Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Latest Episodes:

246: More Than: PPD Healing and Supporting Suffering Mothers Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

My guest today shares her story of pregnancy and postpartum where she experienced “the sampler platter” of issues. Her experiences were varied, and they amounted to more than just the classic PPD symptoms. Because she didn’t understand what was happening, she felt like she was a bad parent in every way even though she appeared to be doing “just fine.” Maybe you–or someone you know–can relate to Alison’s story. Join us to learn more in today’s episode!

Alison Staiger is a licensed clinical social worker certified in perinatal mental health. She owns Highwire Therapy, a solo private practice serving clients in Illinois and Louisiana, specializing in full-spectrum reproductive mental health through a feminist lens. Her coaching practice, The Matriarchy, helps feminist mothers use rebellious anger and fierce care to lead their families and small businesses with pleasure, purpose, and personality. Alison shares her personal story, along with her perspective on American motherhood and why we need a new culture of care.

Show Highlights:

Highlights of Alison’s story of unexpected motherhood around age 30
How Alison worked through an eating disorder and several challenges that left her feeling disoriented during pregnancy
How medical interventions furthered Alison’s belief that she wasn’t prepared for motherhood and led to an emergency C-section to give birth to her daughter
How Alison had to prove that she was OK and handling everything while she was in panic mode on the inside and felt totally dysregulated
How it took slow work with a therapist for Alison to believe that she was allowed to have self-compassion
Why Alison had the realization with the 2016 election that she wanted to have more autonomy
Why Alison felt like she wasn’t showing up as a mom and in her life like she wanted
How things began to shift and change for Alison as she gained a new perspective on her feelings
How Alison learned that rebellion and anger against society’s norms can be part of being a good mother
How she learned that it was OK to be “anti-perfectionist” and question every voice she hears
How Alison’s healing became the context for the work she does today to help other moms
Why much of parenting is wrapped up in trauma responses–and we don’t even realize it
How our societal structure systems of parenthood and perfectionism make it difficult for moms to ask for care and receive care
How Alison stresses to her clients the need to drop into their sense of identity as an internal reconnection
How Alison offers support to families through her therapy private practice and coaching practice
What Alison wants parents to know about becoming a new parent

Resources:

Connect with Alison: Therapy Website, Coaching Website, 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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

245: Postpartum in the Pandemic with Courtney Ginder Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

244: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety's Impact and Healing Journey Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

Today’s story is from a mom who experienced postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and rage. Many of us have been through one or more of these symptoms, and it’s especially hard for mental health providers to acknowledge these conditions. Postpartum depression and anxiety can take you by surprise, even if you know what to look for in the symptoms. Join us to hear more from Rosalinda in today’s episode.

Rosalinda Heider is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from West Texas A&M University in 2006 and Master’s degree from the Baylor University School of Social Work in 2008. She has spent the last 12 years working as a mental health and suicide prevention social worker for the Department of Veteran Affairs. In her motherhood experience, she became aware of the lack of support for new mothers who are struggling with mental health. After starting a postpartum support group for mothers in her community in 2017, she also began a virtual postpartum support group within the VA for female veterans. Rosalinda joins us to share her story and her message to those with postpartum struggles, that they can come out stronger than ever with the right type of support and treatment.

Show Highlights:

An overview of Rosalinda’s story as a social worker and her first pregnancy with her daughter
How the pregnancy and birth went well but there were a few feeding issues with her newborn
How going dairy-free and chiropractic care helped the feeding/colic situation
How Rosalinda began being tearful and emotional and thought it was normal, never realizing she was experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety
Why Rosalinda saw her primary care doctor for a postpartum depression screening–and cried all the way through it
Why a postpartum depression diagnosis brought a sense of relief to Rosalinda and a realization of how common her feelings are
How she felt alone in her diagnosis until she found support in talking to other moms
Why Rosalinda didn’t enjoy motherhood until her daughter was about 5-6 months old
How therapy and medications helped with the depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts
How a simple suggestion from her therapist helped Rosalinda get better sleep and combat anxiety
Why Rosalinda started a support group for moms in 2017
Why it’s therapeutic just to share your story and have it validated by others–knowing you are not alone in your experience
How it took a couple of years for Rosalinda to feel normal again because she felt angry and frustrated so much of the time–and struggled to hold her marriage together
How Rosalinda realized and felt shame over all the times she blamed her husband for their problems
Why social media doesn’t give a true picture of what people are experiencing—and can make some moms feel even more isolated
A glimpse into Rosalinda’s support group for moms

Resources:

Connect with Rosalinda: Postpartum Support of the Texas Panhandle

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

243: Postpartum Anxiety and Coping with Congenital Birth Defects Diagnosis Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

242: The Value of Fathers and the Black Voice in Parenthood Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

I’m excited to introduce you to my guest, who is doing amazing work with fathers. His work is very important and very needed in today’s world, and he’s working to combat the negative stereotypes around uninvolved fathers. I met him recently at the Postpartum Support International conference, where he won an award for his work, and I knew we needed to hear more from him on the show. Join us!

