Vikki’s experience with Postnatal Depression and Anxiety Following a Traumatic Birth Part 1

Content Warning:
Cancer, death, losing a parent, mention of miscarriage, perinatal loss

Description:
On today’s episode of the PWO Podcast, Kate Love joins me to share her story of navigating the loss of a parent and becoming a parent herself. 

Highlights: 

1:28 - Kate introduces herself

5:24 - Kate shares her story of her mom’s cancer diagnosis as she became pregnant

10:42 - Grieving and how Kate carries her mom with her and her mom’s passing

16:09 - Death phobia, grief in the Perinatal Period.

28:57 - The timeline of grief, “grief isn’t fixable.”

36:42 - Legacy and grief rituals

42:43 - Being aware of our own mortality and parenting little ones

49:16 - Kate’s advice to people grieving and people supporting those who are grieving

50:37 - Kate’s favourite memory of her mom, Mimi

Resources mentioned in this episode: 
You can find Kate on Instagram @katelovestherapy 

Be Ceremonial App - https://www.beceremonial.com/ 

Book: Crying at H Mart by Michelle Zauner 

Book: When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön

Book: When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown

Book: Grief is Love: Living with Loss by Marissa Renee Lee

Andrea Warnick https://andreawarnick.com/ 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International atwww.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist onwww.psychologytoday.com . 

On today's episode, I am joined once again by Anneke to discuss the stress that the holidays can bring. 
 We chat about the pressures of "the perfect celebrations," the weight of capitalism on gift-giving, and the unique mental load parents carry during the season.

 
Highlights: 
2:03 - Anneke's experience with celebrating holidays 
6:47 - Capitalism and the impact on gift giving as parents
11:52 - Traditions and social norms and how isolating they can be
28:31 - Mental load of parenting and managing holidays

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode, don't hesitate to contact me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca, and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com . 

Content Warning: 
suicidal ideation, CAS involvement

Episode description:
On today’s episode I am talking with Elaine about the often unspoken challenges of parenting with a disability. From discovering her pregnancy at seven months to confronting societal stereotypes and medical assumptions, Elaine's story is a testament to resilience and the power of unwavering determination.

Highlights: 

1:44 - How Elaine came into parenting,
5:24 - Elaine found out she was 7 months pregnant,
10:45 - Doctor’s assumptions about parenting with a disability, seeking out a midwife,
24:35 - Elaine’s support system,
31:32 - Elaine experienced depression during pregnancy and suicidal ideation, she was isolated and felt more alone,
34:50 - Welcoming a second baby, experiencing mental illness postpartum, parenting during the pandemic,
41:04 - Elaine had support from CAS with her first child but wasn’t able to access support for her 2nd child, she received support from Safe Families Canada,
46:35 - Parenting a child with a disability, restrictions in the school system,
57:51 - Advocating for herself as a disabled parent and for a disabled child and burnout,
1:04:05 - How does Elaine’s disability impact her parenting,
1:09:37 - Coming to terms with that Elaine’s “just a parent”, society not valuing paid work,
1:19:26 - What does Elaine think is needed for resources for parents with a disability; finding a community/support groups, more supports for single parents with a disability, connecting to mainstream supports.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Healthy Babies Healthy Children - https://www.ontario.ca/page/healthy-babies-healthy-children-program 

Safe Families Canada - https://safefamiliescanada.com/ 

Living Diverse Podcast CNIB - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cnib-podcast-network/id1548337187  

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com 

Content Warning: c-section, medical procedures, swearing, rage, mental illness

On today’s episode I am talking with Amanda Gurman who hosts the podcast Honest as a Mother, about her introduction to motherhood and the impact on her mental health. Amanda shares honestly and openly about her experiences with postpartum anxiety, depression and rage as well as how her recent diagnosis with ADHD impacts her parenting. Amanda also talks about her recovery and how she supports new parents by talking about the realities of parenting and how she is trying to change the narrative around motherhood. Amanda is an author (check out her books in the show notes), a podcast editor, a mom and an amazing person! 

