselves Celeste’s professional journey: music therapist, special education teacher, doula for music-assisted childbirth, and peer support group leader Celeste’s program, The SHARE Journey (Support, Hope, Assessment, Referral, and Education) and how it helps moms with peer support Celeste’s work with her Northwest Indiana Center for Maternal Wellness The difficult task of getting people connected to the resources they need Resources: Childbirth Melodies Facebook: Childbirth Melodies

Today’s episode is about a topic that may be unfamiliar to many. My guest shares her journey through her first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, along with why she chose a very different scenario called free birth to welcome her second child into the world. Join us to learn more! Alexa Ericson shares why she chose a free birth for her second child, what that is, and how that choice worked out for her. She explains how she found comfort through writing and decided to put her experiences into a book–with the hopes of helping other women. Her book of poetry, Motherhood, Disenchanted, covers “adventures into the nitty-gritty, sleep-deprived, chaotic, and sometimes dark thoughts that come fluttering through the early years of mothering.” After back-to-back pregnancies and years of isolated mothering due to her location and lockdowns, she felt a major gap in the discussion around the raw and tough, intimate moments of motherhood. Alexa used her writing as a form of catharsis and a way to work through difficulties. In this conversation, she discusses her marriage, body changes, breastfeeding, anxiety, exhaustion, loss of self, and more. Alexa lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her farmer husband and two kids.  Show Highlights: Alexa’s story: how she, as someone with doula training, made her birth plan for her first child (born in 2019) with midwives, a doula, and a home birth The reality of birth in the middle of a big storm, power outage, and a situation that felt out of control Alexa’s overall account of her midwife experience A downhill slide after her baby was born—and she was left with very few options and very little information Alexa’s very difficult intro to motherhood with anxiety and overwhelm Writing: the best lifeline for Alexa Motherhood messaging in our society and on social media–and why real-life experiences don’t usually measure up Alexa’s second pregnancy, when her first son was only 5 months old Free birth–a birth with no medical professionals present Alexa’s second birth story: a healing and peaceful experience with no rules, regulations, regimented prenatal care, or manipulation by medical providers Hear Alexa share two poems from her book! Alexa’s advice to other women: “If you aren’t feeling strong, try writing about it and get those thoughts out. It can help to put them on paper.” Resources: Connect with Alexa Ericson: Website, Instagram, and Motherhood, Disenchanted book Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We continue in the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month! We always need more awareness and advocacy for mental health in general, but for far too long, maternal mental health has been underrecognized and underdiagnosed. So many people have suffered without good resources and the proper support in place. Today’s guest has vast experience with perinatal mental health, and it allows her to see the long view of how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. Join us to learn more! Karen Kleiman is a well-known international maternal mental health expert with over 35 years of experience in the field. She is a strong advocate and the author of several groundbreaking books on postpartum depression and anxiety. Her work has been featured online and in the mental health community for decades. In 1998, Karen founded The Postpartum Stress Center, and in 2022, she founded The Karen Kleiman Training Center, which is dedicated to the advancement of clinical expertise and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. All of her advanced trainings are heavily influenced by The Art of Holding Perinatal in Distress™ model of intervention, created by Karen. In this conversation, we take a close look at intrusive thoughts and identify those that are normal and those that need an increased level of intervention. Karen’s latest book is Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers. Her other books include The Postpartum Partner, What About Us?, This Isn’t What I Expected, The Art of Holding in Therapy, and Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts.   Show Highlights: Why Karen writes books as a unique avenue to empower moms How the pandemic doubled and tripled exponentially the anxiety and fears for new moms How the “scary thought” range can vary from mild to very awful–and they don’t always come with thoughts of hurting your baby or yourself Why postpartum depression doesn’t always feel like symptoms–but like the mom is broken How to know if scary thoughts are “too scary” by measuring a mom’s distress: How much is it interfering with her ability to get through the day? How much is it interfering with who she is and how she functions? How women are built to function well with very high levels of distress Why Karen hopes her book can help moms ask for help when they need it What the statistics show around intrusive thoughts about harm to a mother’s baby How every new mom experiences some obsessions and compulsions around their baby’s safety Why the core of Karen’s work has become holding space for the authentic suffering of moms when they think they are “fine” Why relationship problems have to be addressed along with postpartum depression and anxiety Why connection to a partner is the #1 most important way to help a suffering mom Resources: Connect with Karen: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Book: Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts, and LinkedIn Check out Karen Kleiman’s other books: Website and Amazon Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Pregnancy and the postpartum bring multiple challenges. The difficulties can escalate to a much higher level when a mental illness is involved. The good news is that a new mom can survive and thrive with the right support and medication, but the journey to reach that point is not easy. Join us to learn more about one young mother’s journey to parenthood with Bipolar 1.  Emily Collins is a young millennial woman living with Bipolar 1. She shares what it’s like to navigate life as a mother and professional while dealing with mental illness. Emily gives us a glimpse into her experience with a high-risk pregnancy, an emergency C-section, and a premature infant who had to spend eight weeks in the NICU. In sharing her story, she helps us understand how she was able to cope and find healing over time despite the many challenges. She is married to her college sweetheart, and they have three children, ages 9, 6, and 4. A pre-kindergarten teacher by trade, Emily’s Instagram account, Lattes and Lithium, pulls back the curtain on what her life is like with bipolar disorder.  Show Highlights: What it means to have a bipolar disorder diagnosis (also called manic depression) How Emily first knew something was wrong and felt depression and went through anorexia at age 15 How bipolar disorder and hypomania began to take over Emily’s life during her college years How medication started calming Emily and helped her feel grounded and normal again How Emily’s care team of her husband, therapist, and psychiatrist help her stay grounded today Why it was a difficult decision to stay on her medication during her first pregnancy How her first two pregnancies and deliveries (2013 and 2016) went well with no problems or harmful side effects of Emily’s medication How things were very different with her third pregnancy in 2018 with two frightening bleeding episodes prior to 18 weeks After an ultrasound showed a subchorionic hematoma as the cause of bleeding, her pregnancy took a turn for the worst around 21 weeks with another heavy bleeding incident, total bed rest, and a minimal chance for her baby’s survival How unusual pain and more bleeding at 28 weeks sent Emily to the hospital, where the diagnosis was a partial placental abruption With more severe bleeding, an emergency C-section took place to deliver her son–who went directly to the NICU as a four-pounder in relatively good health How Emily’s hypomania manifested itself with an obsession about being at the NICU to be with her son Why Emily became involved with volunteering at the hospital, wrote articles, and secured an internship to advocate for premature babies—all as a result of her hypomania How Emily’s hypomania lasted for about a year and was followed by severe depression and psychosis for several months How her bipolar took her through alternating episodes of hypomania and severe depression for the next few years with several different medications and a stay at a treatment facility Why mothers of babies in the NICU usually experience forms of PTSD How Emily experienced paranoia as another symptom of bipolar disorder during her postpartum Why there is a sort of grieving process for the time when Emily struggled after her son’s birth What Emily wants people to understand about bipolar disorder and pregnancy/postpartum  Resources: Connect with Emily: Lattes and Lithium Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The idea of feeling like a failure comes up often in therapy; I hear it multiple times each week. People who are struggling often feel like they are a failure, and this is heartbreaking to hear. Let’s go behind the scenes and talk about what’s happening underneath the feelings of failure.  Show Highlights: Why being perfect and being a failure are NOT the only two options Failure and perfection—defined and explained Why failure and perfection cannot be the measure of parenting success Why a defense against shame is often underneath the unreasonable goal of perfection Examples of how perfectionism can show up in the parenting journey Examples of what could really be happening to cause you to yell at your child How to have a more compassionate view of your journey How to gain perspective on your negative self-judgmental thoughts Why we need to have more self-compassion—and model it for our kids Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Hearing that your child has a medical diagnosis throws a new kind of stress and strain into the parenting arena. Whether the diagnosis is transient or severe, increased parental anxiety is a common issue that presents many twists and turns. Today’s guest shares a pediatrician’s perspective on supporting parents’ mental health through this process. Join us to learn more! Dr. Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician and the author of Advanced Parenting: Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges. She is a mother of two and a child advocate based in New York City.  Currently the Director of Pediatrics at the Atria Institute, she was inspired to become a doctor because of her experience of surviving childhood cancer. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and she has dedicated her career to caring for children with complex medical conditions, using her skills in academic clinics, private practice, inpatient units, and schools. In addition to sharing information from her new book, Dr. Fradin shares realistic and powerful parenting advice and children’s health information on her Instagram account: @adviceigivemyfriends.  Show Highlights: How Dr. Kelly’s childhood cancer journey opened her eyes to the mental health needs of parents Why we should normalize and talk about the challenges that come with new parenthood–and anticipate that trying times will come Why it is important to have an honest relationship with your doctor and your child’s doctor How feeding challenges come up for a new baby as a very common issue and diagnosis How a child’s diagnosis can lead to excessive worry, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts How a more serious diagnosis and a larger medical care team lead to a more complex responsibility and anxiety Why parents should NOT try to “do it all” themselves but should accept help and delegate responsibilities to others How a NICU experience can impact parents’ mental health (While in the NICU, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need!) What the reality is in coping with a diagnosis and the stigma that follows in the “what’s next?” phase Why it helps fight feelings of isolation to be open with your circle of family and friends Why it’s OK to give yourself permission to feel anger in addition to frustration and sadness How a couple may experience their child’s diagnosis in very different ways  What Dr. Fradin’s book shares about information and coping strategies for parents Resources: Connect with Dr. Kelly Fradin: Website, Instagram, and Book Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! I’d love to hear from you! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

It’s a good time to acknowledge the trauma that is raging around the world, which just adds to the stress from the challenges we have come through with the COVID pandemic. Here in the US, we are going through a time of multiple mass shootings, baby formula shortages, wars in other countries, political issues, and controversy about women’s bodies. There is lots of tense energy, worry, and confusion, along with the normal challenges of parenthood. For many parents, it has become very hard to process it all and keep living life. With so many people experiencing anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and burnout, navigating the journey is a difficult challenge. In today’s episode, I’m calling this trauma what it is and admitting that life can be so difficult at times. Join me for a closer look.   Show Highlights:   How these traumas bring emotional impacts on parents and kids Why it’s difficult to talk to our kids about the worry, anxiety, and trauma The importance of remaining present with our feelings over tragedies like school shootings How we have been collectively traumatized by many recent events Suggestions for coping by pulling back from social media and the news Why being fully present in your own life is a good option for dealing with stressful times   My takeaways and advice: Limit your exposure to social media and news outlets. Find things and people to connect with that make you feel safe and secure. Engage in healthy and restorative activities. Realize that we all bear the mark of collective trauma. Know that you are not alone in the world and your feelings. Remember that things aren’t always going to stay this way. 

