Mom and Mind | Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Latest Episodes:

156: Bedrest and Our Mama Village with Jessica Vanderwier Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

If you’ve ever had to be on bed rest during pregnancy, then you know it’s not as simple as it sounds. It takes intention to get through it with your mental health intact. Today’s guest, Jessica Vanderwier was on bed rest and she’s here to share how this experience impacted her, along with her best advice about how we can better support moms on bed rest.

Jessica Vanderwier is a registered psychotherapist from Guelph, Ontario, who is passionate about supporting families. She is known online for Our Mama Village, a platform where she shares daily pieces of encouragement and support for moms and families. Jessica started this page after she went through a difficult transition into motherhood, and saw the need for a supportive community that moms would access anytime they needed. In her therapy work, Jessica supports families from preconception to working with children with mental health concerns. In her private life, Jessica loves her role as a mom and wife and spends her time with her husband and two-year-old daughter.

Show Highlights:

Jessica’s pregnancy: started normally, even though she was still working 40-50 hours/week
At 20 weeks, cramping began, and she felt terrible after overdoing it planning a Christmas party, so she headed to the hospital to get checked
The first clue that something serious was wrong at the hospital was the way the nurses kept repeating internal exams and ultrasounds--with no explanation why
The nurse insisted that Jessica get in a wheelchair, so panic set in, with still no reason for the concern
The diagnosis was incompetent cervix, preterm labor, and early dilation; the on-call Ob said the next step was bed rest to take the pressure off her cervix
Jessica’s instructions were to be on the couch or in bed with her feet up all day, only getting up for brief bathroom breaks
Why it was a difficult mental adjustment to have no work and no purpose other than to rest all-day
How Jessica tried to keep a schedule each day in moving from bed to the couch, reading, books, and even taking an online course
When she reached 34 weeks, her restrictions became a little more flexible; she was allowed to do dishes and ride in the car with her husband
Her full-term birth was an answer to prayer, but then she entered a postpartum time of anxiety
How she navigated life after bed rest
How she felt like those who had helped her during the bed rest were burned out, so she didn’t ask for postpartum help
At four months postpartum, Jessica decided to ask for help
The frustration when the doctor discounts your postpartum feelings of anxiety and depression
How this frustration fuels Jessica’s work today with moms
How she got sleep, help with childcare, and therapy to feel better
How Jessica looked for ways to help other moms
Our Mama Village began as a Facebook page where moms could go for hope and encouragement and know they aren’t alone
Why Our Mama Village has grown because the need is great and the message needs to get out to moms
Jessica’s advice to others on bed rest:
Be gentle with yourself
Find something that gives purpose and meaning to each ay
Find ways to talk and connect with your baby
Schedule each day so they don’t roll along indefinitely
Have something each week to look forward to
Seek professional support, even if it’s online therapy
Jessica’s online course (coming soon) with effective tools for dealing with anxiety and simple strategies to help moms enjoy motherhood

Resources:

Our Mama Village

Instagram: Our Mama Village

Facebook: Our Mama Village

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155: Supporting Muslim New Mothers Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

Dealing with perinatal mental health issues is a difficult enough task, but the problem is compounded for Muslim women living in the US. My guest today helps us understand the issues and how we can best support these moms.

Dr. Venus Mahmoodi specializes in trauma and reproductive mental health. More specifically, in today’s show, she’ll tell us about perinatal mental health for Muslim women, including the rates of depression for the Muslim community in the US, what makes them particularly vulnerable to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and how we can support Muslim women in a culturally competent way. Dr. Mahmoodi completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University in California, with an emphasis on women’s neuroscience and health through collaboration with Stanford University. Her clinical training included working with refugees and torture survivors, veterans, and perinatal women in a specialized, intensive outpatient program. Her dissertation focused on the perinatal experience of Muslim women living in the US, including the protective aspects of Islamic practice during and after pregnancy against depressive symptoms. Dr. Mahmoodi completed specialized training through Postpartum Support International, and advanced specialized training in grief/loss and distress related to infertility at the Seleni Institute in NY. She now cares for individuals and couples at the Seleni Institute, which focuses on perinatal mental health as well as the Haleel Center, which focuses on the mental well-being of Muslims.

