Therapists are under unique pressure to “have it all together” when pregnancy and parenthood challenges come along. The truth is that no one is immune to these challenges, and therapists experience the same struggles as anyone else. Join us as today’s guest shares her experience in becoming a parent and adjusting to her role in motherhood. Veronica Eyo is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker. Her passion is to help all moms navigate the challenges of parenthood. She transitioned into her practice of working primarily with mothers after her first pregnancy, and her experiences led her to seek specialized training in working with moms of color. Supporting mamas through various walks of life is what grounds Veronica, and this passion influenced her dissertation as she researched student mothers’ success in institutions of higher learning.  Show Highlights: Veronica’s experience with her first pregnancy and not holding space for herself as she was for her clients How her daughter’s birth became a whirlwind after a four-day labor and C-section that left Veronica feeling like a failure How her allergy to penicillin resulted in problems for her and her daughter The painful memories of the rocky four-day period in the hospital and not even remembering meeting her daughter for the first time How the breastfeeding difficulties compounded Veronica’s feelings of failure How Veronica learned to focus on “one next step” to keep going with the help of a therapist friend How motherhood became a struggle for Veronica because of the standards she set for herself Why no one around Veronica knew how much she struggled Why Veronica had a difficult time letting other people hold her baby How Veronica found support through Mommy and Me, even though there weren’t other moms there who shared her cultural heritage How Veronica felt about being a stay-at-home mom for a year and then going back to work How Veronica felt guilty and ashamed at first when she took time for herself How Veronica feels that she has changed so much as a mom over the last four years, stepping into her role as a mother as the result of deep work Why “one small thing” has become Veronica’s life motto Why Veronica didn’t stick to her Mexican cultural tradition of 40 days of rest after childbirth because she found it difficult to accept help; with her second and third children, she found it easier to let people help her The need to get correct messaging out there that it’s OK for mothers to take breaks, take time for themselves, and ask for help What Veronica wants other moms to know: “No one has it figured out--and that’s OK. There isn’t ONE right way to do things, so you can decide what works best for you and your family. Your community is important, whether it’s on social media, podcasts, or taking time for self-care. Just take one step at a time.” Resources: Dr. Veronica  Find Veronica on Instagram.

Mom & Mind

213: An Undiagnosed Postpartum Depression Turned Into A Therapist's Passion

Today’s episode turns to pregnancy and infant loss as we acknowledge October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. We want to spend time honoring all parents who have experienced this unique type of loss. Everyone who experiences a pregnancy or infant loss goes through the grief in their own way and at their own pace, and there are specific ways that we can offer support. Let’s dive into this difficult subject together. Show Highlights: Why you owe no one an explanation about how you feel, why you feel it, or how long you feel it. Why people very often don’t know what to say for a number of possible reasons Why some people may choose not to share openly about their loss Why shame, blame, and trauma accompany this kind of overwhelming loss How we can help erase the stigma, silence, and isolation that many people feel after a loss How it’s common to experience worry and anxiety in trying to become pregnant again after a loss How grief is not a linear process that begins and ends but affects multiple aspects of life How dates become significant in loss for many people, but others may feel awkward about remembering Why it’s OK to tell people to ask how you’re doing, check in on you, help remember the date, etc. Many great supports are available; check out our Resources section below! Resources: PSI  Check out the therapist directory, free support groups, and more! Return to Zero: Hope  Check out the many resources! Pregnancy After Loss Support  Sisters in Loss on Instagram Dr. Jessica Zucker  I Had a Miscarriage by Jessica Zucker Star Legacy Foundation Mom & Mind Loss-Related Episodes: 208, 206, 200, and 188--Visit Dr. Kaeni.  