I love hearing personal stories about someone’s experience, and I’m always honored to share those with you on this podcast. It is powerful to hear someone describe their struggles and journey to healing in their own words. Connecting through the story of a similar struggle can be extremely validating as it allows you to acknowledge what you have been through and find ways to cope. Join us now for Angela’s story of healing.    Angela Martin is the mom of two boys, and her professional background is in the field of finance and accounting. She currently enjoys her part-time work in real estate, and she fills her free time with baking, hiking, and reading. She and her family live in a large college town in the Midwest. Having just completed her memoir titled Dirty Laundry, Angela is looking for an agent to help publish her book and put her healing message out to a wider audience.   Show Highlights: How Angela realized in retrospect that she suffered from anxiety even before motherhood How the birth of her firstborn son didn’t go well, requiring a C-section, blood transfusions, and general anesthesia How the world seemed like an unsafe place after the loss of her infant nephew ten years ago Why Angela’s relationship with her sister became strained because her son lived and her sister’s did not How we find pieces of healing along the way on our journey, even years after the trauma Why we, as a society, don’t share, help, and advocate for each other as we should Why Angela didn’t seek therapy help for five years after the birth of her first son How EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helped Angela process her trauma and heal from it How Angela’s life was filled with worry and anxiety that depleted her quality of life–but she looked totally fine on the outside Why one of the most important messages for any woman with similar experiences is “You are not alone” Angela’s advice to others about advocating for themselves How journaling became an important healing activity for Angela

We learn many things from the stories of others. In our quest to spread information, education, and compassion about the many topics we cover on Mom & Mind, it is just as important to hear the lesser-known stories of what people have experienced. Today’s guest shares her story of postpartum-onset bipolar disorder that resulted in postpartum psychosis. Unfortunately, this occurs in more mothers than we are led to believe, and we need more understanding about it. Join us now for a look at this often misunderstood condition.    Jessica Ekhoff has written a memoir of her experience with postpartum-onset bipolar I disorder and psychosis. Super Sad Unicorn: A Memoir of Mania will be published in early 2023 by New Degree Press, and it’s available for preorder now. Jessica is a trademark advertising attorney who is a figure skating, board game, and fiction enthusiast. She is a peer facilitator for Postpartum Support International’s support group for pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their young son. Jessica shares her journey with mania and psychosis that began a few days after her son’s birth and landed her in a psychiatric ward.   Show Highlights:   How Jessica’s symptoms began after the birth of her son, Wells, in 2021, even though there is no history of bipolar disorder in herself or her family How Jessica entered a manic phase that escalated quickly when her son was 2-4 days old How Jessica’s husband knew she was acting very much out of character and urged her to call her parents to come help How she had delusions that her husband had called DCFS to come to take away her son What Jessica now notices in retrospect about her first four days postpartum How she prepared to enter an outpatient therapy program, but Jessica’s condition required hospitalization before the first appointment How she felt scattered, confused, and unstable mentally through days 4-10 postpartum until she went into the hospital Why Jessica was floored when the doctor revealed to her that SHE was the one who needed help How Jessica was convinced that the hospital ward was actually an escape room set up just for her, and later thought God had sent her on a mission there Why Jessica began referring to herself as the “super sad unicorn” during her six-day hospital stay How she improved with medication and was finally able to go home to start the intensive outpatient program, even though she was still experiencing mania How Jessica felt frustrated by many things at home and her husband’s reactions to her plans What things were like when Jessica returned to work and had to re-enter the intensive program How therapy and resources from Postpartum Support International were pivotal in Jessica’s healing and recovery Why Jessica decided to write her book, a memoir of her story that stemmed from her journaling practice Resources:   Connect with Jessica: Instagram Pre-order Jessica’s book: https://www.jessica-ekhoff.presale.manuscripts.com/       Visit www.postpartum.net for resources!   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!    

Is there anything more complex than family relationships? Our family members can run the gamut from the most loving and reassuring people in our lives to the absolute worst and most difficult people we encounter. One of the major reasons people seek out therapy is to deal with the huge amounts of stress that our family members bring to our lives. This can be especially true, and even magnified, in the transition to parenthood, a difficult pregnancy/postpartum, or a time of grief/loss associated with the parenthood journey. It’s these times when finding support is more crucial than ever, and it can be saddening, frustrating, angering, and very disappointing when the ones you love the most are not supportive and helpful. Join me for a closer look at this topic! Show Highlights: How the scenario of a non-supportive family member might play out as your expectations of support are not met How family members can be intrusive, judgmental, or even absent Why you might experience a disconnect with your parents and grandparents as you embark on your reproductive journey in very different ways than they did How, in therapy, we attempt to figure out, untangle, and understand the complex feelings about our families How therapy work explores how your feelings are impacting you and what can be shifted as we work toward specific goals My takeaway advice: “Start a practice of reflection and a habit of naming your feelings. Find a therapist who can help you process your feelings, and know that you are not alone.” Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We already know that the perinatal experience can be multi-layered and differently nuanced for each person. The story we’re hearing today brings several conditions into the spotlight of our attention and highlights the need for awareness and sound treatment around the world. My guest shares her experience with tokophobia, a term that may be unfamiliar. It refers to “a pathological fear of childbirth.” You can only imagine that this condition would cause a mental health crisis and complicate the perinatal experience. Join us to learn more in today’s conversation! I’m joined by Rebecca McMartin, the host of the Perinatal Stories Australia podcast. She is a podcaster and digital creator based in Sydney, Australia, but she sees herself first as a storyteller and mom of a little boy. Following an acute mental health crisis when her son was born, Rebecca found relief in writing and stories as a way to process her pain and grief. From that experience, she decided to harness the power of storytelling to start Perinatal Stories Australia, which is a podcast, blog, and social media platform for Australian women to share their lived experiences with perinatal mental health. In today’s episode, Rebecca shares her complicated perinatal story and explains tokophobia. In her case, tokophobia led to PTSD, and her experience with intrusive thoughts and OCD served to complicate her story. We also talk about the importance of mother-baby psychiatric units, which are not as common in the US as in Australia and the UK.  Show Highlights: An overview of Rebecca’s story: a history of anxiety and OCD from childhood that carried into adulthood and an uncomplicated pregnancy Why Rebecca “did all the work” leading up to her pregnancy to avoid anxiety getting in the way of her experience How dealing with anxiety comes down to holding onto the bits of life we can control and feeling overwhelmed by seemingly simple decisions How everything changed for Rebecca as her third trimester came along with unnatural fears of childbirth and dying, fears of leaving her house, and tokophobia How Rebecca’s doctor suggested a C-section because there is a certain level of control How Rebecca found comfort through her Ob, the attending midwife, a social worker, and the hospital staff Why a lot of self-blame and guilt accompany mental illness How her anxiety changed during the postpartum to other fears, worries, and health anxiety How Rebecca experienced PTSD shortly after her son’s birth, along with nightmares, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, and medication that wasn’t helping—all in the first week  How a health professional suggested that maybe she didn’t want to be a mother anyway, and that’s why she was struggling How Rebecca’s social worker got her into the mother-baby psychiatric unit for help–and she finally felt SAFE  How local mental health crisis services helped Rebecca after her hospital stay and release Why remedying sleep disturbances should be the FIRST step in helping new moms How Rebecca realized (after her MBU stay) that she had tokophobia Why self-compassion was a big piece of what Rebecca had to learn Why Rebecca decided to start her podcast to tell her story and the stories of others–and to provide the resource that she once needed Resources: Connect with Rebecca: Website (and podcast), Facebook, and Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Today’s show marks five years of this podcast. It’s been an unbelievable journey speaking to guests who share their stories and experiences so we can all work to raise the volume on these perinatal mental health conditions. Five years, 206 episodes---and we’re still going strong! Heidi McBain shares her story of birth trauma, miscarriage, and anxiety to shed light on the importance of talking about these experiences, allowing time to grieve for loss, and getting the help you need. Heidi has been married for almost 19 years and has two kids, ages 12 and 15. She's also a dog mom to a high-energy Labrador Retriever. Her family spent six years living in Lima, Peru, when their kids were young, and they have been in Flower Mound, Texas (outside of Dallas) for the last four years. After being a stay-at-home mom when her kids were little, Heidi now works full-time as a therapist. She is licensed in the state of Texas and sees moms during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout motherhood. Show Highlights: Heidi’s story of her first pregnancy with her daughter and how it was normal until things went downhill and became terrifying and traumatizing How the birth of her son three years later brought the realization of what she had been through during her daughter’s labor and delivery How a 12-week miscarriage between her daughter and son left her feeling guilty, upset, and like she should have been referred to a therapist Why you must create space to grieve for a loss in order to move forward How Heidi’s therapist helped her realize she was experiencing anxiety as umbilical cord concerns cropped up with her pregnancy with her son How Heidi coped with anxiety by going to therapy, meditating, journaling, and spending time outdoors Why Heidi regrets not going back to therapy after her son’s birth How Heidi and her husband worked together as sleep-deprived partners to deal with their son’s reflux problems What Heidi wishes she had known sooner How Heidi’s experiences spurred her to work more in the field of perinatal mental health to help others Resources: Heidi Mcbain  Facebook and Instagram: @mentalwellnessformoms