Highlights: 

1:21 - Amanda’s introduction to motherhood; c-section, challenges with nursing,
6:56 - Changing the narrative around motherhood, not loving the work of parenting,
12:47 - Giving permission to do what works for me,
17:30 - Amanda had her daughter in 2016 and experienced irritability, anger, rage,
22:36 - Feeling not like yourself, intrusive thoughts, 
25:33 - Amanda was diagnosed with postpartum rage,
32:13 - Amanda was recently diagnosed with ADHD, 
37:22 - We all struggle with parenting, now Amanda puts herself first,
39:15 - Relationship dynamics with her husband, husband needed support
43:08 - Coming to terms with the experience of postpartum rage/anxiety/depression,
44:17 - Grief around that period of time,
55:29 - Amanda’s recovery; therapy and ADHD, Amanda started writing, baby’s first birthday,
1:01:33 - Amanda’s writing and podcast Honest as a Mother,
1:09:51 - You’re not alone, it’s ok to not be ok, don’t be afraid to seek help.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can find Amanda on Instagram @amanda.gurman 

You can listen to Amanda’s podcast Honest as a Mother on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/honest-as-a-mother/id1516360281 

You can get Amanda’s Books Honest as a Mother Book 1 and 2 on Amazon (Book 2 was just released in September!) 
https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Amanda-Gurman/author/B0BG8WV4CS?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

And check out Momming Hard that Amanda co-authored

https://www.amazon.ca/MOMMING-HARD-Normalizing-Beautiful-Motherhood/dp/1777017769/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OZHKD4ZN1ZTK&keywords=Momming%20Hard&qid=1669733691&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=m%2Caps%2C827&sr=8-1 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 
You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com . 

On today’s special bonus episode of the Perinatal Wellbeing Podcast, I am thrilled to be joined by a panel of amazing guests, including Anneke Van Den Berg, Gabrielle Griffith, Laine Halpern Zisman, Lisette Weber, and Olivia Scobie. Together for this roundtable discussion, we delve into our pivotal roles in supporting our local communities across Ontario. 

We explore the everyday hurdles and obstacles individuals in these regions face to access vital perinatal mental health services. This candid conversation promises to shed light on the challenges, triumphs, and indispensable support networks that underpin the journey toward perinatal wellbeing. 

Please donate to the Climb here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/healthy-start-healthy-future-inc/p2p/COTDCanada/team/team-ontario-virtual/ 

Highlights: 

0:50 – Introductions 
9:33 – What barriers do you see when trying to access perinatal services? 
16:01 – Cultural norms and expectations. 
20:58 – The importance of educating professionals and caregivers on intrusive thoughts. 
32:12 – Accessibility of perinatal services. 
36:38 – When personal biases influence the care we provide and the impact on service users. 
55:46 – The system for help is broken, and organizations like PWO can better support people. 
1:05:51 – Survivors of trauma: Lack of trauma-informed care, how not to retraumatize. 
1:18:04 – What is needed for change to occur and make perinatal services more accessible? 

You can find our guests on Instagram below:

Gabrielle Griffith @yourqueerdoula
Lisette Weber @togetherwaterloo 
Laine Halpern Zisman @queerconceptions
Olivia Scobie @perinatalmentalhealthtrainings 
Anneke van den Berg @anneke.m.vandenberg 

Please check our directory for supports in Ontario https://www.perinatalwellbeing.ca/ontario-directory. 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode, please email me so I can help you find support in your area or online. 

You can look for an individual therapist at www.psychologytoday.com. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, free online support groups, and a provider directory. 

 Please donate to the Climb here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/healthy-start-healthy-future-inc/p2p/COTDCanada/team/team-ontario-virtual/

Episode Description:

Today’s episode is a special one for PWO’s Climb Out of the Darkness fundraising event. On these 2 bonus episodes we are going to talk about accessing different types of supports in the Perinatal period when we are experiencing symptoms of a mood and anxiety disorder.  

On today’s episode I am so excited to have Amber Sperling talking about the benefits of individual therapy and Kelley Hassanpour about the benefits of group work and group therapy.