Reginald (Reg) Day is a Certified Lactation Consultant, creator of the Get At Me Dad podcast, fatherhood expert, and Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color. He is the co-facilitator of the Nature’s Playhouse Fatherhood support group and a community health worker. He has also co-facilitated a community-based birth and breastfeeding support group, “Meet, Nurse, Love,” where he has served by mentoring alongside fathers in supporting their birthing and breastfeeding partners. The married father of two children, who were both breastfed, has made it his mission to change the narrative of how fatherhood is viewed in BIPOC populations. Reg lives out his passion for people by serving as an associate pastor at his local church. He is a fatherhood and family advocate who believes that great communities begin with strong families. He makes his home in metro Detroit with his wife and two children.

Show Highlights:

How Reg came into the work he does today as a way to reframe his personal experiences around fatherhood
How mental health issues carry a stigma in the Black community
Why Reg felt unseen, unheard, and devalued as an expectant and new father
How therapy became the turning point for Reg, providing an outlet and a healthy way to deal with the stress of fatherhood
Why Reg chose to use his experience to help others in changing and challenging the system
Why the value of a father can never be underestimated
How fathers can advocate for themselves in a system that isn’t listening to them
What Reg’s platform, Get At Me Dad, is achieving in educating and supporting fathers
What Reg does through his extremely rare role as a Black male lactation consultant
How Reg teaches fathers to recognize the signs of postpartum depression and anxiety
Why Reg works to get more Black fathers involved to help save communities and bring others out of darkness
How the stereotype of Black fathers doesn’t match up with the reality of Black fatherhood
How Reg gets his message to the fathers who don’t think they need help and support
What Reg wants Black fathers to know

Resources:

Connect with Reg: Email and Instagram and Podcast

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

241: From Pregnancy Anxiety to Making Impactful Change for New Parents with Anne Wanlund Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

240: The Parental Leave Playbook with Dr. Amy Beacom and Sue Campbell Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

The world of parental leave is difficult to navigate. Understanding your rights, options, and the law can be incredibly confusing. How do you prepare for taking leave, being out on leave, and returning to work? It’s important to look at this issue collaboratively to make it a supportive situation for both the individual and the organization, and better family outcomes follow when BOTH parents have parental leave options. Join us for a closer look!

Dr. Amy Beacom is the founder and CEO of the Center for Parental Leave Leadership, the first full-service consultancy in the US to focus exclusively on parental leave. She conceived of and began developing the field of parental leave coaching and consulting in 2006. Drawing on over 25 years in executive leadership, development, and coaching, Amy consults with Fortune 500 companies, international organizations, working parents, and more, to transform the way companies and our country engage with a parental leave transition. Amy is the co-author of The Parental Leave Playbook: 10 Touchpoints to Transition Smoothly, Strengthen Your Family, and Continue Building Your Career.

Another guest today is Sue Campbell, the co-author of The Parental Leave Playbook. She is a writer, author, and coach who has worked with the Center for Parental Leave Leadership since its early days, helping to communicate the transformative impact of their core mission. Her writing, often focused on issues important to parents, has been published in many outlets, including Prevention, Good Housekeeping, Scary Mommy, and Mamalode.

Show Highlights:

How Dr. Amy and Sue came to this work surrounding parental leave through their journey into motherhood
Why their book is the only resource of its kind
How Sue came into the work around parental leave because of a difficult transition to parenthood
Why parental leave is a systemic issue that employers need to address
Why there is real clash in views about parental leave
Why there are murky layers to figuring out what parental leave is available (Fact: FMLA is NOT paid leave and is not guaranteed to everyone.)
Why their book is written for employees as a “coach in your hand” but applies to managers and HR supervisors also
Why parental leave is a time frame that should be prepared for and planned well
Why collaboration between managers and employees is vital around parental leave
Why grace and kindness are needed regarding parental leave policies
An overview of the ten touchpoints from the book in the three phases of parental leave
Why the book is 100% applicable to each partner–every parent who is welcoming a child
Why equity in caregiving leave for EVERY parent will help remove the unconscious bias in hiring decisions and promotional decisions in the workplace
How perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are decreased when parental leave is in place for BOTH parents
Words of hope for parents from Dr. Amy and Sue

Resources:

Connect with the Center for Parental Leave Leadership: Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Get the book by Dr. Amy and Sue: The Parental Leave Playbook: 10 Touchpoints to Transition Smoothly, Strengthen Your Family, and Continue Building Your Career.

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

239: Pregnancy and Infant Loss with Expert Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

To continue with our focus during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Dvora Entin joins us for her second time on the podcast. Today, she will tell us more about the clinical side of perinatal grief and loss and deepen our understanding of how we can better help those in the grieving process. Join us to learn more!

Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C, specializes in reproductive and perinatal mental health with advanced training by Postpartum Support International, ASRM, and the MISS Foundation in compassionate bereavement. Dvora is a clinical consultant for several non-profits and is a lead trainer for Postpartum Support International. As an adjunct professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, she developed a maternal mental health curriculum for MSW students and teaches Coping with Loss. A recent graduate of the Council For Relationship’s Sex Therapy post-graduate training, Dvora maintains a group private practice in Philadelphia and consults and presents nationally about mental health and supporting those who may be struggling.