We’re diving deep into acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. We’re talking specifically about how these treatments can be used in support of people dealing with reproductive health issues and mental health conditions. Abigail Morgan is a mother of two, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and a writer. She is board certified by the state of CA in traditional Chinese medicine and has an additional board certification from the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM). She is the owner of FLOAT Chinese Medical Arts in Glendale, CA, an integrative private practice that focuses on reproductive health for all genders and all aspects of the childbearing cycle. Abigail is a passionate advocate for choices in childbirth, and she’s been helping families get pregnant, stay pregnant, and thrive as parents since 2006. She is currently writing a memoir about her experience with postpartum anxiety and her remarkable recovery from it. She’s partnered with a nutritionist to create a new podcast. In today’s episode, we discuss how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine help with stress during pregnancy and the postpartum. There is a lot of information here for us to learn about these ways to promote healing. Show Highlights: Abigail’s work with clients in the childbearing cycle and all aspects of reproductive health How Abigail works in conjunction with many therapists about perinatal mental health Why stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia are common issues with Abigail’s clients What acupuncture is and how it works Common misperceptions about acupuncture and the needles used Benefits of acupuncture: regulates the nervous system, increases blood flow, and reduces blood pressure An interesting study from Georgetown in 2013 about how acupuncture works on a molecular level How we give and receive energy (qi) in our bodies How acupuncture specifically helps with nausea during pregnancy Why the common contributors to anxiety are exhaustion, poor nutrition, headaches, insomnia, and pain The importance of self-care How traditional Chinese medicine helps integrate the mind-body connection How Abigail does empathetic listening with her clients The supports that Abigail offers her clients for the early postpartum period Emotional and physical changes that happen in the early postpartum period How Abigail refers clients out to others who can help them Herbal medicines that nourish the blood and body Why isolation is the #1 risk factor for postpartum anxiety and depression How to find a licensed acupuncturist (visit A.B.O.R.M.) The podcast that Abigail co-hosts with nutritionist Gloria Williamson, “A Nutritionist and Acupuncturist Walk Into a Bar” Resources: Float Chinese Medical Arts Instagram: Mama Float Facebook: Float Chinese Medical Arts Podcast: Instagram: Nutrition Acu Podcast A.B.O.R.M.

Today’s show focuses on attachment and bonding. Some parents feel immediate love and connection with their new baby, but for many, they struggle to achieve a “normal” bond. The good news is that there are specific steps parents can take to understand the basics of attachment and bonding. Join us to learn more! Beth Warren is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego, California. She has a passion for reproductive mental health and has worked in this field for over 20 years. Beth is certified in EMDR therapy and Perinatal Mental Health, specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, and infertility. She has worked in both hospital and outpatient psychiatric settings and has led postpartum support groups for new mothers. She is a current member and previously served as the President of the Board of the Postpartum Health Alliance, a nonprofit organization in San Diego dedicated to promoting awareness of Perinatal Mental Health. In addition to working as a therapist and EMDR consultant, she facilitates trainings and is a regular speaker, lecturer, podcast/radio guest. She has written a newly released book called The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook, which helps new parents navigate their emotions and build skills towards mental wellness through their journey of parenthood.  Show Highlights: The fundamental basics of bonding and attachment How bonding includes feelings of warmth, connection, protection, and responsibility that unfold over time How traumatic births can delay feelings of bonding and attachment How a disruption in attachment from your childhood can play out to delay bonding with your own child How an anxious parent can have an effect on how that child grows up and then parents their own child—and why they might want to parent differently How culture and community can play into parenting because of our experiences in life Why parents have to heal themselves in order to be good parents and break multi-generational patterns How perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can cause delayed bonding, but the good news is that parents can keep working on it How the feedback loop happens as a new baby grows and develops to interact with his parents Why mirror neurons are vitally important for babies to learn from their parents How therapy can help parents learn what they are doing well even when they don’t feel the bonding with their baby that they want How Beth works with parents to help them think about what their baby “would thank them for today” How words of affirmation and encouragement can make all the difference for an anxious mom Beth’s advice for parents to promote bonding and attachment: Talk to your baby during every chance for interaction. Add singing and other motions with eye contact to help them imitate you. “Wear” your baby in a sling to keep them close to you and practice skin-to-skin touch when possible.  Why some parents have the distorted belief that their baby doesn’t like them or they are a bad parent when they don’t understand how bonding unfolds over time How positive quiet-time intervention can help the struggling parent How Beth’s new book, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook, has suggested bonding and attachment exercises Resources: Bethany Warren LCSW   Find Beth on Instagram. The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook: The Guide to Surviving Your Emotions When Having a Baby by Bethany Warren and Beth Creager Berger

Relationship challenges are at the top of the list of things that come up in therapy sessions. I’m not just referring to partner relationship difficulties, but even relationships with other family members. Becoming a parent brings up a lot of relationship dynamics about childhood, family, and our own parents, especially if there was family disruption, abuse, neglect, or emotional unavailability. To be fair, I’m not parent-shaming or blaming. Parents of a generation or two back might not have had great parenting skills because they didn’t get the parenting that they needed. Join me as we explore this concept in today’s Behind the Sessions episode. Show Highlights: As a psychologist, I can only diagnose and understand my clients—not all the other people in their lives. Our early experiences with our parents shape how we connect with people, how we bond and attach, and how we navigate relationships. The pressure on a new parent can be intense and lead to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and OCD patterns. Healing our childhood trauma is a relatively new concept. Relationships with our parents can run the gamut from having no contact at all to having an incredibly intrusive parent. The generational healing journey begins with realizing that the way you were parented doesn’t have to be carried forward. You CAN break the cycle. Mistakes are part of life and learning. Seeing a therapist can help you NOT carry old traumas into the rest of your parenting journey. A deeper understanding of yourself and your healing can help you see your parents through a different lens.  I look forward to expanding further on this topic in future episodes with several of my colleagues! Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

You’re probably familiar with the term HSP, a designation for a highly sensitive person. You may have heard this trait discussed on some of our previous shows. We know many mothers are HSP’s, but can an infant be a highly sensitive person? Is it even possible? If you’re a highly sensitive person, then this topic may resonate deeply with you, as it does personally for me. Join us for today’s discussion. Julie Bjelland is an HSP psychotherapist, global HSP consultant, and the author of several books for the sensitive person. Her work has helped thousands of sensitive people around the world. As an HSP herself, and the mother of highly sensitive children, Julie understands the trait on a personal level, and she’s distinguished herself as one of the leaders in the field of high sensitivity education. Her mission is to spread awareness and education of this trait, and to help HSP’s reduce the challenges, so they can access their many gifts. Julie invites you to explore her website, which is full of helpful resources.  Show Highlights: How proper support in childhood can prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression in adulthood, but lack of support usually means increased symptoms What to look for in an infant (keep in mind that these indicators can show up differently): Advancement in speech and language Highly observant Frequent overstimulation, with crying and meltdowns Sensitive skin and frequent rashes Prone to allergies and food sensitivities Sensitivity to detergents and chemicals Aversion to certain food textures and fabric textures Strong reactions to being wet, dirty, and sticky Preferences of adults with softer energy levels Sleep sensitivities Sensitivity to noise and temperature changes Needing to be held a lot How we create more stress in the way we label HSP behaviors How our sensitivities go down when we are balanced and our needs are met How to support mom and baby if they both have HSP tendencies The HSP trait: it’s innate, affects 20% of the population, is equal in gender distribution, and 70% of HSP’s are introverts Why it’s recommended that HSP’s have 2 hours of alone time each day Changing the culture and helping new moms have “down time” An infant’s mirror neurons when mom is not balanced Recovery times that mom and baby need How the brain perceives anxiety---and how deep breathing can help Difficulties when mom and baby have the HSP trait The roles of sleep, sickness, stress--and how HSP’s are affected What can do to prevent overwhelm and overstimulation How a non-HSP parent can understand an HSP child Why it’s important to work with a good therapist The need for reducing and removing self-judgment The value of finding your tribe and feeling understood   Resources: www.juliebjelland.com The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person by Julie Bjelland www.empoweredhsp.com Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person by Julie Bjelland www.braintraininghsp.com   Email me: momandmind@gmail.com