Highlights:

Amber Sperling discusses the benefits of Individual therapy:
2:13 - Introducing Amber
2:32 - Amber shares her story of challenges when having her babies
7:06 - Amber moved into working in the Perinatal Mental Health field
8:42 - What is individual therapy?
19:16 - How can people access individual therapy in Ontario?
27:06 – Transition between segments

Kelley Hassanpour discusses the benefits of Group Therapy:
27:10 - Introducing Kelley
27:37 - Kelley’s experience with PPA, accessing private therapy and how to do that
30:29 - Finding a therapist that aligns with your values
35:17 - Kelley’s shift in her professional life, developing groups for new parents
39:46 - What does Kelley see that clients take away from groups
43:39 - The benefits of our NICU therapy group

You can reach all of our guests below:
 Karin Thoms
Instagram @karin_pwo
Email: peersupport@perinatalwellbeing.ca
https://www.perinatalwellbeing.ca/group-peer-support
Dr. Niki Nephin
Website https://nikithenaturopath.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nikinephinND/
Instagram @nikithenaturopath
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine https://ccnm.edu/
Kelley Hassanpour
Website https://www.parentingfromwithin.ca/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParentingFromWithin
Instagram @parenting_from_within_
Amber Sperling
Website https://www.ambersperling.ca/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081392572507
Instagram @amber.sperling.rsw
Allison Flynn-Bowman at Life With a Baby
Website www.lifewithababy.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LifeWithABaby
Instagram @lifewithababy
You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

 Please donate to the Climb here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/healthy-start-healthy-future-inc/p2p/COTDCanada/team/team-ontario-virtual/

Description:
Today’s episode is a special one for PWO’s Climb Out of the Darkness fundraising event. On these 2 bonus episodes we are going to talk about accessing different types of supports in the Perinatal period when we are experiencing symptoms of a mood and anxiety disorder.  

Highlights:
Karin Thoms discusses the benefits of Peer Support:
2:13 - Introducing Karin
2:55 - Karin story with PPD PPA; accessing individual therapy after 1st and 2nd baby,
5:13 - Accessing peer support and the magic of group support,
11:06 - Karin describes the peer support program that she accessed,
14:12 - Karin’s peer support work through PWO,
17:59 - What advice would you give to someone who’s hesitant to reach out for help?20:28 – Transition between segments
Dr. Niki Nephin discusses the benefits of Naturopathic Support:
20:33 -  Introducing Niki
21:17 - The challenges that Niki sees when accessing PMH supports in Ontario
24:22 - Approaching perinatal mental health support with a naturopathic doctor including:
24:46 - Systems approach
26:00 - Physical support
35:10 - Looking at what was going on before baby and how that shows up postpartum
39:50 - How the system is not working for us
46:46 - How can people access a Naturopathic Doctor if finances are a barrier
50:34 – Transition between segments
Allison Flynn-Bowman talks about Life With a Baby and grassroots fundraising:
50:30 - Introducing Allison Flynn-Bowman – what brought her into this work.
57:48 - What is LWAB – Life With a Baby?
59:42 - What is coming up for LWAB
1:03:18 - What is the Climb Out of the Darkness campaign?
1:10:32 - The struggles with fundraising for grassroots organizations

You can reach all of our guests below:
Karin Thoms
Instagram @karin_pwo
Email: peersupport@perinatalwellbeing.ca
https://www.perinatalwellbeing.ca/group-peer-support
Dr. Niki Nephin
Website https://nikithenaturopath.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nikinephinND/
Instagram @nikithenaturopath
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine https://ccnm.edu/
Kelley Hassanpour
Website https://www.parentingfromwithin.ca/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParentingFromWithin
Instagram @parenting_from_within_
Amber Sperling
Website https://www.ambersperling.ca/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081392572507
Instagram @amber.sperling.rsw
Allison Flynn-Bowman at Life With a Baby
Website www.lifewithababy.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LifeWithABaby
Instagram @lifewithababy
You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

Gabriella Carafa, MSW, PMH-C is a social worker, psychotherapist and consultant working with people in the perinatal period experiencing mental health issues as well as parents with disabilities. Gabriella welcomed her daughter 2 years ago and then at 3.5 months postpartum lost her sister to an opiate overdose. Gabriella shares her story of love and loss while trying to juggle adjusting to parenthood and grieving the loss of her sister simultaneously. I’m so grateful to Gabriella for sharing her story in a vulnerable and authentic way.   