Show Highlights:

Why the percentages of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders increase for women of color, including Muslim women (up to 28%), but there are lower levels of support, services, and resources
How culture and religion play huge roles in the Muslim population
The unique challenges for Muslim women, including issues with their country of origin, because their practices will differ from those in other countries
The far-reaching effects of Islam in countries around the world, with Indonesia and South Asia having the largest numbers
The misconceptions that Muslims only come from Middle Eastern countries
How the two sects of Muslims differ in how their religion is practiced and expectations for pregnancy and postpartum
Societal pressure and family pressure within the Muslim community
How family traditions in pregnancy and postpartum can lead to stress and anxiety for moms
Religious practice and prayer restrictions in the Muslim community
Other coping strategies that Muslim women can use when they are restricted from prayers
Feelings of inadequacy for the Muslim mother
How The Haleel Center finds ways to incorporate religious thought and women’s expectations
Vulnerabilities for Muslim women in gender roles and stigmas for patriarchal societies
Strengths for Muslim women in that religion protects them against mental illness, helps them cope with and manage stress, and gives them a sense of connection to God
How we can support Muslim women in culturally competent ways by being curious and avoiding assumptions

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Resources:

Counseling Muslims: Handbook of Mental Health Issues and Interventions Edited by Sameera Ahmed and Mona M. Amer

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154: "Scared To Be A Grandma" Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

Everyone eagerly anticipates becoming a grandparent, right? Think again. There are various reasons why you might be apprehensive about achieving this milestone in life. The truth is that it’s not socially acceptable to admit these feelings. People may shrink away in horror if you dare to confess being hesitant about what you are supposed to embrace with unbridled joy. In today’s show, we are diving deeper into this hush-hush topic.

Dr. Shoshana Bennett was the very first guest on the podcast for Episodes 1 & 2. She very graciously came on when I was new at this, and she tolerated my fumbling around and my poor sound quality, too! I’m so grateful to have her back as the first guest to kick off the 3rd year of the Mom & Mind podcast. This time, she’s bringing the perspective of being a new grandmother with her own history of postpartum mental health challenges. This is such a necessary conversation, especially as the field of perinatal mental health grows, and we are recognizing and treating the conditions more. As those mothers develop into grandmothers, this will be something to consider for that time of life.

Affectionately known as “Dr. Shosh,” she educates, engages, and empowers her audiences while discussing serious and often uncomfortable topics using humor, the latest research, solution-based protocols, and firsthand knowledge she gleaned after experiencing life-threatening postpartum depression. After two life-threatening bouts of postpartum illness, Dr. Shosh helped pioneer the field of maternal mental health. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, became president of California’s state organization, Postpartum Health Alliance, and then served as president of Postpartum Support International. She is the author of Children of the Depressed, Postpartum Depression for Dummies, Pregnant on Prozac, and is the co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety. She is an executive producer of the documentary, Dark Side of the Full Moon, and co-founded the Postpartum Action Institute. To date, Dr. Shosh has helped over 20,000 women around the world recover through private consultations, teleclasses, and support groups. At the time of this interview, Dr. Shosh wasn’t a grandmother yet but became one on June 5. In spite of anxiety and scary thoughts, she’s been able to enjoy her grandson and watch her daughter have a totally different postpartum experience than she did.

Show Highlights:

Shosh reads her recent article, “Scared to be a Grandma”
What she heard when she submitted this article to various publications
How Dr. Shosh is breaking ground in the field of reluctant grandparenting, just as she did with perinatal mental health back in the 1990s
The difficulty in understanding that a grandmother may be apprehensive
The fascinating feelings in the grandparent experience
Why Dr. Shosh has been getting therapy support in preparing for her grandchild
Embracing the whole journey to grandparenthood
Finding ourselves and identifying what needs to unfold to deal with our feelings
The importance of starting the conversation and being honest without judgment
Maintaining the connection between parents and new grandparents
Shosh wants to hear your comments, questions, and thoughts! See her contact info below!