Today’s episode focuses on medications during pregnancy and postpartum. This topic raises many questions and opinions, and women need more information to understand the options they can discuss with their doctor. Join us to learn more from today’s expert guest! Dr. Priscilla Hidalgo, aka Dr. H, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained psychiatrist in private practice who serves patients in North Carolina and Florida. Her NC-based practice, Lux Psychiatry, focuses on helping busy and stressed people live happier lives with tailored treatment and direct care. Dr. H has a special interest in women’s mental health; she has been a guest speaker on multiple platforms, including podcasts and social media, where she has discussed women’s and perinatal mental health, work-related stress, and mindset.  Show Highlights: Dr. H’s path to the specialty practice work she does today Common experiences of Dr. H’s patients “When should I see a psychiatrist?” Dealing with a patient’s anxiety about taking medications Giving people the information they need to feel empowered and have reduced anxiety Why so many patients feel unseen and unheard at their doctor’s office Common questions about medications related to perinatal depression and anxiety Dr. H’s methods of dealing with medical providers Working with patients on medication management, psychotherapy, self-compassion, anxiety, etc.  Resources: Connect with Dr. Priscilla Hidalgo: Website, Facebook, and Instagram Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Welcome back for another great episode! I’m joined by Dr. Carla Meijen to discuss her book, Empowered Birth: Lessons From Sport Psychology for Your Maternity Journey. Her book is a fascinating take on how pregnancy can be viewed as an endurance sport. Join us to learn more! Dr. Carla Meijen is an accredited sport psychologist and Associate Professor of applied sport psychology at St. Mary’s University in London. In her work, she focuses on the mental demands of endurance performance, stress, and emotions in sports, and how to turn pressure into a positive challenge. Dr. Meijen has published her research in academic journals and has provided expert analysis for publications including the New York Times, Runner’s World, The Sunday Times Magazine, Cycling Weekly, Women’s Health, and the BBC. Dr. Meijen explains how to approach birth as a positive challenge and how it can be linked to endurance sports. She also shares sport psychology strategies that can be adapted to the birth process and how decompression can help in the postpartum period.  Show Highlights: How Dr. Carla’s work relates to pregnancy and the postpartum as a strength-based approach to the maternal journey Why people seek out a sport psychologist How a sport psychologist teaches people to manage pressure, expectations, and challenges How we learn to view our demands, stress, and resources in terms of perceived control How anxiety can have beneficial physiological responses A look at Dr. Carla’s book How we can think of goals as outcome-based or process-oriented Strategies that apply well to the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum processes: chunking goals, self-talk, imagery (visualization), and more Why tools should be customizable to each individual’s needs How to apply a six-step approach to making sense of emotions and feelings Why Dr. Carla includes in her book the importance of social support  Resources: Connect with Dr. Carla Meijen: Website, Instagram, Twitter, and Empowered Birth book Mentioned in this episode: The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscare Serrallach Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Susana Marquez, LMFT, is the founder of Me Myself N Mommy Therapeutic Services, a private practice in Long Beach, CA. The practice focuses on Latina maternal mental health. Due to her personal struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, Susana opened up a practice that specializes in providing education, support, and resources to Latina mothers and their families on what maternal mental health is and the importance of a mother’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Her mission is to bridge the gap between Latina mothers and mental health support while bringing awareness to the real issues they face both culturally and socially. Show Highlights: The hard adjustment and loneliness she felt while she experienced postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of her son in 2014 How her culture expects mothers to deal with motherhood issues and not need extra support  Why she couldn’t share her dark and negative feelings and shut down from everyone How the sudden, tragic loss of her father sent her spiraling out of control How she put herself on the back burner and didn’t care for herself or process her grief and anxiety Living with the myth that “time heals all wounds” Dealing with grief, triggers, and having no one to connect with How a colleague insisted that she see a therapist for help and how he changed everything for her The pressure on Latina moms as they are compared and held to the highest standard of motherhood in the Virgin Mary How Susana wanted to put her clinical skills and education to use to help other Latina moms Realizing what is missing in services and resources for Latina moms How she reached out to provide classes and education in her area Offering something for free and still being turned down Raising awareness and erasing the stigmas “Latinx”---the new gender-neutral term Feeling like what you’re doing is “not enough” Cultural specifics that make postpartum a challenging time for Latinx moms In Latina culture, there is not room for setting healthy boundaries and limits How Susana is reaching out to moms and spreading the word about available resources Working with doulas to provide info to pregnant moms and not waiting for postpartum problems to appear Why maternal mental health is not a “one size fits all” issue What Susana wants Latina/Latinx moms and the providers who support them to know Susana’s biggest takeaway for Latina moms: Ask for help Susana’s biggest takeaway for providers: Ask how cultural traditions may play into a lack of support for Latina moms   Resources: www.memyselfnmommy.com Find Susana on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: Me Myself N Mommy

Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody Dispelling the myths of medication use in pregnancy and postpartum We are talking with Expert Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody about psychiatric medication during pregnancy and postpartum. We will go over some of the fundamental things it’s important to know about med use, risks to mother or baby for treated AND untreated illness, clear up some of the misconceptions of medication use and hopefully give you a good understanding of the risks and benefits. Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor and Director of the UNC Perinatal Psychiatry Program of the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. Which is the first program of its kind in the US. She is currently funded by multiple NIH grants to investigate epidemiologic, genetic, and other biomarker models of postpartum depression and has recently worked to establish an international postpartum depression genetics consortium (PACT). In addition, she is investigating novel treatment options for depression in perinatal women.  Dr. Meltzer-Brody also studies maternal depression in high-risk groups including adolescent mothers, and mothers of children with neuro-developmental delays. Find all of the resources we discussed here: www.womensmooddisorders.org PPDACT app http://www.pactforthecure.com/ https://thehummingbirdstudy.com/ Twitter: @uncwomensmood Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/UNCWMD/about/ www.postpartum.net www.postpartumprogress.org  

Did you all know that you can get training or psychotherapy from Dr. Shosh? She is very active in treating, training and advocacy. Dr. Shosh is with us again today! We get to delve into the Postpartum Action Institute, that she co-founded with Jane Honikman. They offer small group training, support and guidance for therapists who are looking to serve mothers and families. Dark Side of the Full Moon Documentary about the maternal mental health and the effects on mothers and the Free app, PPD Gone which offers so much hand-held support for mothers to get support for mental healing!!! These are great contributions to maternal mental health training, awareness, support and advocacy! Find this and more from Dr. Shosh www.drshosh.com www.postpartumaction.org www.darksideofthefullmoon.com www.drshosh.com/ppdgone-app/  

Welcome to our last episode of 2023 as we continue our Behind the Sessions series. These episodes are created to give you a glimpse behind the scenes of therapy sessions. Even in today’s world, there is so much stigma and so many misconceptions about what goes on in therapy sessions and when someone can benefit from therapy. You don’t have to “just be strong” and pull yourself through the hard things in life. Around the holidays, many people feel disconnected and isolated for various reasons, and it can be a devastating time for your mental health. Let’s talk about how to manage the post-holiday slump.  Show Highlights: Why managing a pregnancy or life with a newborn/toddler around the holidays can be extra stressful Why moms usually feel pressure in greater ways to be the “default doer,” the manager of gatherings, and the coordinator of delicate family relationships How fears of sickness (COVID, flu, and RSV) can cause increased holiday pressure How to navigate family scenarios around setting boundaries, making others respect your boundaries, setting limits on your time, and putting exit strategies in place How to manage your emotional/mental load, your own internal process, and complex emotional relationships with family members Why grief is more pronounced and more difficult around the holidays How to “call out stuff” in managing your stress Tips for getting yourself back to baseline: Allow yourself time to recuperate. Ask yourself each day, “What do I need today?” Identify small, baby steps to reduce your load of stress. Treat yourself with compassion, love, and kindness.  Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Latina Maternal Mental Health Emilia Ortega-Jara, LCSW discusses cultural considerations for Latina Moms who are dealing with maternal mental health issues. We will cover some of the relevant issues about Latina moms during pregnancy and postpartum, some cultural specific practices, some of the barriers to treatment and access to care for these moms and families and taking a strengths based approach to care. Emilia is a psychotherapist in private practice. Emilia has been a longtime advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services for the Latino Community. She has worked and collaborated with social justice organizations as a community organizer and trainer on issues highlighting women and girls. In addition, she has worked with various community based mental health agencies as a counselor facilitating the healing process of youth, women, and families who have experienced trauma. Emilia has extensive experience developing and facilitating both therapeutic support groups and leadership advocacy groups for women. Emilia took special interest in developing her clinical expertise in the treatment of perinatal mood disorders, after the birth of her son. Emilia is certified by Postpartum Support International and has been the Postpartum Support International Coordinator for Riverside County warm line for the past 5 years. She is also an active member of the Inland Empire Perinatal Mental health Collaborative and the San Bernardino County Maternal Mental Health Working Group. She facilitates trainings and workshops on Maternal Mental Health issues throughout the Inland Empire. She is the founder of Corazón Counseling Service which provides culturally appropriate and affordable psychotherapy to Spanish speaking mothers, couples and families in the Inland Empire. Emilia Ortega-Jara, LCSW www.corazoncounseling.com https://www.facebook.com/corazoncounseling/ corazoncounseling@gmail.com   Other resources listed during the interview: Ansestral Healing: indigemama.com Birth Services: lamatrizbirth.com IEPMHC Conference October 27th http://www.iepmhc.org/conferences-events

