Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

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206: Healing After Miscarriage, Birth, and Postpartum Anxiety Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

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

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205: Destigmatizing Intrusive Thoughts with Dr. Nichole Fairbrother May 31, 2021

Show notes

Anxiety and intrusive thoughts can be horrifying experiences for new parents. My guest is making significant contributions to the field of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the areas of research and education. Join us to learn more about her work.

Today’s guest is Dr. Nichole Fairbrother, a registered psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor with the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychiatry in British Columbia, Canada. She is the head of the UBC Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab, and her research is in the area of perinatal mental health with a focus on anxiety disorders and epidemiology. Dr. Fairbrother directs multidisciplinary studies to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorders among pregnant and postpartum women. Much of her work is focused on understanding the relationship of mothers’ intrusive thoughts, OCD, and mothering behaviors, and she is actively involved to bring awareness, help, and education to women around the world.

Show Highlights:

Nichole’s research around anxiety and intrusive thoughts
How her personal experience of unwanted intrusive thoughts at the birth of her first child prompted her research
The first small study (only 100 women) showed what women reported about their dark feelings and intrusive thoughts
How the study was later replicated with a larger group of 2000-3000 women to help with prenatal education
One of Nichole’s current projects: an animated educational video about intrusive thoughts and harmful behaviors
Why intrusive thoughts are scary and stigmatizing for most women
The evolution of thoughts that lead to increased protectiveness as parents of newborns
Why unwanted intrusive thoughts in the postpartum and usually accompanied by OCD behaviors
Nichole explains the rates of perinatal OCD and the risk for new moms
How we can help by providing prenatal education to help mothers recognize the intrusive thoughts
How Nichole is working on developing a cognitive behavioral treatment program and is seeking funding to develop the first training module
The ongoing study and how you can participate along with all major English-speaking countries in the world (they are looking for about 3000 women who are up to three months postpartum)
Messages of healing from Nichole: “Recovery is absolutely within reach if you’re suffering from anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I see people’s faces change when they realize that they are not alone in this.”

Resources:

Website and social media links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

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204: Cultural Narratives in Motherhood, Immigration and Perinatal Mental Health May 17, 2021

Show notes

As we continue to celebrate Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, we take a deep dive into the cultural factors that affect perinatal mental health. Today’s guest shares how she’s working to support black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) through the perinatal mental health journey as they transition to parenthood.

Divya Kumar is a South Asian-American psychotherapist with a public health background specializing in perinatal mental health, trauma, and anti-oppression work. Her work connects clinical services with public health by addressing unmet needs in direct perinatal mental healthcare and the structure and delivery of perinatal support services. She is one of the Co-Founders of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color, a program within Postpartum Support International, and a Commissioner on the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression in Massachusetts. She also writes about the intersections of race, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Divya joins us to discuss how culture and immigration impact perinatal mental health.

Show Highlights:

What Divya wants us to know about her work that helps parents and families in the BIPOC community
The relief that comes when someone can relate to your cultural background without needing to hear all the details
How our thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about our culture affect our narratives, even down to self-care and what we think about seeking support
Why many cultures glorify struggle and suffering for mothers to the exclusion of needing self-care, support, and help of any kind
How it brings tension to the family when a first-generation immigrant who becomes a mother chooses to go against cultural norms
Why following the narrative for mothers to “just try harder” only creates more self-blame and guilt
The pieces of loss that complicate the transition to motherhood when cultural assimilation means abandoning important cultural practices and traditions
The sense of grief and loss that comes in deciding which cultural traditions to continue on with your own family
How culture shows up in daily parenting, even in small details like teaching kids to manage feelings and emotions
How cultural narratives interact with perinatal mental health in areas of gratitude and shame
How to reduce shame and guilt by unpacking the story down to its roots
Divya’s “BothBrownAnd” philosophy in feeling and validating emotions
The myth of “Happy Mommy/Happy Baby”--and why it doesn’t work
Why the idea of choosing how to mother can be extremely difficult and also transformative at the same time
How to cultivate the voice of self-compassion in sustainable ways
Why motherhood is a process and a journey that each person can create
How Divya works with clients with gentle and compassionate curiosity
Parting words from Divya: “Your parenthood story is still being written. We sometimes feel stuck between two places in the non-linear path that takes us through parenthood. You don’t have to have all the answers. Seeing someone with an empathic stance to how you were raised can make all the difference.”

Resources:

Connect with Divya

Instagram: @bothbrownand_

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203: When Pregnancy Isn't "Magical": Anxiety, Depression and Treatment with Actress Liz Masucci May 03, 2021

Show notes

We can all draw strength and community from the stories of others. Today’s guest uses her talents in acting, producing, and writing to inform and educate people about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Her overriding messages are that everyone deserves help and support so they don’t feel like she did, isolated and alone.

