EP 19: Maternal Mental Health in a Western Culture [PART 2]

sensitive content warning: miscarriage; maternal mental health; details of birth & labor, including birth & labor trauma; intrusive thoughts; thoughts of suicide/suicide ideation; thoughts of harming others; self-harm; hallucinations; loss

2:15 Greetings from Di

2:50 What are Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders and why did the term Postpartum Depression get updated?

10:31 “If I would have known then what I know now, my birth experience would have been different” D.B.

24:06 “Why I am on the Board with Thrive Wellness Collective”; running out of medication and not wanting to “bother” the therapist over the weekend; experiencing a wrongful 72-Hour-Hold at the hospital and not being able to leave to get back to babies

27:14 Horrifying statistics re: Maternal Mortality Rates in the US; have a birth advocate, no matter what kind of birth you are planning

30:07 Postpartum Health Alliance to connect to a warm-line (real human) and get help in connecting to support groups and relevant therapists trained in PMADs. If no insurance, call anyway! Can connect with other resources available

31:02 Postpartum Support International for support specific to your needs e.g. support for BIPOC parents, support in another language, support for Queer Families, Single Mothers Groups, etc

31:44 Center for Mens Excellence, with Dr Daniel Singley in San Diego, offering support for fathers

32:02 How can I support loved ones experiencing PMADs? Just assuming that mothers are fine, focus is on baby

33:23 the power of sharing our stories

34:31 the importance of space holding and allowing the grief to be felt and recognized, however it shows up

36:12 Institute of Reproductive Grief in San Diego

39:00 the many jobs we do when being Mother; the importance of finding your Motherhood Community

43:38 Mothers and the importance of being able to express and name real life frustrations in parenting; breaking down the caricature of Mother that our Western Society has created

47:25 “how can this happen to me?” the risk factors of PMADs

49:45 Maternal Sleep Deprivation in PMADs

You can tune-in to my complimentary guided Yoga Nidra meditation for deep sleep rest and support with the sleep cycle. Weekly listening is encouraged. Practice while laying comfortably in bed, on the couch, or on a yoga mat. This restorative rest practice can have tremendous supportive benefits on the body and mind.