We have a very special episode to share with you today. I’m deeply honored to host Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, thought leader, and wholeness advocate, Alanis Morissette! She is joined by the president and CEO of Postpartum Support International, Dr. Wendy Davis!  Alanis found PSI as a resource when she was dealing with perinatal mental health challenges, and she has openly shared about the value of PSI resources while on tour. In addition to being a long-time, powerful presence in the music world, she has become an equally influential advocate for mental health. She has been vocal about experiencing postpartum depression, or “postpartum activity,” as she has referred to it. In our conversation, she shares like never before what her experience was like, how it impacted her life, and how she has found her way to healing. Being in the public eye as a well-known performer has brought a whole other level of pressure and scrutiny to Alanis’ life experiences under the bright–and sometimes stinging–light of celebrity.  Dr. Wendy Davis began as a volunteer with PSI in 1997, became the executive director in 2009, and later became the president and CEO. She was drawn to this work after healing from postpartum depression and has become a passionate advocate and leader in the world of perinatal mental health. I’ve been privileged to see Wendy in action at PSI and work closely with her in my role as the Board Chair. Her heart-centered and help-centered approach to leadership has grown PSI into the leading perinatal mental health non-profit in the world today.  Show Highlights: Alanis’ struggle to balance the people-pleasing life of a celebrity with “the dark swamp of depression” that nobody wanted to see or hear Being a high-achieving perfectionist who is self-reliant and autonomous puts a person at a greater risk for postpartum depression. Figuring out the archetype of “mom” is a lifelong journey. Motherhood brings profound vulnerability–and ALL the past traumas. Alanis’ perspective: What does a struggling mother need the most? To be nurtured Understanding how the 90s rock and roll scene was a strongly patriarchal environment that left Alanis feeling more isolated and less connected Alanis’ role today as the champion of a sisterhood that protects and micromanages on behalf of women The immense value of someone saying, “I see you.” Alanis’ experience with anger, rage, panic attacks, and a loss of identity Tenderness, love, and empowerment in motherhood The elements of support that were most helpful for Alanis: the appropriate medications, finding community, strong relationships, and finding a space of safety to be “broken” (What didn’t help was someone saying, “You’re not alone.”) What we all want: to make postpartum challenges more visible and to normalize the conversations around them “Wholeness over wellness” Alanis’ thoughts on the beauty and purity of being a mother to her children Our immense gratitude for Alanis’ impact as a fierce advocate and champion of PSI’s work and helpful resources Resources: Connect with Alanis Morissette: Find out more about Alanis’ music and events on her Website; follow Alanis on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Whether you are a parent or hope to be a parent someday, we all have assumptions about what pregnancy should be like. What we can’t control is how it will go in reality and how we will feel during the process. Today’s show explores how the journey can be navigated when unexpected circumstances creep in and sabotage our well-crafted plans. Leora Rozin felt blindsided and lost when welcoming her first child in 2012. She wishes she had someone with her background as an occupational therapist to help her navigate pregnancy and postpartum. After having a second child in 2014, Leora was expecting another child in 2019 when a fetal diagnosis at the 21-week anatomy scan rocked her world. This experience ultimately became a source of motivation to become certified in Perinatal Mental Health. Today, Leora is passionate about helping moms when their pregnancy and postpartum journeys feel off course. She lives in New York with her family and is the proud mom of three busy kids. Since April is Occupational Therapy Month, I’m excited to share Leora’s life and work in today’s show. Show Highlights: Leora’s first pregnancy in 2011: a breech baby prompted an emergency C-section and a cascade of events that she wasn’t prepared for In the postpartum, Leora struggle with pain control, feeding the baby, and daily duties; she felt isolated and alone How Leora reached out to her pediatrician for support and got immediate help How Leora never realized the magnitude of stress, adjustment, physical recovery, and the total reorganization of her life Two years later, she had her second child, and she felt more successful and better prepared How the management of two kids, a household, and a job was challenging in unexpected ways How Leora shifted her work as an OT to focus on pregnancy and postpartum The link between postpartum issues and the lack of self-care Why we can’t ignore the “middle space” between function and dysfunction in the lives of new mothers Why Leora’s work focuses on proper support for at-risk mothers How to find an OT who can help you After a miscarriage, Leora was pregnant with her third child when the 21-week scan showed an omphalocele, a severe abdominal wall defect After further tests and an immediate amniocentesis, Leora was able to share her story and find an outpouring of support Why it became Leora’s mission to help every woman in pregnancy and postpartum never to feel alone Update: Leora’s daughter was born and had surgery just a few hours after birth; she spent only six days in the NICU and is now a happy, healthy one-year-old Leora’s words to parents: You are not alone. We each have a unique journey, so just know that you should seek support from friends and family and trained professionals. Resources: Connect with Leora: Motherhood OT  instagram.com/motherhood_OT  Check out this directory to find an OT who specializes in maternal health: Motherhood OT   

We all know that the challenges of new motherhood can be many--and overwhelming. If you are an HSP (highly sensitive person), then those challenges may be magnified---and you probably aren’t focusing on any self-care. This topic resonates deeply with me and intrigues me in the way the trait interacts with motherhood and its challenges.   Julie Bjelland is an LMFT, an HSP psychotherapist, and the author of Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming Emotions. Julie’s mission is to help sensitive people reduce the challenges and increase the positives.Through her website specializing in highly sensitive people (the trait also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity), she offers many valuable resources for both HSP’s and parents of sensitive children. Julie has a mission to spread awareness and education about the trait of high sensitivity and believes the world needs the gifts of sensitive people.   Show Highlights:   High sensitivity is a trait and not a disorder--and it’s NOT the same as introversion (30% of HSP’s are extroverts and 20% are introverts) From Elaine Aron’s work on HSP’s: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotionally responsive, and Sensitivity to subtle stimuli (DOES) The judgment around being sensitive and its connection to weakness How scientific research shows real brain differences in HSP’s On the positive side, HSP’s are more empathetic, more aware, and more compassionate Common for the HSP mother is to put themselves at the bottom of the priority list and take care of others first Trained HSP vs. untrained HSP Self-care---a conscious action you take to lower your stress and bring you to a balanced state A key for HSP’s is getting enough sleep in order to understand and meet specific needs An HSP mom’s default setting is to be hard on themselves and focus on everyone else’s needs Certain parts of the brain in HSP moms will be overactive, like merging into everyone else’s moods and experiences Many people who seek treatment for anxiety will also have the HSP trait How HSP contributes to overall perinatal depression and anxiety, since everything changes in mind, body, and spirit Why HSP’s need creative ways to get two hours of alone time each day The tendency to measure everything in ourselves and others against the standard of perfection Self-talk, with low levels of self-compassion and criticism of themselves Common characteristics of HSP’s: perfectionism, sleep-deprived, overstimulated, and misunderstood Steps to help HSP’s: Develop self-compassion (Kristin Neff outlines 3 steps) Take breaks when needed Practice mindfulness 50% of clients in therapy are HSP’s Supporting moms and dads better in pregnancy and the postpartum period could impact parenting differently and offer more support Using the right tools for support in children can prevent many problems and help them gain confidence and have an easier time accepting who they are   Resources:  Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Overwhelming Emotions.by Julie Bjelland   The Highly Sensitive Child by Dr. Elaine Aron    Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff   www.juliebjelland.com Find Julie on Facebook: The Highly Sensitive Person Instagram: hsp psychotherapist Twitter: @juliebjelland LinkedIn: highly-sensitive-juliebjelland

Even in our modern world, we still have progress to make in terms of education around pregnancy, motherhood, and maternal mental health. Education and information are key in keeping parents from feeling blindsided and helping them feel supported when issues arise. Out of her personal motherhood experience, my guest is making an impact in the world for today’s new mothers. Join us to learn more! Anne Wanlund is a new mom who has been working in maternal/child health for most of her career, primarily in East Africa. Besides her work in maternal and child nutrition, she has been active in other humanitarian work in various corners of the world. She’s with us to share her story of being caught off guard in trying to manage her anxiety and mood during her pregnancy and postpartum. Through her experiences, she realized there was a huge neglected part of maternal mental health of which she was not aware, so Anne decided to dedicate her life to this issue through Canopie, a social impact company focused on preventing and addressing common maternal mental health conditions. In this episode, she shares her work today and what she wishes other moms knew about maternal mental health. Like me, Anne desires for more parents to know about these conditions so they know what options they have and what help is available.  Show Highlights: How Anne came to the work she does today with nutrition programs for mothers and babies in East Africa and the US Highlights of Anne’s personal pregnancy experience in managing her anxiety How pregnant Anne was shamed by her doctor upon returning to the US from Rwanda How Anne felt much compassion for other moms and babies but didn’t allow herself the same compassion Why we don’t realize the distinction between those who are there to clinically assess and those who provide care How Anne realized that something wasn’t right in her pregnancy but never found the support she needed at the time How society pressures us into thinking we aren’t supposed to ask for help What Anne wishes every mom knew about motherhood and support What Anne wishes our society would do differently around maternal mental health A look at the work of Canopie to prevent isolation and offer support in motherhood Resources: Connect with Anne and Canopie:  LinkedIn and Canopie Visit www.postpartum.net for resources! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Sometimes traumas occur that aren’t discussed or supported in the ways they should be. It takes some brave soul to forge the path in changing the narrative for those who follow. Today’s show is an important conversation of a personal story of egg donation, what can go wrong, and the emotional trauma that might follow.  Meghan Coltrane is a Licensed Professional Counselor in perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. Her private practice is in Asheville, NC. She’s here to share her personal experience of being an egg donor, which led her into the field of perinatal emotional health. I’m putting a sensitivity notice on this episode for anyone who has experienced obstetrical complications or trauma related to a procedure. This kind of complication is very rare, but it CAN happen, so we want to bring awareness to it and learn, understand, and support people through all aspects of their reproductive and mental health. Show Highlights: Meghan’s rare complications are an uncommon experience in egg donation When she was 25, she applied to be an egg donor and went through the required testing Within days of being approved, two different couples had chosen her as their egg donor and she prepared for her next cycle with the necessary medications and many ultrasounds Who needs an egg donor? Any couple seeking to do IVF without their own viable eggs 20 eggs were retrieved during the procedure and her mother drove her home to rest, with her plan being to return to work the next day She tried to sleep, then woke up, and fainted on her way to the bathroom The on-call nurse told her to drink more water She went back to sleep, but kept waking up with increasing abdominal pain; it became sharp, like nothing she’d ever felt before The on-call nurse prescribed Tylenol with codeine Later, her roommate took her to the ER, where she was given IV fluids and was admitted for 3 days The diagnosis was ovarian torsion, in which the ovaries were twisting on themselves and severe bleeding was occurring Throughout her hospital stay, her caregivers were always on guard for the need for emergency surgery, which would have meant the removal of her ovaries After her discharge, she visited 6 different doctors and began having anxiety, terrors, and emotional issues Her physical recovery took 1-2 weeks, but the emotional healing took much longer Meghan was anxious, terrified, scared, and filled with irrational fears and repeated nightmares Her body responded as though she had been through a sexual assault, with her even being terrified of every man she came into contact with Why she hunkered down and shut everyone out of her life She had no energy, was exhausted, and lost a lot of weight She saw her therapist and went to Yoga for Trauma classes She saw a psychiatrist for medication to help her eat and sleep During the first year, she threw herself into self-healing and did TRE (trauma releasing exercises) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with her primary therapist The fertility clinic kept calling, asking her to donate again, even though she had told them she was done Why she felt treated “like a machine that gave them their product” There was no discussion about the hormonal effects or the possible mental effects of the process or the risks Meghan’s desire is not to discourage egg donation, but to encourage trauma-informed care How Meghan has started doing trauma-informed care training How she wouldn’t do it again, but gained a lot of insight in how to care for herself and set boundaries The financial benefits of egg donation, taxes, and why it’s not worth it Her official diagnosis: anxiety, depression, and PTSD What Meghan wants others to know about this process and the impact on perinatal mental health Meghan’s advice: “Be open to healing and surround yourself with those who respect your boundaries.”   Resources: www.meghancoltrane.com www.weareeggdonors.com

