Podcasts about what no one tells you a guide

The journey from trying to conceive, to pregnancy, to postpartum, can be the most beautiful time of someone's life, but also the hardest, and that's where finding the right support is key. Dr. Catherine Birndorf is a reproductive psychiatrist, the co-founder, CEO, and Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York, and the Founding Director of the Payne Whitney Women's Programme at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is also a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology, and the author of multiple books, including What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood. During this episode, we dive into a huge variety of topics, including perinatal, mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS), medication, and more. From how to know when something is wrong and where to seek the necessary support to understanding treatability, we cover it all. Thanks for listening!  

It's not just you. You're not crazy. You're not a bad mom. You're not alone. These are words and deep beliefs that resonate through and form the backbone of today's guests, Catherine Birndorf, MD, and Paige Bellenbaum, LMSW. Catherine and Paige are dedicated to changing the perinatal mental health terrain, and they do it through The Motherhood Center, a place of radical acceptance, nurturance, and individual and group support. On today's episode, we pull back the curtain on motherhood and redefine what is considered "normal" and "typical". With PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) being the #1 complication associated with birth and the #2 cause of maternal mortality, this is a critical conversation. On today's episode, we unpack why it's so important that we talk more about these conditions, how to do your best to prevent PMADs, and what to do if you or someone you love has symptoms.      Aviva, Paige, and Catherine discuss:    The definition of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) and the different diagnoses that fall under the PMAD umbrella  What PMAD taboos still exist today, why this needs to change, and how Roe v. Wade affects these taboos  Paige and Catherine's personal stories with perinatal mood disorders and what brought them to the point of specializing in PMADS and opening the motherhood center  The kinds of physical and psychological feelings and symptoms associated with PMADs and signs birthing people and their providers should watch out for  Why we need to move in the direction of making it mandatory for OB-GYNs, midwives, pediatricians, and any providers who come in contact with newer expecting mothers to begin educating their patients about PMADS and screening for symptoms   The effects of the pandemic, social isolation, and potential cultural contributors on PMADS   The role of medication and psychotherapy in treating conditions    Catherine Birndorf is a reproductive psychiatrist and the co-founder, CEO, and medical director of The Motherhood Center of New York. Dr. Birndorf is the founding director of the Payne Whitney Women's Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics & gynecology. Dr. Birndorf was a regular mental health columnist for Self Magazine and has appeared on numerous television programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and CNN. She is the author of The Nine Rooms of Happiness and What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood.         Paige Bellenbaum is the founding director and chief external relations officer at The Motherhood Center of New York. For the past 20 years, she has worked in public policy, advocacy, and clinical care with various populations, including homeless families and incarcerated young adults. She drafted legislation in New York State championed by Senator Liz Krueger, mandating hospitals to provide education on PMADs and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers, signed into law in 2014. She has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NPR, PBS Newshour, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.    For more information or to reach out visit themotherhoodcenter.com or call (212) 335-0034.  Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation. 

Matana Jacobs is a mental health advocate, an online business owner, and a podcast host. She shares her story about how her world came crashing down, and the steps she took to slowly build it back up. We discuss mindfulness, gratitude, and the consistent work required along the path toward wellness.MATANA'S CONTACT INFORMATIONPodcast Website // Business Website // Instagram Matana's book recommendation:What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to MotherhoodShe also recommends the author's TED Talk.RESOURCESPostpartum Support International 24/7 Warmline - 1-800-944-477324/7 Crisis Text Line US - Text 741741 Canada - Text 686868 UK - Text 85258 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 Hotline - 1-800-273-8255Please subscribe, leave a review, and follow Postpartum Perspectives on Instagram.You are important, your wellness is a priority, and your mental health matters.

Today on the show we welcome Dr. Catherine Birndorf, Co-Founder and Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York. Dr. Catherine is also co-author of the books, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood and The Nine Rooms of Happiness, and associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine. She’s been featured on many national television networks and published in various magazines.