212: Pregnancy and Infant Loss

We are talking about how partners are affected and transformed in their journey into parenthood. Fathers need support and education just like mothers do. Join us to learn more! Scott Mair lives with his wife and seven sons in the UK. He’s here to share how he started supporting new fathers through their journey to new parenthood. Scott is on a mission to set up parental mental health support for parents and promote awareness of paternal mental health. He’s a member of the Paternal Mental Health Alliance, mental health campaigner, trained peer-to-peer leader, team member of the perinatal training CIC, and qualified Beyond Birth mental wellbeing practitioner. In today’s episode, you’ll hear key informative points from Scott about how we can support fathers in the transition to parenthood, as well as how our outdated views of fathers negatively impact men in their transition into fatherhood. Show Highlights: How Scott got started in the field of paternal mental health through the traumatic birth of his seventh son just over two years ago How anxiety began building during his wife’s pregnancy with the seventh son, after almost losing her and his son in the previous birth How Scott was getting his mental health wrong for years, culminating in the circumstances around the difficult two births How approached his local hospital about the need for education for dads about mental health and the realities of parenting How the UK is ahead of the US in its long-term plan for perinatal mental health How Scott offers support for fathers through charities supported by the NHS How mothers and fathers can need support differently, even with the same birth of the same baby How Scott convinces men of the need to talk about their mental health and parenting issues The myth of masculinity and why we need to work to create a world where men can freely show emotions and vulnerability The pressure on moms and dads in pregnancy and parenting How Scott learned to assist his wife and support her as a breastfeeding mom How to model compassion and authenticity in allowing children to feel emotions and express their feelings Scott’s best tips for new parents: Be the parent YOU want to be--not the one society tells you to be. Drown out the noise and opinions of others; try your hardest and find what works best for YOU. Find time for each other as a couple. Make time each day for a brief check-in with each other and enjoy the small moments together. Resources: Connect with Scott: Twitter: @scottmair9 Instagram: @pmh_support

211: Support for Men's Mental Health in Fatherhood

Today’s show focuses on your relationship during pregnancy and the postpartum period. My guest shares her experience through postpartum depression and anxiety and the effects on her marriage. We are covering what you need to know--but no one has told you--about the entry into parenthood. Join us! Kara Hoppe is a psychotherapist, teacher, feminist, and mother. She has spent more than a decade as an inclusive therapist working with individuals and couples toward healing and growing toward becoming grounded, integrated people with better access to their own instincts, wisdom, and creativity. Kara offers workshops for parents and expectant couples based on her book, Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents. She lives with her husband and son in Pioneertown, CA, and sees clients in private practice via telehealth. In today’s conversation, Kara helps us understand how new parents can navigate the unexpected changes in their relationship, including how to communicate, how to maintain intimacy, and how to grow together as a new family.  Show Highlights: Kara’s experience with postpartum depression and anxiety through the birth of her son and thought the disconnect was just “normal” How her husband noticed the shift in her and urged her to take time for herself How the relationship changes for Kara brought discomfort and “dizzying vulnerability” in needing her husband so much From her husband’s perspective, it felt good to be needed in a different way and be a necessary partner in parenting--but there were frustrations from his end Why the postpartum aspect is hard to understand when you’re in the middle of it and requires a “big picture” approach Why Kara decided to write a book to help other couples, and how she brought in Stan Tatkin to help How Kara and her husband got back to relationship intimacy on every level to strengthen their marriage How parenthood brings many opportunities for misattunement and hurt within a marriage How Kara teaches secure functioning from attachment theory, which is based on trust, safety, and security How the micro-moments of mistake can be repaired to return to intimate connection Why the couple relationship must come first when the baby arrives How the child gains security by seeing parents taking care of each other’s needs How Kara wants to empower couples to co-create the life they want as equal partners From Kara’s book: how her chapter on sexual intimacy covers navigating the conflict over “touching” How the non-primary parent can offer care without over-touching How to reframe your needs into words that communicate to your partner without blame or attack How Kara’s couples retreats teach skills for repairing your relationship and cultivating increased intimacy Hopeful messages from Kara: “Partners who get support in understanding themselves and what they do can take responsibility and make changes. Awareness is key, and we can teach that.” Resources: www.karahoppe.com  Find Kara Hoppe on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents by Kara Hoppe and Dr. Stan Tatkin Find Dr. Stan Tatkin on Instagram and Facebook.  

210: Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents with Kara Hoppe, MFT

Today’s episode is an important one in the field of parental mental health. Unfortunately, fathers are often overlooked in many aspects of parenthood and family dynamics. To build strong families, we need to involve all parents in the path to parenthood and in providing family-supporting resources. Join us to learn more! Jane Honikman, M.S. co-founded Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP), co-founded the Postpartum Action Institute, and founded Postpartum Support International (PSI). Jane is the author of several parenting support books: Community Support for New Families; I’m Listening: A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families; My Diary: A Postpartum Journey from Pain to Purpose; Postpartum Action Manual: How to Provide Comfort, Encouragement, and Guidance to New Families; and Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers. She was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, and has lived in Santa Barbara since 1970. She and her husband have three adult married children, eight grandchildren, and a cat. Show Highlights: How Jane looked to her mother as a role model but didn’t follow conventional social rules as she became an adult How fantasies about life can set you up for failure and disaster Why Jane was involved in the movement to make mothers and fathers equal partners in parenthood in the 70s How family mental illness and her personal trauma pushed Jane into her work with parental mental health The flip in inequity with what we’ve done to men and their feelings What we should change regarding fathers How Jane partnered with Dan Singley to write Factoring in Fathers Why men today struggle to identify role models in manhood and parenthood How postpartum mental illness affects men in different forms than women How pediatricians can do more in parental mental health with the whole family Available resources for fathers How mental health clinicians can do better in their work with families Why the postpartum period never really comes to an end  Resources: Instagram: (@parental_health)  Twitter: Parental_Health Factoring In Fathers Jane’s books: Community Support for New Families I’m Listening: A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families My Diary: A Postpartum Journey from Pain to Purpose Postpartum Action Manual: How to Provide Comfort, Encouragement, and Guidance to New Families Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers by Jane Honikman and Daniel Singley