My guest today helps us understand reproductive trauma, what it looks like, and how to recognize it. She explains the difference between trauma and PTSD, how these conditions can show up in the reproductive period, and how they can impact individuals, partnerships, and families. Most importantly, her message is one of hope because there are proven ways to heal from reproductive trauma, and that’s the overriding theme of today’s episode. Join us to learn more! Bethany Warren is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego who has worked in reproductive mental health for 25 years. She has authored The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook and Healing from Reproductive Trauma. She is certified in EMDR therapy and perinatal mental health, specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth and reproductive trauma, pregnancy loss, and infertility. She’s also an EMDRIA-approved consultant and facilitates EMDR training. She is a current member and previously served as the President of the Board of the Postpartum Health Alliance. Beth joined us for three previous episodes: 15-Postpartum OCD, 107-EMDR for Perinatal Mental Health, and 216-Understanding Attachment and Bonding. Visit our podcast archives to find these episodes.  Show Highlights: Understanding trauma vs. PTSD How psychological and trauma-related words are often overused and misused in pop culture What PTSD might look like How people can experience trauma in the perinatal journey Why we need to recognize and validate ALL reproductive trauma—not just birth trauma Thoughts on triggers—and why some people are triggered by the word “trigger” How to be mindful of social media posts and the tendency to dissociate How partners can also experience reproductive trauma and shouldn’t be overlooked How reproductive trauma impacts people through grief and loss How to begin the healing journey with treatment, therapy, new skills, and support groups Resources: Connect with Beth: Website and Instagram Visit our Mom & Mind podcast archives to find other episodes with Beth: 15-Postpartum OCD, 107-EMDR for Perinatal Mental Health, and 216-Understanding Attachment and Bonding.  Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

The transition back to work as a new parent can be a difficult time to navigate, and many factors can have a significant impact on our lives and emotional well-being. Even though the transition can cause anxiety, depression, and heavy emotions, there are ways to prepare and protect your mental health for this transition. Join us for more in today’s episode.  Dr. Emily Guarnotta is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider specializing in maternal mental health. She is the owner of Phoenix Health, a therapy practice that supports those who are navigating the challenges of parenthood.  Show Highlights: Considerations for returning to work after maternity leave Specific struggles that people might face when a mental health condition is present Dr. Emily’s helpful hints in preparing to return to work The value in proactive conversations and clear communication with your partner about the transition Always have a Plan B in mind! Immediate concerns in planning to return to work Supporting yourself in the first days back at work Dr. Emily’s observations about the impacts of not having the needed support during this time Dealing with hormonal changes and stress around big life changes How long does it take to adjust to being back at work as a new mom? What to know about your HR department policies, state laws, etc. Dr. Emily’s advice about being patient, giving yourself grace in the transition, and seeking out support if you’re struggling Resources: Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! Connect with Dr. Emily Guarnotta and Phoenix Health: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Dr. Kat - Soapbox edition, sounding off! Hey everyone! It’s just me in this episode, to bring you a special soapbox edition of Mom & Mind. Basically, there are some things that get me really heated about new parenthood, pressures on new moms and dads and the way that we look at the transition to becoming a parent. I have a few choice thoughts…I’m sure you can relate…and I’m sure I won’t cover ALL of them. This episode marks THE one year anniversary of Launching the Mom & Mind podcast! Thank you so much for listening and being a part of this journey into podcasting!!!! It’s sort of hard to believe that it’s been a year, it’s gone by so quickly, I still feel like the podcast just started. I do know that I’m more comfortable doing this than I was a year ago, that’s for sure. I’m getting soapboxy about is harsh reality stuff that LOTS and LOTs of women face... I’m speaking for all of us who ever thought or felt “why didn’t anyone tell me about this”, “I feel crazy”, “this sucks”, “I’m not getting enough help”, “im Some of the topics: *Motherhood is magical *You’ll just know what to do  *Getting pregnant, staying pregnant, giving birth, being a new mother is “easy”, *You’ll love everything about motherhood *I'm a Bad Mother *Cant’ say anything negative *Pressure from society *Where’s the f’ing village? Who said we are supposed to do this by ourselves, oh, and also do everything else. THIS IS NOT A VACATION. *You feel crazy without enough sleep  *People don’t believe you when you say you’re not doing well NEW STUFF JUST FOR YOU ALL! Download just for you! We’ve put together a list of the 27 Top Tips for New Parents for Mental Health! There are 27 Experts and advocates who have come together from this years episodes to give you their wisdom to help you through the transition to parenthood. I LOVE THIS LIST! Please go grab it from the podcast page website at www.momandmind.com Facebook Group- So, in honor of the year anniversary and of all of you amazing folks listening out there, This is an official announcement! The podcast now has a place just for you, a new FB group called Mom & Mind Connection. I’m personally inviting all of you to join in this closed group, that’s just for listeners to have a place to connect, ask questions about episodes and topics of perinatal mental health, get resources and know that you are not alone. This won’t be a formal support group, as there are already so many great ones out there on FB and online. But it Will be a place to be honest about things, get inspiration or ideas on wellness, have a forum to ask the questions about the podcast episodes that you want more answers for. Support for the Podcast! I’m looking forward to continuing on with the podcast, for as long as I can! While it is a labor of love, it also does cost me quite a bit in time and money. Moving forward, I’ll be looking into sponsorships to help support the growth of the podcast and cover costs which will allow me more time to develop other perinatal mental health projects. When the time is right and the kind of sponsorship is right, you all will hear that the podcast has the support of some organizations or companies. Until then, I’ll be adding a Donation Page for the podcast.  LAST BUT NOT LEAST ---- THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!!!! I'm so happy to have you on board and thank you so much for listening!!!!  

Lindsay Lipton Gerszt shared her story about the difficulty she experienced after the birth of her son. Her story is highlighted in a new documentary called “When the Bough breaks- a documentary about postpartum depression”. I was able to see this documentary when it screened and can attest to the power and necessity of this film. If you’ve been listening to the podcast and hearing stories from mothers, you may be seeing that pregnancy and postpartum mood changes happen to a lot of women. Hearing their experiences is so important, so that we can really have a heartfelt understanding of moms during this time of life. I’m honored to have Lindsay here to share her story. Lindsay was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Lindsay had the pleasure of working with, managing and doing PR for some of the biggest artists in the music industry. In 2007, she stepped back from the music industry to begin her beautiful family. It was at this stage in her life, that she came face to face with postpartum depression. She has now committed herself to raising awareness for PPD, it's many faces and the path to a healthy life and family. Her commitment to PPD has included working on the important documentary...When The Bough Breaks-a documentary about postpartum depression, as well as fundraising, producing and telling her story, along with helping other women tell their story. This effort has become her passion.  About the Film (from the website): "When The Bough Breaks is a feature length documentary about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Narrated and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields, this shocking film uncovers this very public health issue which affects one in five new mothers after childbirth. The film follows Lindsay Gerszt, a mother who has been suffering from PPD for six years. Lindsay agrees to let the cameras document her and give us an in depth look at her path to recovery. We meet women who have committed infanticide and families who have lost loved ones to suicide.  Babies are dying, women aren't speaking out and the signs are being missed. When The Bough Breaks takes us on a journey to find answers and break the silence. This film also features stories from singer Carnie Wilson, actress Tanya Newbould, celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira and Peggy Tanous of The Real Housewives of Orange County." The Documentary can be found: Website: http://www.whentheboughbreaksfilm.com/#/ Documetary Trailer is on YouTube FB: When The Bough Breaks - A Documentary About Postpartum Depression Twitter: @boughbreaksdoc