Alexandra Sacks M.D. is a renowned Reproductive Psychiatrist and the leading expert on “matrescence,” the developmental transition into motherhood. She's the co-author of What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood and the host of the Motherhood Sessions podcast.Together Hilaria, Daphne and Dr. Sacks discuss the realities of transitioning into motherhood and how it's completely normal (and expected) for every mom to be unprepared for the emotional and physical changes that take place as they become first time mommys. They delve into the natural insecurities, fears and challenges this new stage of life brings for every mother as they step into this new roll, and how there is a whole period of growth and learning that must happen, much like adolescence for young teens.If you feel you're suffering from postpartum depression and need help visit https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-moms/ or call 1.800.944.4773Favorite Things:Dr. Sacks: Lavender OilHilaria: The Prophet by Khalil GibranDaphne: Inno Gear 500 ML Aroma Therapy Essential Oil Diffuser Cool Mist Humidifier and Young Living Essential Oils ImmuPower and ThievesEmail us with your questions at mombrainpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram, just search for @MomBrain. We answer a lot of your questions on there! Check out videos of our episodes on our new YouTube channel!

This time, I am really exposing myself and getting raw with my fears and concerns with my life as a mother. I talk with Alexandra Sacks, M.D. who is a Reproductive Psychiatrist, co-author of “What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood“ and the host of Motherhood Sessions, a podcast from Gimlet Media. During this phone call, I share my deepest secrets about how I REALLY feel about being a mom, if I want to have another kid and Timmy and I’s differing parenting styles. This therapy session truly opened my eyes and brought me a lot of relief.

Elizabeth is joined this episode by Dr. Sacks who is a reproductive psychiatrist.  She sheds light on the transition from pregnancy to motherhood and how the feelings of change are a normal part of the transition.  They talk mom-guilt, matrescence and educating around motherhood.   RESOURCES INSTA - @alexandrasacksmd   FB - @AlexandraSacksMD   Alexandra Sacks M.D. is a Reproductive Psychiatrist, co-author of What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood, and the host of Motherhood Sessions. 

#110 — Redefining Motherhood: Matrescence and Debunking the Myth of the Perfect Mother What do we call women who experience emotions ranging from completee joy to anxiety to ambivalence in new motherhood? In the words of Dr. Alexandra Sacks: totally normal. In her work studying “matrescence”, or the identity transition to motherhood, Dr. Sacks shines light on the wide range of these normal emotions that tend to be hidden from public view. Some of these very normal and natural feelings include: fear of childbirth, disappointment in learning your child’s sex, not enjoying the work of childrearing, feeling disconnected to your baby or your partner (or both!) during what you thought was supposed to be a deep bonding moment, and much more. If you’re like me, this podcast will leave you feeling much less alone and much more aware of the complexity of your own experience in motherhood.   Alexandra Sacks, MD is the leading expert on “matrescence,” the term that defines and captures the transition to motherhood that is as demanding and transformative as adolescence. She is known for popularizing the concept in her TED talk as well as the New York Times article “The Birth of a Mother.” She is the host of Motherhood Sessions, a podcast released in April 2019 by Gimlet Media, and coauthor of What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood. On today’s episode, we get to talk with Dr. Sacks about the range of psychological experiences that women encounter during pregnancy and new motherhood — from joy and bliss to anxiety and guilt. She also tells us why these experiences are totally natural and normal for a period of such dramatic identity shifts as well as hormonal, bodily, and relationship changes. “Going through a diversity of emotions doesn’t necessarily mean you have postpartum depression. It’s the natural course of matrescence,” she explains. She breaks down the harmful myths of motherhood and opens up space for a conversation full of nuance, paradox, and honesty. In our culture, it’s time to redefine motherhood and show the broad range and spectrum of emotions, feelings, and experiences that accompany this huge transition and journey in your life. Becoming a parent means that all of your relationships shift, that a new person is joining your family, and you are responsible in a way that you might not ever have been before. If it feels like a lot, that’s okay, because it is a lot. IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT Dr. Sacks’ transition from studying postpartum depression to focusing on the diversity of emotions experienced naturally in matrescence. Matrescence as an extended phase of all women’s lives, including women who choose not to have children or who experience infertility, and Dr. Sacks focused work on the period of pregnancy and the first year of motherhood. The Bliss Myth and other honest stories we’re missing about motherhood. The harmful trope of the “bad mother” as the cornerstone of evil characters in myth and popular culture. The idea of the “Good Enough Mother” as permission and guiding light f --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/startuppregnant/message