209: Parental Mental Health - Factoring in Fathers with Jane Honikman

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

208: Perinatal Loss, Black Women, Birthing and Protecting Wellness

Today’s episode covers the personal story of a mother who has been through postpartum anxiety, severe colic, and complicated family transitions. Through her difficulties, she has thrown herself into learning about perinatal mental health challenges, supporting herself, and helping other families. Christine Carrig is the director of Carrig Montessori School in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Montessori certification. Christine has trained as a postpartum doula through both DONA and Ayurvedic Mamas. Most recently, Christine founded The Family Flow, a community that offers online courses for parents of young children, with the aim of helping parents understand and support their children so they can guide them through the messy terrain of development. Christine lives in Queens with her husband and four young children. Show Highlights: In 2012, Christine’s first daughter was born after a wonderful pregnancy As a new business owner of a Montessori school, Christine pushed herself too hard as a new mom and was shocked at her hypervigilance and how it depleted her energy How Christine noticed that her daughter was extremely sensitive and easily overwhelmed by her emotions and frequently overstimulated; she also had sleep issues In 2015, her son was born after a more challenging pregnancy for Christine, and she felt like there was a cloud over her all the time How her daughter started showing harmful aggressive behavior toward the baby and Christine to the point she feared being alone with the two children How Christine felt inadequate to walk through this terrain of transition with her daughter to the point that she felt like a failure as a mother How Christine’s relationship with her own mother changed and left her feeling unsupported and isolated in an extended period of estrangement between them How her newborn son’s fussiness and vomiting escalated into full-blown colic, and Christine drew strength from her husband’s calm optimism How an interaction with her sister gave Christine a new perspective on her situation When her son’s colic settled down around nine months, she sought help from acupuncture, therapy, and learning more about her daughter’s unique needs When Christine became pregnant again, she feared a repeat of her postpartum experience, so she took maternal mental health training and listened to the Mom & Mind podcast, trying to make a different plan for herself and her older two children How Christine took physical and emotional space after the birth of her third child to authentically bounce back and learned to ask for help With her fourth baby, she hired a postpartum doula to help and learned how to ask friends and family for specific help How she made her basement her “recovery cave” and took some “sitting in” time, which left her recovered, steady, and calm as a new mother of four children How Christine helps other families through her Mindful Parenting program at her school and her online classes Resources: The Family Flow 

207: Christine's Story Through Postpartum, Anxiety, Colic, Stress, and Healing Through it All

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

206: Healing After Miscarriage, Birth, and Postpartum Anxiety

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

205: Destigmatizing Intrusive Thoughts with Dr. Nichole Fairbrother

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_  

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

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  

203: When Pregnancy Isn't "Magical": Anxiety, Depression and Treatment with Actress Liz Musucci

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   

202: Coping with a Fetal Diagnosis and Supporting New Parents through Occupational Therapy

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 Calm 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: Preorder the book at West side Books: The Calm Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques by Katayune Kaeni  

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

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: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Turner Publishing Co Authors: Dr. Huong Diep Meridith Resnik, LCSW    

200: Multiple Pregnancy Losses - Impacts on Mental Health and Subsequent Pregnancies

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   

199: Personal Experience with Postpartum Depression: Insights about Babies' Language Development

Posptartum Depression is real. And it's only part of the story. We dig in to ALL of the stuff that no tells you about, but you NEED to know. Dr. Kat, Psychologist and specialist in perinatal mental health, interviews moms, dads, experts and advocates about how to cope, manage and recover from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We talk about postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and SO MUCH MORE! We get real. We get honest. We put on our stigma crushing boots and address the realities of the transition to motherhood and parenthood. Learn about it before you find out about it the hard way! You don't have to suffer! www.momandmind.com

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Mom & Mind

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