Show Highlights:

What people might be surprised to understand about the perinatal grief and loss process
Why experiences in the perinatal loss realm are under-acknowledged and confusing for people
How perinatal loss encompasses so much more than just miscarriage and stillbirth
How our society struggles around loss because we aren’t at all comfortable with death
What the grieving person deals with over times, holidays, and special dates
How Dvora helps clients deal with the fear of unraveling into grief
How partners may grieve a loss and associated trauma in totally different ways
Why grief is difficult when society and culture don’t allow us to experience our feelings
What Dvora wants grieving parents to know about being present and mindful of their loss experience
Why another child doesn’t fully fill the space for–or replace–your baby who died
Why Dvora created a data-driven, compassionate grief course for therapists and others who support those in grief

Resources:

Connect with Dvora: Website

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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

238: Pregnancy and Infant Loss: A Story of Loss, Healing, and Helping others Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

All through October, we are covering stories of those who have lived experiences of pregnancy or infant loss. As always with episodes with sensitive issues, please judge for yourself whether you are ready for this material. Know that the episodes are always available and waiting for you whenever you are ready. If you are ready, join me now for Jen’s story!

Jennifer Burgard is a native of the upper midwest and is a mom to two living children and one who lives solely in her heart. Her titles include loss mom, living mom, wife, founder, podcaster, director, and most proudly–survivor. Upon the death of her second child, Jen set out to fill a gap in accessibility to resources, along with support and community for others also experiencing trauma. With personal experience of her own and her newly formed network, she launched Haven as a service to grieving parents in and around her region. Today, Haven has touched each of the 50 states with their healing gifts, podcast content, and online grief workshops. With a goal to bring awareness and understanding not only to child loss, but our grief culture in general, Jen is creating and building conversations through her podcast called Landscape of Loss. In today’s episode, Jen shares her story and talks about how trauma and PTSD around pregnancy and infant loss can look different from person to person. Her desire is to support families through these losses so they know more than anything that they are not alone.

Show Highlights:

A look at Jen’s story of the loss of her second child, a son, at 39 weeks
How what Jen thought was her water breaking was a bleeding incident that caused her to pass out and undergo an emergency C-section while under anesthesia
How Jen’s husband broke the news to her about the complete placental abruption and the grim prognosis that her baby would not survive due to lack of oxygen
What it was like to only have 13 hours with their son before he took his last breath and then to face the grief process
How Jen began to blame herself and believe she was being punished with her awful fate
How her husband helped bring her up from one of her memorable “rock bottom” moments
How Jen coped with returning to work part-time, learning to function in public, and building up her “muscle” to protect her heart
How Jen’s mind went to ridiculous scenarios and spiraled in new ways that made no sense
How therapy gave her the tools to cope with PTSD and build on the healing that had begun
How to know when you are “OK enough” to help other people–and how this helped Jen heal even more
Why child loss will still make you feel isolated and devastated, no matter how good your support system is
How connecting with others and finding community helped Jen see the way through her grief
The kinds of support that families need for healing and recovery
Why it’s important to talk about our losses and honor the struggles we feel in going through grief
What Haven does to offer healing, support, information, and community
Hopeful messages and helpful tips from Jen

Resources:

Connect with Jen: Website, Facebook, and Podcast

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources!

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

237: Pregnancy Loss: Termination for Medical Reasons Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

Since October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be hearing stories of people’s lived experiences in these losses, along with experts who support families during these difficult times. While we honor all kinds of loss, today’s episode focuses on termination for medical reasons (TFMR), a pregnancy loss that deserves compassion and understanding. Join us for this important conversation with today’s guest.

Sabrina Fletcher helps grieving parents in the aftermath of terminating a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons. Through community, support groups, and holistic healing, her clients learn to cope with grief and find ways to honor their babies. She chose to work with this specific type of pregnancy loss because she lost her baby in this heartbreaking way in 2018. Sabrina shares her story, as well as mental health concerns that accompany a termination for medical reasons. We will discuss the importance of community, the need to cut through the shame and silence in today’s supercharged political climate concerning abortion, and why there is a lack of trauma-informed care for TFMR patients.

Show Highlights:

Sabrina’s story of terminating a very wanted and planned pregnancy with her second child in 2018
How her daughter’s diagnosis of several serious issues came at the 11-14 week ultrasound scan
How the doctor (in her home state in Mexico) was restricted because of the laws and forced her to choose a plan of action immediately
The trauma and frustration that Sabrina went through in making her decision with no support, community, or continuity of care
Why the rate of PTSD in TFMR patients is very high
Why Sabrina decided to work toward providing support for others in similar TFMR situations
Why community is the missing piece for TFMR losses because the loss isn’t acknowledged, recognized, and validated
What Sabrina sees as the emotional impact of the silence and isolation that mothers with TFMR losses feel
How political and religious considerations play into the emotions of TFMR losses
How the shame and stigma around TFMR losses are internalized into emotional distress and hugely conflicting feelings
How Sabrina’s work is supporting people for healing and recovery from TFMR losses