There’s a new model of care available to moms and new families. The Motherhood Center in NYC hopes to be the prototype for superior support and services for other facilities around the world. Today’s show highlights this center and the important work being done there in perinatal and postpartum support.   Dr. Catherine Birndorf is cofounder and medical director of The Motherhood Center in NYC. It’s the first of its kind as a treatment center for pregnant and new moms who are experiencing anxiety and depression. There aren’t many centers like this one, offering holistic and long-term care. We’re going to hear how The Motherhood Center is providing unique care and how Dr. Birndorf is changing the face of perinatal mental health care.   Dr. Birndorf is the Founding Director of the Payne Whitney Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Birndorf is a board member of Postpartum Support International, a non-profit organization for awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing worldwide. For 10 years, Dr. Birndorf was a regular mental health columnist for Self Magazine, and has appeared on numerous TV programs, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, MSNBC, CBS Evening News, and CNN. Her first book, The Nine Rooms of Happiness, which she co-authored with Lucy Danzinger, was a NY Times bestseller, published in 2010. She has co-authored with Alexandra Sacks, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood, which will be released in April.    Show HIghlights:   How Dr. Birndorf blends her two interests, obstetrics and psychiatry, into what she terms “reproductive psychiatrist,” to help women before, during, and after birth How she got into this field and began teaching it as a subspecialty at Cornell The passion and fire for women’s health Her other endeavors in related fields and services The importance of getting the information out about simple things like medications while pregnant, etc. Parts of the Motherhood Center’s work, like consultation services and frontline provider information How the Center began in NYC in 2014-2015: “a NOT feel like a hospital place” How patients feel like they are being mothered How the Center caters to moderate to severe perinatal or postpartum anxiety and depression The intensive work that expedites recovery How passion and creativity drive the model One of the goals---to replicate the model in other places Part of the next phase: mentoring others How Dr. Birndorf sees her new book as yet another way to help people The book, which covers the ways people classify motherhood and the mental phases of the process that can be a struggle for many How the book covers the challenges in a unique way that no other book has done     Resources: https://www.themotherhoodcenter.com/ Instagram: @themotherhoodcenter Facebook: @motherhoodnyc Twitter: @MotherhoodNYC   The Nine Rooms of Happiness by Catherine Birndorf and Lucy Danzinger   What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Catherine Birndorf and Alexandra Sacks

Alexandra Sacks, M.D discusses the transition to motherhood like you’ve never heard it before. We openly explore topics around parenthood that are typically not discussed in an extremely relatable way. We also share practical steps that you can implement today in your transition to motherhood. Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook. Topics Discussed: Reproductive psychiatry: what it is and how Dr. Sacks got started in the field Matrescence: what it is and what it feels like Why discomfort doesn’t always mean disorder How social media and talk therapy can help this transition How to hold onto your identity during the motherhood transition Advice to support you and your partner during the pregnancy/parenthood transition Show Notes: Follow Alexandra Sacks, M.D. on Instagram Alexandra Sacks, M.D. website Alexandra Sacks, M.D. TEDTalk Pre-order her book: What No One Tells You Division of Labor Article Postpartum Support International The HMHB Weekly Email Series Healthy Mama, Happy Baby Virtual Pregnancy Program Nourish Kids Medicine Kit and Ebook Dr. Elana’s Medical Center: Nourish Medical Center Follow Steph and Elana on Instagram Whole Mamas Podcast Archive Alexandra Sacks, M.D. is widely recognized as the leading clinical expert on matrescence: the developmental transition into motherhood, and her TED talk on this topic has over one million views worldwide. She has spent the last decade of her career helping women navigate their emotional lives as a reproductive psychiatrist. She is a regular contributor to the New York Times, and her work has been featured in TIME, NPR and throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America. In April 2019, Dr. Sacks will publish her first co-authored book, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood (Simon and Schuster). Please remember that the views on this podcast and website are not meant to be substituted for medical advice, shouldn’t be used to diagnose, treat or cure any conditions, and are intended for general information purposes only.