Resources:

Dr. Shosh

Email: drshosh@drshosh.com

Dr. Shosh’s books:

Children of the Depressed

Postpartum Depression for Dummies

Pregnant on Prozac

and Beyond the Blues

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Bonus Episode: 3 Years of Mom & Mind Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

Today’s show is a bonus episode as we celebrate our 3rd anniversary! It’s been an adventure and a learning process along the way. I’ll admit that I had no clue what I was doing when we started, or what was involved in doing a podcast, but I knew we needed to get information and resources out there to moms and families. So now, after 152 episodes, I’m proud of how far we’ve come on the journey---and we’ll keep going to get the word out to even more moms and families in the future!

Show Highlights:

The incredible details of the podcast’s reach: we’ve had 240,000 downloads in over 75 countries!
The facts that show the need: 20% of new parents will experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, so we still have a lot of work to do
How I got started without knowing anything about podcasting
The rewarding feeling from the feedback, knowing the show has helped listeners
The benefit in sitting and sharing with each other
The intensity of our heavy topics and episodes
Why I don’t want anyone to feel alone in this struggle
The expenses involved to keep the show going, along with our new fundraising efforts
Information about the new Monthly Mom and Mind Collaborative

Resources:

Patreon for Mom & Mind Podcast

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152: Body Image in Pregnancy and Postpartum Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

I first heard today’s guest when she appeared on Rebecca Scritchfield’s Body Kindness podcast, and I couldn’t wait to get her on the show! We’re talking about body image in the perinatal period and why we should be talking more about it. We’ll discuss her research, the roles of self-compassion and mindfulness, and some wonderfully helpful resources.

Dr. Jennifer WEbb is an associate professor in the Department of Psychological Science and a core member of the Health Psychology Ph.D. program clinical faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received her baccalaureate degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from Harvard, went on to complete her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychologist at the University of Southern California, and did her postdoctoral fellowship training in Clinical Health Psychology at Duke Integrative Medicine. Her research program is informed in culturally and body diverse groups. Her particular emphasis involves the enhancing of the integration, dissemination, and accessibility of evidence-based, mind-body approaches to strengthen embodied self-regulation, positive body image, and wellbeing among women during the developmental transitions of young adulthood, pregnancy, and the postpartum.

Show Highlights:

How researchers are playing “catch up” in the field of body image and how it’s affected by mood and anxiety during milestone periods
How negative body image 3 months postpartum and during pregnancy can increase the chances and severity of depressive symptoms later on
The definition of body image: how we think and feel about our bodies, how they move, and how they function
The impact of sociocultural pressures and the media and social media messages that we get during pregnancy and postpartum times
Western notions of what pregnancy and postpartum body should look like: a narrow portrayal, thin ideal, and a constrained approach
Why we need more cross-cultural research across diverse groups of women
Obsessiveness around body image can even come from well-meaning healthcare providers
The concepts of body surveillance and disordered eating
The importance and impact of conversations with healthcare providers, which offer a huge opportunity to help with the reframing process
A “health at every size” perspective and non-dieting, weight-neutral understanding
Fighting against the “get your body back” messages that our society gives women during the postpartum
How researchers define the elements of positive body image:
Appreciating and accepting the body as it is
Respecting the body through active self-care
Protecting the body from negative messages
What it means to show acceptance to ourselves and our bodies as we go through changes
Lisa Rubin’s research on women during pregnancy and how appreciation for our bodies can help during pregnancy and postpartum and become a lifestyle commitment
How mind-body practices can help
How Jennifer’s research suggests that mindful self-care was negatively related to negative body image and depressive symptoms in a sample of women
Other ways to support women: intervention work, collaboration, guided self-help, and a focus on wellbeing and not diet culture

Resources:

Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield

Breathe, Mama, Breathe by Shonda Moralis

Mindful Motherhood by Cassandra Vieten

Books by Dr. Marjit I. Berman

Expecting Mindfully by Sharon Salzberg, Sherryl H. Goodman, and Sona Dimidjian

Body Confident Mums`

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151: We Are In This Together May 27, 2019

Show notes

As we approach the 3rd anniversary of the podcast in June, I’ve been doing lots of reflection about the journey we’ve taken and what we’ve accomplished. Your feedback has been vital in letting me know that the show has a positive impact and is meaningful to many people. The underlying message in everything we do is that no one is alone on their parenthood journey---and that message will continue.