Today’s show takes a look at the difficult topics of postpartum psychosis and infanticide through the eyes of the filmmakers of the documentary, Not Carol. The film covers the story of Carol Coronado, who was convicted of the 2014 murders of her three young daughters in CA while highlighting the desperate need for education and services for mothers and fathers in recognizing and treating postpartum psychosis. Join us for a conversation with the producers and directors of Not Carol, Eamon Harrington and Veronica Brady. Eamon Harrington has co-owned Planet Grande Pictures since forming the company in 1993 with John Watkin. During that time, he has produced and directed hundreds of hours for all the major broadcast and cable outlets, winning seven Emmys along the way. Other industry honors include a Peabody Award and a DuPont Columbia Baton. Before forming Planet Grande, Eamon spent three years as Head of Production at VH1 in New York. Eamon has directed dozens of documentaries and unscripted series. His Emmy award-winning documentaries include Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? (with Maria Shriver for HBO), Shades of a Single Protein (with Oprah Winfrey for ABC), Positive: A Journey into AIDS (ABC), and In Full Effect (FOX). Eamon is a hands-on producer and director, and frequently shoots many of his projects. That same hands-on approach brings him into the editing room on nearly every project. Show Highlights: How the documentary takes a look at maternal mental illness, specifically postpartum psychosis Not Carol, which follows the story of 30-year-old Carol Coronado, arrested for the murder of her three young daughters, all under 2-½ years old The 4-5 year filmmaking journey looking at postpartum psychosis through the lens of Carol’s case wrapped up in advocacy and information What really happens when psychosis sets in and how little we know and understand about it The importance of populating the film with leading experts on postpartum psychosis and survivors who have lived through it What surprised Eamon and Veronica about the lack of laws for infanticide in the US, meaning these women are tried for 1st-degree murder with no recourse for legal defense, all based on laws dating back more than 150 years How these women are at risk even when they are incarcerated How the title Not Carol came about and fits the story What Eamon and Veronica wished people understood about postpartum psychosis: how to recognize this treatable, temporary illness The lack of substantial help for those left behind after a postpartum psychosis tragedy The double whammy of the illness AND the trauma The numbers: 4 million babies are born in the US yearly; 1 in 5 moms will experience some form of postpartum depression; about 2 in 1000 will have postpartum psychosis; of these with PP psychosis, 4% will commit infanticide, and 5% will commit suicide Why Eamon and Veronica think young women AND young men should see the film, to help them understand that postpartum psychosis is a real thing Why much patience was required in the filmmaking process How Eamon and Veronica secured the trust and approval of individuals and Postpartum Support International to tell the story How Eamon and Veronica have become advocates in Carol’s story and for her family How to have a screening in your area   Resources: Film information and the 5-part podcast: https://www.notcarol.com/ For more information, please see the Planet Grande website: https://www.planetgrande.com/ Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net

There are many misconceptions about postpartum depression, what it is, and how it manifests itself. This episode will clear up some of the myths and bring clarity, hope, and awareness to this topic. Join us to learn more! Kristina Deligiannidis, MD, received her medical degree from and completed her psychiatry residency and chief residency in psychopharmacology research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. After residency, she completed a visiting fellowship and further training in multimodal neuroimaging at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. Dr. Deligiannidis joined the faculty at Zucker Hillside Hospital, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in September 2016. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and currently serves as the director of women’s behavioral health at Zucker Hillside Hospital. As a reproductive psychiatrist, she has expertise in treating women with mood and anxiety disorders linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause.  Show Highlights: How Dr. D came to this field that blends neuroscience, psychiatry, and women’s health Why her research into postpartum depression focuses on the female hormones before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth Postpartum depression defined and explained: It is a mix of emotional, physical, and other symptoms that usually begin with sadness, loss of pleasure in activities, sleep difficulties, appetite disturbances, irritability, agitation, guilt, loss of worth, and more. How postpartum depression and “baby blues” differ in severity, onset, and duration How changes in the brain take place due to pregnancy hormones increasing and decreasing with the birth process Risk factors for perinatal depression include a personal history of depression, increased stressors, and minimal support How moms describe postpartum depression with feelings of isolation and a loss of self How many women suffer without getting the help and support they need and have long-term effects Why we need to do a better job in recognizing and treating postpartum depression for the sake of moms, babies, families, and society How the risks for depression in pregnancy and the postpartum can differ from each other D explains a recent study by Healthy Woman that shows the pressure women feel to “do it all” and like they are “bothering someone” if they ask for help How people can prepare for life with a new baby and prioritize their emotional health Why a higher percentage of Hispanic and black women report inadequate social support and poor access to their healthcare providers in the early postpartum period, as compared with white women How a new program, Check On Mom, helps with developing a maternal mental wellness plan Resources: My Check On Mom  Connect with Kristina

Hearing personal stories gives us a unique insight into the nuances of the journey into parenthood, which differ from one person to the next. Today’s guest details her experience in ambivalence about whether having kids would be part of her life story. She shares how her journey into parenthood has shaped and grown her into the person she is today. Dr. Elise Sanchez is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, speaker, coach, and educator who lives in CA with her husband and toddler. She provides coaching, mentoring, and consultation regarding life transitions, education, sexuality, love, friendship, mental health, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Sanchez is the founder of Speak the Secret, an online platform created to provide community, connection, and collaboration with people who have a passion for growth and healing. As a new mom, Dr. Sanchez realized there was a long way to go in her healing journey. She created a group on Facebook, #MomLivesMatter, to provide resources, support, and community for moms. She aspires to help everyone she meets feel seen, heard, and understood,r empowering others to use their voice and share stories of strength, resilience, and hope is her mission. Show Highlights: Elise’s story of how she and her husband wavered back and forth about having kids and when to start trying The long process of Elise’s pregnancy, labor, and delivery How Elise learned to “lean into the pain” of giving birth How Elise tore and was stitched up in the traumatic aftermath of her daughter’s birth The difficulty of Elise’s postpartum care in the hospital The breastfeeding difficulty and pain that Elise mistakenly thought was “normal” until her daughter’s lip-tie and tongue-tie were discovered by a lactation consultant Why Elise regrets not listening to her intuition earlier Why the lack of sleep was the biggest postpartum hurdle at home for Elise The blessing of COVID-19 in giving Elise more quality time with her daughter The guilt and shame that Elise feels in expressing her dislike of many of the mothering responsibilities The struggle for Elise to find her new identity as a mom The need to talk about the darker and scarier side of becoming a mother, and why we need to normalize these feelings and prepare new moms for them What Elise wants others to know: “Therapy is valuable. Speak up, find support, and get help when you need it.” How it took about a year to recover and get back to “normal” The value in learning to be present in the moment as a new mom Hopeful messages from Elise: “Giving birth and becoming a mom humbled me and reminded me that I’m human. I have such appreciation for everyone who has kids because they do the impossible every single day. I have huge respect for them. We work like we don’t have kids, and we have kids like we don’t work. We are doing it all and ruling the world.” Resources: Instagram: Dr. Elise Sanchez Speak The Secret Facebook Groups: Mom Lives Matter  

Helena Vissing, Psy.D. Our bodies, our minds and how we understand them in the change to motherhood. In this episode we are talking with Dr. Helena Vissing, about maternal ambivalence and some of the feminist psychanalytic and somatic perspectives on how women feel about their body related to pregnancy and postpartum. We are looking at how to broaden our understanding of maternal ambivalence and how ambivalence comes up how our body in motherhood. We discuss the mental changes of becoming a mother and the mixed feelings we sometimes have about our children - Love and Hate - Dr. Vissing has a Psy.D. in Applied Clinical Psychology. She has experience working as a School Psychologist and in private practice from her home country Denmark. She moved to Los Angeles in 2010, where she conducted a doctoral dissertation study on the experience of becoming a mother in the Psy.D. program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the psychology of the emotional and somatic changes related to motherhood.  She is active in the non-profit organization Maternal Mental Health NOW She works in a group practice called Triune Therapy Group, where she runs a moms group. She is also Adjunct Faculty at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Helena is contributing with a chapter to a book titled "A Womb of Her Own: Women's Struggle for Sexual and Reproductive Autonomy" which will be released in January. Helena's chapter is an exploration of the Birth Rights Movement and the psychology of birth. Check it out here:  http://section-three.org/events-calendar-2/upcoming-book/    Connect with Helena here:   Blog: All Things Maternal allthingsmaternal.wordpress.com Twitter: @allthingsmat   Triune Therapy Group facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triunetherapy/   Facebook group called Maternal Studies Scholars Network https://www.facebook.com/groups/787721161279489/?fref=ts  

Join us for this very special episode, celebrating 100 episodes of Mom and Mind! In this episode, Dr. Kat takes a look back at some of the most impactful episodes of the first 100!  You also get to hear messages from other listeners. These are messages of encouragement and hope. The first 100 episodes is a huge milestone, but to be honest, we are just getting started! There's still so much more to discuss and so many more people to talk to.  So join us as we celebrate this milestone, and keep coming back week after week because we are just getting started. Share this episode with a friend and if you haven't already joined the Facebook group, what are you waiting for?   For this and all episodes of Mom & Mind, please find us at: www.momandmind.com Facebook: Mom & Mind Facebook Group: Mom & Mind Connection Twitter: @drkaeni Instagram: @momandmind For Sponsorship and Guest Inquiries, please email momandmind@gmail.com

Weight-loss struggles, eating disorders, endless dieting shame--we all know what it feels like to be stuck with these issues. None of these contribute to mental wellness, joy, and contentment. The problems are compounded for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. If you’re stuck in the shame cycle about your body shape and dieting failures, join us for today’s show. Catie Lynch is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in eating disorders, body image, and the postpartum period. She has two daughters, a three-year-old and a ten-month-old. She has made it her mission to help women stop dieting and find food freedom for themselves and their children. Show Highlights: Catie’s personal story of her struggle with body image, dieting restrictions, and eating disorders How Catie coped after her wedding with weekly therapy, dietitian appointments, and group therapy Catie’s first pregnancy and the body changes that felt to her like two years of weight gain How Catie felt pressure in the postpartum period to “get my body back” while caring for a newborn How girls and young women are bombarded with ideals about what our bodies should look like What Catie sees in her practice regarding women and body image: Wanting to be “perfect” Obsessing about clean eating Struggling when they don’t “feel” themselves How women can be triggered by their doctors’ views about food How “health” is assessed with weight and BMI, which aren’t always the best indicators of health What your “set point” is, where your body wants to be, and how your body protects itself Why it’s so difficult for women to trust their bodies and feelings Catie’s message to pregnant women who are worried about weight and body image Why Catie wishes she had done things differently in her pregnancy and postpartum, like trusting herself more, talking to others about it less, and focusing on her own needs Top concerns that women share with Catie during the postpartum period Behavioral warning signs that help women know when they need to seek professional help in the postpartum How the health and wellness industry markets dieting today as “lifestyle changes” Catie’s “health at every size” approach, which focuses on intuitive eating Catie’s hopeful messages for women: “Women shouldn’t feel bad about wanting to lose weight. Talk to a coach or therapist who is trained in disordered eating in the postpartum. You know what your body wants, so don’t let your brain hijack your intuition. You’ll be a better person and a better parent for it.” Resources: Catie Lynch LCSW Find Catie on IG: catielynchlcsw Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch    