Dr. Alexandra Sacks M.D. is a reproductive psychiatrist whose matrescence TED Talk has gone viral. Her coauthored book, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood can be preordered now, with a due date for April 2019. The Birth of a Mother article by Dr. Sacks was the number one most read piece of 2017 for the “Well Family” section of the New York Times. Episode highlights: Dr. Sacks noticed a pattern where women who thought they had postnatal depression didn't meet the clinical diagnostic criteria, yet they were not feeling well. Dr. Sacks explained that what they were describing was the natural transition to motherhood – sleep deprivation – hormonal shifting, social structures – the changed relationship with their – financial change – professional change after a maternity leave – changes in body/minds. Dana Raphael coined the term matrescence which encompasses all of these things. The transition to motherhood includes a physical, mind and social change. Prefix maternity – mother – sounds like adolescence – not coincidence – the analogy is apt. Women when told about it experienced tremendous relief in Dr. Sacks’ practice. Once they were told it was normal they did not feel as concerned or alone as they realised others mothers were feeling this too. Antidepressants are the most common form of medication for women of reproductive age. Why now for the attention on matrescence? Within medical community doctors treat disease. Not much discussion over what it feels like to be a healthy human – even if uncomfortable. Need to have more of a discussion around this. Not enough discussion on natural prevention and wellness. Binary between postpartum depression or sailing through – grey area transition in between is not talked about – it may be good AND bad – doesn't have to be one or the other. It is easier for the mind to compartmentalise – good mother and bad mother but human experiences are much more in the grey rather than binary. The push and pull of motherhood - feeling ambivalent. The need to take care of your own needs as a mother. When we cut out activities that bring us pleasure we are setting ourselves up for depression – our nervous system needs to experience JOY in order to stay healthy and integrated to tolerate stress – to stay hopeful in times of stress. The difficulty in preserving your own identify as a mother. Mother guilt – something Dr. Sacks talks about everyday. Consequence of push and pull – wish you could be unconditionally giving – society tells us that we should. Children are designed to live in the natural world – not designed to live in a world where all their needs are catered for forever and ever. To mother a healthy child we need to tolerate them having their own independence – this is much more facilitated if you can hold onto your own independence – not healthy for the mother, or the child, for the mother to give up all of her own identity. Self care is not optional – it is not for us to judge if selfish or self preserving – it is not optional. Dr. Sacks noted mothers are human beings not robots. The perfect motherhood is not available to us – we can only strive for “good enough”. Donald Winnicott coined the phrase good-enough mother – human beings are not perfect and we don't have perfect relationships - we have flawed relationships – that is all we need to build a satisfying life. Our children don't need us to be perfect – it is not a good model. The benefits of preparing for postpartum in pregnancy. The social isolation which comes with postpartum body issues. Alison talks about her uterine prolapse and the need to open the conversation around these issues so mothers do not feel alone. matrescence can be different each time you have a new baby whether that be the second or third child as you have never had a baby and an older child before. The power of emotional connection by telling you story - psychotherapy has demonstrated brain changes in neural imaging - central to human experience and opens up conversations where we learn things about other people. Physical injuries - athletes aren’t afraid to talk about shoulder that doesn’t work but women become embarrassed to talk about health issues associated with birth - haemorrhoids, prolapse etc - sense of shame about their bodies. Virgina Monologues started because of an embarrassment of using the word Vagina. Labour and delivery is a marathon just like being an athlete. We need to normalise the language which is used around birth. So women feel less stigma and shame. The benefit of mothers sharing their stories - the reason behind the #motherhoodunfiltered movement which Dr. Sacks started on social media.   You can find Dr. Sacks on social media:   @AlexandraSacksMD @Alexandra_Sacks @AlexandraSacksMD   You can contact Alison here or follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/alison_barker_ and find details of her nutrition packages at www.alisonbarker.com/work-with-me-3 Please also join the Facebook group Mothering the Mother where we continue the conversation.