18. Postpartum Mental Health with Andrea Wetterau, LICSW, PMH-C

The postpartum period is often painted as a time of joy and bonding, but for many moms, it’s also a time of struggle. Birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, and depression affect so many women, yet they often go undiagnosed or untreated. In this episode, we chat with perinatal mental health expert Andrea Wettero about the realities of postpartum mental health, how to recognize when you need help, and what you can do to start the healing process.

Today we dig into:

• [1:20] : Andrea intro, she shares her birth trauma
• [3:50] : Taking care of your mental health after pregnancy
• [9:00] : Parasympathetic nervous system and breathing techniques
• [12:28] : Other techniques to get back to a parasympathetic nervous system
• [16:29] : Identity shift when becoming a parent and self care
• [22:58] : Coping skills that work well for parents with little children
• [25:42] : Signs and symptoms to reach out for support

Postpartum mental health struggles are common but not talked about enough. Whether you’re experiencing birth trauma, postpartum depression, or anxiety, you are not alone, and help is available. Healing takes time, but with the right support whether it’s therapy, medication, coping strategies, or a mix of all three—you can feel like yourself again.

You can follow Andrea on Instagram @nurtured.and.embodied.mama. Check out her website wetterauwellness.com.

We talked about Postpartum Support International. Their hotline is 1-800-944-4773 (you can also text the word 'help' to this number!). You can check them out on Instagram @postpartumsupportinternational.

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