Content Warning: Death, grief, opiate overdose, substance use/misuse, addiction, trauma

Highlights: 

1:52 - Gabriella introduces herself and how professional and personal lives intersect

4:09 - Gabriella shares her story of becoming a parent and about her relationship with her sister

10:00 - Feeling guilt about her sister’s journey and passing (might have to edit some out here)

13:59 - Gabriella’s postpartum experience and heightened anxiety

17:41 - Gabriella’s sister passed away

24:14 - Grief in the postpartum period and having to be grateful because there was a baby 

38:48 - Having compassion for her sister and herself

44:23 - Grief in the perinatal period related to loss and becoming a parent

52:15 - How losing her sister impacted her postpartum period

1:06:04 - Grief rituals and making meaning post loss

1:17:05 - Gabriella shares her favourite memories of her sister

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can reach Gabriella by email at gcarafa.rsw@gmail.com

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

 If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com . 

Content Warning: Medical procedures, c-section procedures, physical functions, swearing, gendered language, poop talk, swearing

To say that I’m excited for today’s episode would be an understatement. This is my dream episode because I just want to be real about the physical changes that come with pregnancy, birth and post birth. I love real talk and I love humour and Anneke brings both of those into whatever she does. Anneke van den Berg is a mother of 4, who made her home in Canada over 15 years ago. Originally from the Netherlands, adjusting to life in Canada was difficult and lonely, but it has become home. Mental health has been a struggle for her throughout all her pregnancies and postpartum, partly due to isolation and being an immigrant. Using these experiences to relate to others, parents specifically, has given her a sense of purpose and helped her healing process. There is SO much more we want to talk about but here is what came up in today’s episode! Let us know your thoughts and what you would love other expecting parents to know!

Highlights:  

3:21 - Constipation postpartum and fear of a bowel movement postpartum

9:27 - C-section healing; Anneke had a c-section wound 

16:20 - Impact of motherhood as martyr on processing our birthing experiences

20:20 - Physical changes to our body postpartum; our organs going back into place, contractions during nursing 

29:17 - More about the motherhood as martyr impact on us and how this translates to feeling guilt and pressure as a pregnant person

38:45 - Intimacy postpartum

49:12 - Periods changing after babies

53:16 - Pregnancy symptoms getting worse with each pregnancy

59:22 - Final thoughts on what we want people to know about pregnancy and postpartum

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can reach Anneke by email at annekepwo@gmail.com. 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com . 

Content Warning: fat phobia, labour interventions, COVID delivery, birth trauma, post-birth hemorrhage 

On today’s episode, Chelsey Creed shares her experience of having her first baby as a plus size person and the fat phobia she faced from her midwife. Chelsey’s experience is so relatable in that a lot of gestational parents face fat phobia in their care and this has a big impact on how they feel about and relate to their bodies and their pregnancy journeys. Chelsey also talks about delivery after COVID hit, her experience as a first-time mom delivering a baby including induction, pain relief options, the impact of fat phobia on her care during delivery, and the scary experience of hemorrhaging post-delivery. Chelsey shares her story in an honest and open way and talks about how she approached the delivery of her second child. Thank you to Chelsey for shining a light on fat phobia in perinatal care!

Highlights: 

1:29 - Wanting and looking for a midwife for obstetric care

3:38 - Covid hit at 28 weeks; worrying about hospital policies for delivery, end of pregnancy during Covid

8:41 - Delivery started; not being informed about procedures and being told “you don’t know because this is your first baby”

15:45 - Midwife stated she couldn’t deliver baby because she didn’t write down her pre-pregnancy BMI, induction started and very intense and unable to move around due to interventions

22:25 - Chelsey went into freeze mode and was unable to advocate for herself

25:51 - Pain relief; morphine, epidural and how it felt

30:17 - Transferred care to OB from Midwife and getting to 10cm

32:10 - Pushing with no guidance and not being able to feel contractions

34:03 - Baby arrived after 3 hours of pushing, midwife thought baby would be big

45:08 - Post delivery; bonding with baby, tired, felt good

46:58 - 7 hours postpartum Chelsey started hemorrhaging, feeling very scared and helpless again, midwife said “I knew this would happen, but I was too tired so I went home”

50:12 - Midwifery care postpartum; baby lost too much weight had to transfer to pediatrician, decided to end midwifery care, was able to complain to midwife clinic

1:02:13 - Impact of this experience on her 2nd birth, Chelsey advocated for a new midwife and what she wanted in her care plan and labour and delivery plan and it was a healing experience

1:06:37 - Having a doula made a big difference in her support, thinking about mental preparation for 2nd birth

1:11:05 - Birth trauma is not your fault, you deserve quality care, you’re not alone, Chelsey went to therapy to process her experience. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online. 

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory. 

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com .