Elizabeth Masucci is an actress, producer, and writer based in NYC. She started in theater and then began working in TV and film. Liz has starred on several TV shows such as Elementary, Royal Pains, and Public Morals, which was produced by Ed Burns and Steven Spielberg. She now mostly produces her own projects with a company she started with a friend. They have a few TV shows in development, one of which is a dark comedy about women struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders at a maternal mental health center. Since Liz struggled with PMADs while she was pregnant with her daughter, she uses this creative outlet to share her story and spread support and information to others. She is also the mom of a little boy who was born last December.

Show Highlights:

How Liz experienced depression and anxiety in her first pregnancy in 2018
Because she had no information and no support, she felt confused, and her emotional swings and rage spiraled out of control
How she saw a reproductive psychiatrist who prescribed medications, when Liz really wanted to explore further the why and what of her experience
How she discovered the Motherhood Center in NYC through Postpartum Support International and signed up for the day program, which turned out to be a lifesaver
How the varied aspects of support in the group therapy program helped Liz feel more stable and supported, along with Prozac
How Liz transitioned later into her postpartum with the same support from the center
What it was like in the beginning when realized that “something wasn’t right;” she felt tired, unmotivated, and totally overwhelmed with the normal tasks in preparing for a baby
How Liz felt about telling others about her struggles
How Liz immediately felt much better after giving birth
The hesitancy and questions around taking medications during pregnancy
How Liz felt during her second pregnancy, when she continued on medication; it was during the pandemic, but she had an easy postpartum period with no dark places
Why Liz wanted to share her experience as an outlet for her and a way to help others
Liz’s projects: a TV show about PMADs and group therapy, and a film about postpartum psychosis
Why there is such stigma and misunderstanding around PMADs and postpartum psychosis
What Liz wants others to know: “When you’re pregnant and in the postpartum, your body is going through a lot. Things will come up, so don’t ignore them. Don’t feel shame, but find the resources available to help you.”

Resources:

Liz Musucci

@lizmasucci on Instagram and Twitter

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202: Coping with a Fetal Diagnosis and Supporting New Parents through Occupational Therapy Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

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

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201: The Pregnancy Workbook with Dr. Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Are you ready for my big announcement? I wrote a book! I’m so excited to tell you all about it in today’s show. The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques is out on May 4, and it’s available for preorder now!

The book is written in a relatable tone that will help you feel supported in your pregnancy journey. It’s full of usable tools to help deal with anxiety during pregnancy and over 60 skills that you can implement right away. Each chapter includes useful information, techniques, and coping strategies to ease anxiety during pregnancy and help you find peace and calm with proven therapeutic methods. The goal of the book is to help you feel guided and supported through pregnancy and the postpartum.

Show Highlights:

Why the writing process was a new and fascinating experience for me
Why the book is dedicated to my daughter, the one who has taken me on the growth journey into motherhood
Why it was a big challenge to decide what to include and what to leave out of the book as I honed in on the basics
How writing made me look at therapy from a different perspective as I slowed down and thought deeply about my work with my clients
How the book’s nine chapters cover topics like intrusive thoughts, anxiety, pregnancy loss, high sensitivity, and skills for relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness
Why information for partners is included, along with help for the postpartum period
Why the writing process was a challenge with my perfectionist tendencies and high sensitivity
How I used therapy and a coach-mentor to help me process “the stuff” that came up during the writing process
How the Pomodoro technique helped me chunk the work into small tasks to get things done
How I pulled out my woo-woo techniques to help me be more mindful and calm
How writing the next book will be easier because of what I’ve learned through this experience
Why writing a book has taught me so many things about myself

Resources:

Wherever books are sold! The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques by Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., PMH-C

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200: Multiple Pregnancy Losses - Impacts on Mental Health and Subsequent Pregnancies Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest shares her personal story of recurrent pregnancy loss, including early miscarriage and multiple ectopic pregnancies. She shares how her mental and emotional healing journey led to the writing of a book.

Kim Hooper is the author of several novels; her latest is No Hiding in Boise, which comes out this June. She and her co-authors wrote All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss as a mix of personal stories plus information and awareness from the clinical side. The book covers topics like reconnecting with your partner after loss, considerations for LGBTQ couples, trying again after loss, coping and healing, and racial, cultural, and socioeconomic issues. I’m thankful for Kim’s willingness to share her story of multiple losses, healing, and what it was like to finally give birth to a healthy baby after her long journey.