Today’s topic is important, but it is hugely stigmatized in our culture. You may not have even heard about paternal postpartum depression, but my guest today shares what he experienced with the births of his two children.    Dr. David Levine is a pediatrician in New Jersey. He was blindsided by postpartum depression because, like most of us, he thought it only happens to women. He shares the struggle of having to talk to his wife about it and how he found help. Even more surprising is that he experienced postpartum while working as a pediatrician. He completed his undergraduate degree at Rutgers College Medical School at NYU and his residency in pediatrics at Yale. Dr. Levine is not on the board of Postpartum Support International (PSI), where he works in professional outreach as a staunch advocate for fathers’ mental health. He’s written a book about his experience, which will hopefully be published soon to get the message out to fathers that they are not alone.    Show Highlights:   Why so little is known about postpartum mental health, especially concerning fathers David’s experience when his first child was born seven years ago How David felt his aggravation and agitation increase as his infant son cried and could not be calmed How David looked for support groups and resources for dads--and couldn’t find anything How he kept getting worse and started envisioning committing violence against his child: “It was like watching a horror movie in my mind.” How David finally told his wife about his depression and intrusive thoughts How David tried medication briefly and then hit rock-bottom around week 7 of his son’s life How David began his long road to recovery with therapy, a baby nurse, and more sleep How he gained confidence as a father and began to bond with his son when he was 3-4 months old How David began working with PSI and then had his second child three years ago How his experiences were very similar, yet very different with his daughter Why David feels that the traditional traps of masculinity kept him from seeking help earlier How men experience anxiety and depression much differently than women do Why postpartum depression in dads might manifest with anger, withdrawal from the family, and even physical violence The pushback from people who don’t believe that postpartum depression exists for fathers Why there should be more research, understanding, and resources for all aspects of male mental health The hard statistics about male and female depression How we can catch paternal postpartum depression better by teaching pediatricians to screen mothers AND fathers, and teaching obstetricians to inform mothers to check on dads David’s manuscript for his book and his determination to get it published Hopeful messages from David: “Paternal postpartum depression is fixable. We can prevent some of this from happening. With that, we can improve the lives of children and their parents and make stronger families.”

Becoming a mother is an intricate dance of transition that impacts every part of a woman’s life down to her very identity. Matrescence is the name for this “motherhood development process,” and it’s not an easy journey for every woman to navigate. This process is every bit as vital to a healthy, thriving family as child development, but it’s often overlooked or pushed to the back burner. Join us as we dive into this topic in today’s episode!  Christine Carrig is the founding director of Carrig Montessori School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has been a Montessori teacher and administrator with a focus on early childhood education for nearly two decades. Since becoming a mother eleven years ago, Christine has brought the same level of passion and inquiry to maternal development as she has always had for childhood development. She is the writer in residence for Khora, the Maternal & Reproductive Psychology Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she focuses her writing on the intersection between child development and maternal development in hopes of bringing a more holistic view to the parent-child dyad. She lives in Queens, NY, with her husband and their four children.  Show Highlights: How Christine came into the work she does today How Christine defines and explains matrescence Why matrescence can be compared to adolescence in the scope and intensity of the changes Why we need to support and validate mothers and not try to “fix” them How Christine’s personal experiences with motherhood have aligned with what she has learned about matrescence How to understand the matrescence process through the story of “the six blind men and the elephant” How to keep a helpful perspective of the parent-child dyad How a lack of honoring matrescence shows up for parents in Christine’s work How mothers are negatively influenced by social media input on topics like gentle parenting Why we need to have balance in child development AND mother development instead of taking a largely child-centric approach Resources: Connect with Christine Carrig: Carrig Montessori School, The Family Flow, Instagram, and LinkedIn Click here to read Christine’s Insider article about gentle parenting mentioned in this episode.  Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

We are talking about Postpartum Anxiety today and more specifically, what’s common and what’s cause for concern and treatment. This is a question that moms have so often and I’m happy for Dr. Carly Snyder to come on and dispel some of the confusion. We touch on the ever present guilt and shame that runs its course through motherhood as well as some ways to cope and manage postpartum anxiety. Some of what we touch on: - What is "normal" anxiety in new motherhood - How can people know when it's becoming more difficult or a clinical issue? - What kinds of anxiety might a mother experience  - What you can do to begin feeling better Connect with Dr. Snyder here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarlySnyderMD Twitter - @CarlySnyderMD Dr. Carly Snyder is one of a small cohort of medical physicians in New York City specializing in reproductive psychiatry. Her unique approach combines traditional psychiatric treatment with integrative medicine-based treatments. Dr. Snyder is an attending physician on staff in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center. She also holds a teaching appointment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and is an assistant attending with a teaching appointment at Weill-Cornell in the Payne Whitney Women’s Program. Dr. Snyder is on the Postpartum Support International (PSI)Board of Directors as the Research Chair. She frequently speaks to various audiences, such as ‘The Pregnant New Yorker,’ and at professional conferences and meetings. Dr. Snyder is also a member of the Women’s Mental Health Consortium. She is the Director of Women’s Health for Family Health Associates. Her weekly radio show, MD for Moms, can be heard Wednesdays at 1pm ET on the BBM Global Network and TuneIn radio, or anytime on BBMglobalnetwork.com/MD-for-moms. Dr. Snyder’s HuffPost parenting blog shares the MD for Moms moniker. For this and all episodes of Mom & Mind, please find us at: www.momandmind.com Connect with us! Facebook: Mom & Mind Facebook Group: Mom & Mind Connection Twitter: @drkaeni Instagram: @momandmind For Sponsorship and Guest Inquiries, please email momandmind@gmail.com

So many changes happen in the transition to motherhood, and these shifts run the gamut from physical, mental, emotional, and social changes to even chemical changes in the brain. I’m joined today by the author of Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain. Join us for an informative discussion on this important topic. Dr. Nikki Pensak is a clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health and providing evidence-based therapy to her patients. She also serves on the Expert Review Board for Parents Magazine, the Expert Board of Providers for Mother Untitled, and is a TEDx speaker. She shares with us her personal experience and what inspired her to write her book.  Show Highlights: Dr. Nikki’s journey to perinatal mental health work through a focus on caregivers Dr. Nikki’s hindsight into mothers after her postpartum experience The mother: “The silent patient” Dr. Nikki’s book is based on the premise that motherhood, as we know it in the US, is NOT working. Three pillars in the transition to motherhood: postpartum treatment and mental health, matrescence, and the power of the maternal brain Postpartum treatment should focus on healthy ways to increase neuroplasticity in a productive way. Neuroplasticity in a new mother The prevalence of suffering in new mothers–and the time and understanding they need in this huge life transition A closer look at Dr. Nikki’s book, which addresses topics like mom shame, mom guilt, mom rage, relationship changes, bonding, back-to-work transitions, brain changes, and more The value of having a postpartum mental health action plan in place Dr. Nikki’s TEDx talk experience of speaking on “The Power of the Maternal Brain” The disparity in healthcare and research funding for men’s issues and women’s issues—we can do better! Resources: Connect with Dr. Nikki Pensak: Website, Instagram, YouTube, Rattled book Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

It is astounding to note that 1 in 10 dads will experience a perinatal mental health condition, and research shows that dads also face hormonal changes. This Monday, June 17, 2024, is International Father’s Mental Health Day, and we want to bring fathers’ mental health to the forefront in today’s episode. When a mom goes through a perinatal mental health disorder, her partner is 50% more likely to also struggle. This is an important topic to discuss regarding the entire family system. Especially on social media, dads’ experiences are pushed aside and discounted because they don’t physically go through pregnancy and birth as a mother does, but we want to shed light on and give a voice to dads and the important part they play in the entire perinatal process. I’m grateful that my guest is sharing his story of becoming a new father. Join us to hear Tony’s story! Tony Pacitti, a writer, navigated pandemic parenthood to welcome his twin sons in 2020. He shares how he coped with the initial shock of his wife’s postpartum psychosis and psychiatric care, the emotions he encountered, and the complexities of writing and talking about this topic from a father’s perspective. Tony writes regularly about this topic and has been featured on numerous podcasts to share his story and bring awareness to a father’s perspective of perinatal mental health conditions. You can find out more about Tony’s life and work at his website. Show Highlights: Highlights of Tony’s story: twins born in 2020 during the pandemic and his wife’s psychotic episodes that began a few days later with paranoia, confusion, and hallucinations The shock, heartbreak, and fright Tony felt at seeing his wife’s psychosis play out in the hospital The response and efforts of the medical staff to help his wife—even though no one ever used the term “postpartum psychosis” After his wife and sons were home, she showed signs of depression and confessed to being suicidal. The dual realities in what he and others were seeing and what his wife was seeing about the twins’ health and wellness The back-and-forth experience of day treatment, short-term hospitalizations, and continued symptoms until she went for a long-term stay of more than a month Tony’s support system of his parents, therapist, PSI, and friends who helped out with the twins’ care The treatment (ECT: electroconvulsive therapy) and medications that finally worked and allowed his wife to come home An update on Tony’s wife now: the healthy and improved version, “Sondra 3.0” The truth about perinatal mental health conditions: the entire family system is greatly affected Tony’s need to document their experience and acknowledge what they went through Resources: Connect with Tony Pacitti: Website Click here to find resources about International Father’s Mental Health Day. Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to better support people for whom they provide services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!