Show Highlights:

How the podcast was born out of my suffering and healing process with postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD
The reality: no one is immune from these postpartum problems---even a therapist like me
Why normalizing postpartum mental health issues is important for every mom and dad
How depression and anxiety lie to us in sneaky ways
How you’ll try to bargain with yourself, convince yourself that nothing is wrong, and blame other stressors in your life
Why depression screening questionnaires don't’ always work, because we often refuse to come to terms with our condition
How a connection to others with the same experience gives relief and validation
How the healing process occurs over time
How therapy, self-care, and connection to others can bring healing
How I can look back now and see the risk factors that I overlooked
What I would have done differently to prioritize my sleep
The importance of prevention information to help prepare and educate new parents
What’s coming up in June for the show: a slight change in format

Resources:

Email us: info@momandmind.com I’d love to hear from you!

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150: Postpartum Psychosis and the Law May 20, 2019

Show notes

Postpartum psychosis is a sensitive topic that we’ve talked about on the show, but today we are taking a deep dive into the legal ramifications of the journey for a mother. The more we understand, the better foundation we have for advocacy.

George Parnham is a soft-spoken attorney who once trained for the priesthood, and was thrust into the national spotlight through representing such high-profile clients as Andrea Yates and Clara Harris. Parnham has practiced law for 43 years in Houston, Texas, specializing in criminal defense. He has become an expert on the defense of individuals with mental illness and a passionate advocate for legal reform of their treatment in the criminal justice system. Parnham is called upon frequently by local and national news media, as well as state bar organizations, to render an opinion on mental health. George has an unmistakable passion and concern for these mothers and their families.

Show Highlights:

How George was drawn into the postpartum psychosis field with the Andrea Yates case
How “murder” in the mother-child relationship differs from any and every other scenario and must be treated differently by an attorney
Why some lawyers in these cases might be hesitant to reach out to experts
Mental illness is the underlying cause of the legal and moral wrongs committed by these mothers (this is the crux of what the defense attorney has to explain to the jury)
Why the mother’s history, even back in early childhood, can be causal
What a defense attorney has to accomplish in the trial:
Put the jury in the eyes of the mom on trial
Convey all aspects of the circumstances to the jury
Counterbalance what has been disclosed by law enforcement to the public
A glimpse into the mental state of a mom after a postpartum psychosis incident
The best case outcome for a postpartum psychosis case
What happens if the defendant pleads insanity and the jury accepts that plea
The tedious legal steps that a defense attorney has to take
The status of Andrea Yates and her treatment today

Resources:

Email George: georgeparnham@aol.com

Find George and his practice: Parnham And Associates

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149: Perinatal Women with Chronic Medical Condition May 13, 2019

Show notes

Struggling to conceive, enduring a pregnancy, giving birth, and caring for a new baby are all parts of a challenging process. Inevitably there are hiccups along the way for almost every mom, but living with a chronic illness makes things even more difficult in the process of motherhood. My guest is here to discuss the unique dynamics and challenges a mother might face and some common misconceptions we may not understand.

Jenna Daly is a clinical social worker with certifications in Perinatal Mental Health, and she works in private practice in southern Maine. She primarily works in perinatal and parental mental health, as well as perinatal loss and grief. Her interest in perinatal and parental mental health was fostered by her work as an oncology social worker at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, known for its cognitive-existential and motivational approaches. She also promotes articles and other information regarding perinatal mental health and all aspects of parenting.

Show Highlights:

How a medical condition impacts perinatal mental health for moms who may have already struggled
How a mom with chronic illness may already have a medical team in place and have had to advocate for herself
For these women, their choices are already limited, and their power is taken away, which can lead to increased stress
One concern around advocacy for your medication during pregnancy is whether it’s safe for the fetus
Why some women report feeling adrift after the baby’s arrival
The mindset differences between promotion and prevention
Don’t let yourself be pushed into positivity, but own your decisions
Identity shifts in a system that overmedicalizes you
The burden of managing an illness AND a pregnancy
The likelihood of anxiety and depression is higher for the chronically ill
The concern of a genetic condition being transferred to baby
Standout strengths: the ability to reframe and find meaning with optimism and hope
Diabetes and gestational diabetes as examples
How we can better support those with a medical condition
Where our personal bias and misconceptions come into play
How it’s hard to know what the experience is like
When the postpartum is not what you thought it would be
Hopeful messages: how the internet has helped people build community and normalize the experience

Resources:

Jenna Daly LCSW

Facebook: Grounded Parent

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148: Maternal Mental Health of Asian Indian Mothers May 06, 2019

Show notes

We are taking a closer look at the cultural aspects of maternal mental health for Asian Indian mothers. There are barriers to finding and receiving mental health care that bear similarites to many Asian cultures. We also hear how culture impacts the motherhood experience. How can we best support them and to seek the help that’s available to them? We’re covering these topics and more in today’s show.