Show Highlights:

Kim’s complicated journey to motherhood:
1st pregnancy in 2015 ended as an ectopic that required emergency surgery
2nd pregnancy was a missed miscarriage when the embryo stopped growing
3rd pregnancy was a miscarriage at 17 weeks when her son’s heart stopped beating
4th pregnancy was another ectopic, and the doctor said it was “just bad luck”
5th pregnancy was totally normal and resulted in the birth of her daughter in 2017
How Kim tried to figure things out and get answers in her desperation
The mental and emotional roller coaster of recurrent losses and pregnancies
How Kim experienced anxiety, anger, and denial
How Kim found support in unexpected places
How to reconnect with your partner in the aftermath of pregnancy loss
Why most men and women don’t grieve in the same ways
The statistics: couples who experience miscarriage are 22% more likely to break up than couples who haven’t had a miscarriage
How Kim and her husband were able to talk about their grief and recover as a couple
How Kim personally turned to therapy and journaling to help her with the trauma
The roundabout healing journey through grief
The intensely personal aspects of grief and healing
What Kim has learned about dealing with grief
Details about Kim’s book and who it’s written for

Resources:

Connect with Kim:

Co Authors:

Meridith Resnik, LCSW

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199: Personal Experience with Postpartum Depression: Insights about Babies' Language Development Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

It’s always helpful to hear someone’s personal story because it will resonate with many more people than they might think. My guest today shares her experience with postpartum depression, which was made even more shocking because it occurred several months after the birth of her second child. Join us to hear Emily’s story.

Emily Adler Mosqueda has become a fierce advocate for mothers since experiencing postpartum depression several months after her second daughter was born. It’s different with a second child because a mother receives much less support than with her firstborn. Emily talks about how she realized the signs of her postpartum depression, along with how her profession has been affected. She is a bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist, Associate Clinical Professor, and Lead Clinical Supervisor at the Young Child Center with the Communication Disorders and Sciences program at the University of Oregon HEDCO Clinic. Emily is the mother of two young daughters who teaches graduate students about parental mental health factors as they relate to communication disorders.

Show Highlights:

Emily’s story of postpartum depression with the birth of her second daughter:
Cruising along with confidence until eight months postpartum
Depleted in every way and sleep deprived, Emily finally took a leave of absence from her job to address her postpartum depression and begin regular counseling, acupuncture, and writing
How Emily learned to ask questions and research to find answers and educate herself
How Emily’s husband, a Chinese medicine physician, was able to relate her symptoms to her pregnancy and postpartum
Key contributing factors for Emily:
The tendency toward depression that she kept secret
Cumulative sleep deprivation
Cultural influences about motherhood and perfectionism
The pressure to “have it all together” with a second child--and not need help
How Emily has learned to value her needs and feel free to express them
How Emily felt that her care providers missed the signs and didn’t take the opportunities to ask about her wellbeing
Why Emily worried about the language development of her second daughter and took steps to provide early intervention
How Emily’s experience with postpartum depression has intersected with her career as a speech-language pathologist who is training grad students to be aware and intuitive
A broad overview of language development in kids
Tips for parents to support language development by interacting verbally, labeling items, talking about daily tasks and activities, reading books, and giving intention to being more talkative with your child
How writing her memoir helped Emily heal

Resources:

Connect with Emily: Emily Adler Mosqueda

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198: Pressure of Perfectionism in Motherhood Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

Do you identify as a perfectionist? Do you feel like things need to be a certain way and if they aren't, you feel unsettled? How did that affect you when you were trying to conceive, during pregnancy, birthing or postpartum?

This is one of those things that really impacts the early stages of motherhood and parenthood (and all stages really). In this episode, I talk about the dynamics that I see with the mamas that I help...and one that I struggled with in my postpartum...and still work on managing. I touch on how it even impacted the recording of this episode.

Some of the things we address on this episode...

*The struggle with feeling the need to be perfect

*It seems that perfectionism often comes with a high sense of morality and conscientiousness - I believe that this makes intrusive thoughts even more unbearable.

*Perfectionism often develops as a way to cope and manage life. But that way of coping goes head to head with the challenges of new parenthood.

*The stress of perfectionism, can make getting help feel hard. Help can feel SLOW or inadequate.

*Accepting that we can't be perfect is very hard, and it's part of the key to healing.

If you identify with any of this, take a listen to the episode, give yourself a big hug and please know that this is not a judgment of you. Please know that you can find a new way to cope that is more forgiving to yourself.

If you'd like, please check out the blog post on the Postpartum Support International Blog that I mentioned: Soul Level Crisis

Please pass this episode along to any person who could benefit!

If you haven't yet subscribed to the podcast head over to www.momandmind.com

We welcome ratings, reviews, sharing the podcast and spreading the word about perinatal mental health! Lets crush this together!

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197: Burnout and Managing Overwhelm with Dr. Kat Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

How are you? Sometimes it’s hard to check in with ourselves in the busy-ness of daily life, especially in these pandemic days when our self-care options are limited. High stress, depression, and anxiety tend to feel like personal failure. In today’s show, I want to offer you perspective and encouragement.

Show Highlights:

How to interpret your feelings during moments of stress
How to approach the new considerations brought on by the pandemic: masks, social distancing, virtual connections, etc.
Why life is hard in many ways right now for most people
Tips on how you can feel better:
Remember that you are resilient
Getting help is NOT failure
Honor your exhaustion by taking a break and setting boundaries
Check in with your sleep, eating/hydration, hormones, and stress
Turn “What’s wrong with me?” into “What’s going on for me?”
Take time to reflect and allow space just to BE

Resources:

Check out the Mom & Mind Online shop at Mom And Mind.

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