Treating Symptoms of Postpartum Depression with Social Support & Connection
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition that affects many new mothers. It can be caused by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the stress of adjusting to life with a new baby. While postpartum depression can be a serious condition that requires medical attention, there are also several non-medical strategies that can help […]
When to say “Yes” and when to say “No” illustrations by Sophie Lucido Johnson
Amazing illustrations by Sophie Lucido Johnson, artist, author, and New Yorker cartoonist. Check out more of her work on her personal page. Sometimes a picture (or 6, in this case) is worth a thousand words. Lucido illustrates the difficult work of identifying, accepting, and communicating your own needs.
“Enough”
As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to pose a question to you. How often does the fear of “scarcity”, of not having or doing enough drive your decisions and guide your emotions? Did I do enough? Was I a good enough mother? Did I show up enough for my family and […]
The many, many costs of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isn’t free — and it isn’t a solution to the national baby formula shortage. By Aubrey Hirsch, Vox “According to estimates by Inc. Contributor, Amy Nelson, the amount of time spent breast-feeding in a year is nearly equivalent to the hours worked in a full-time job. Only there’s no pay. When you tell lactating parents […]
Recommended Readings for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting and often overwhelming time full of change, anticipation, and for many – some pretty uncomfortable physical sensations. For anyone looking for emotionally attuned literature that is also grounded in research, check out the recommended readings below! “There is no right or wrong way to be pregnant, to become a mother, to […]
Recommended Readings for the 4th Trimester
Once the baby is born, the last thing you probably have on your mind is finding time to sit down with a good book. The first 3 months after birth can feel like a whirlwind, but it can also be a time to practice slowing down. Reading can be a wonderful coping tool to manage […]
Losing Myself – Surviving PPD Again
“Having a baby is a psychological revolution that changes our relation to almost everything and everyone.” –Esther Perel Only once in my life have I experienced the type of suffering that I did after my daughter’s birth. And that was when I first became a mother. I thought perhaps I’d be spared from postpartum depression […]
Hormones – what’s happening in my body?
I often hear women sharing their experience of feeling “out of control” during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Of course there are many contributing factors to the ups and downs experienced during this time, but hormones have a lot to do with it. They function like your body’s chemical communication system, traveling through your […]
Dialectical Thinking for Moms
Dialectical thinking is a concept that comes from Dialectical behavior therapy (or DBT), a treatment developed by psychologist Marsha Lineha Is it a spoon or a fork? It’s a spoon AND a fork…It’s a spork! I’m always looking for easy-to-understand ways to explain “dialectical thinking”. This type of thinking is intended to support us when […]
Intense and Traumatic Births
Birth can be one of the most intense and powerful experiences in our lives, and many women feel compelled to share their stories in the days and weeks following delivery. We spend so much time planning and preparing for our birth experiences. We have hopes, dreams, and expectations of what we want it to be. […]