Dr. Deepika Goyal is a Professor of Nursing at San Jose State University and a family nurse practitioner who is passionate about maternal mental health, specifically for women of Asian Indian descent. Dr. Goyal’s research adds to the postpartum mental health narrative regarding Asian American women’s experiences, mental health help-seeking behavior, and preferred management of postpartum depression. Her research findings provide clinicians with the information they need to provide culturally-informed care to promote optimal maternal-child well-being outcomes.

Show Highlights:

Goyal’s research from 2001-2002 on postpartum depression, regarding sleep disturbances, infant temperament, marital satisfaction, and social support---all with American women of Indian descent
More than half of the women who responded to Deepika’s survey said they had experienced depressive symptoms
Mental illness and depressive symptoms are very stigmatized in Asian cultures
The range of symptoms are anxiety, “baby blues,” postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis; there are more mainstream policies and awareness now, but the changes haven’t occurred as quickly in Asian cultures
Asian women have a fear of someone in their family finding out, bringing shame to the family, and being seen as a weak woman----if they report postpartum depressive symptoms
The most concerning piece Deepika found was that the women wouldn’t seek help until it was a last resort, and they are very much against medications to help their symptoms
Why mental health care is seen as a personal failure
Why women are beginning to be more open in seeking help, especially those who have been in the US longer
The importance of at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep for a new mom, and the impact on mental health
Some of the postpartum cultural practices of Asian American women:
A female relative comes to stay with the new family for 3-4 months
30-40 days of rest at home after birth, with no household duties or leaving the house
Herbs are used that improve breast milk production and healing, in addition to special foods rich in fats and healing properties
The importance of equipping women DURING pregnancy with information about symptoms and how to know when to seek help when symptoms become more severe
Similarities in cultural practices for women from India, China, Korea, and Vietnam
What we can do to best support Asian American women in the postpartum
How a therapist can understand and best offer help to these women
How mom’s health can benefit the baby’s health, and mother-baby bond, and the child’s cognitive and language development
What Deepika wants to do in the future with non-pharmacologic interventions, especially in the area of sleep

Resources:

Postpartum Support International

Deepika Goyal

Selected Works of Dr. Goyal can be found HERE

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147: Taboo Postpartum Truths - When Expectations Don't Meet Reality Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

We’ve talked a lot on the show about postpartum depression, but there’s another condition that new moms experience that carries much shame, and no one talks about it. It’s called postpartum regret, and it’s that feeling of dissatisfaction and unhappiness with the demands of motherhood and the changes that come with this life transition. We’re talking about how to identify this condition and what to do to pull yourself through it.

Marissa Zwetow is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in prenatal and postpartum counseling. Marissa became passionate about helping mothers prepare and adjust to a new baby after experiencing postpartum depression. She understands what it takes to be on a healing journey to find acceptance, meaning, and happiness in the role of motherhood.

Show Highlights:

Marissa’s personal journey as she struggled with the transition into motherhood and knew she needed help
How she identified postpartum regret as the feeling of regret at becoming a mother, but no one was talking about it
How the shame, embarrassment, struggle, and disappointment can lead to postpartum depression
Why Marissa wanted validation for herself and other moms who hated being a mom and were saying, “I don’t like this”
How she went through an identity crisis in becoming a mom
A look at Marissa’s 12 Taboo Postpartum Truths:
Lack of bond with the baby during the “golden hour”
A baby that’s not easily soothed
Breastfeeding is not always wonderful
A mother may experience grief for her past life
Why Marissa wishes she would have sought help and taken antidepressants sooner
Solutions to postpartum regret:
Find your tribe and know that you’re not alone
Get help any way you can
Redefine what being a mother is to YOU
Why moms need permission to figure out how they can best show up in parenting that works for them