When you’re pregnant and early postpartum, everything’s new and feels different. Your body, brain, and relationships. Plus, you’ve got new stressors on your system—lack of sleep, a baby’s cry that feels like a siren’s wail, and less time to cope with it all. All of these changes can make it hard to tell the difference between “normal worry” and a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD), like postpartum anxiety or depression.
In today’s episode, we’re speaking to Sarah, a mom of a now-toddler. She’ll share her journey with postpartum anxiety, talk about how she sought and got help, and how she found hope and eventually re-discovered her “colour” after baby.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Being in your toddler mom era
- When motherhood feels like the biggest part of your identity (right now)
- Crying in front of your kids (over literal spilled milk)
- Making tough decisions around pregnancy, breastfeeding, and medication
- Not quite fitting the box of the postpartum depression screen—and how to advocate for yourself with your healthcare provider
- Talking to other parents about your experience—finding the courage to be vulnerable when you’re embarrassed or nervous to share what you’re really feeling
- “Normal mom anxiety” vs. Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)
- Worst-case-scenario thinking and intrusive thoughts
- Conversations to have with loved ones and healthcare providers before having a baby to prepare for potential changes in your mental health
- Breastfeeding and mental health
- Finding ways to get out of the house during maternity leave, including resources and ways to connect with others
- Going back to your pre-baby job and exploring different parts of yourself/your brain
- How to check in on new parent friends
- Getting your “colour” back postpartum
In this episode, we reference:
