Momwell

Partners usually want to be the go-to support person during labor. But sometimes they don’t know how to help. With the right plan, conversations, and communication about expectations, partners can learn how to support you the way you need.  Today, I’m joined by labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton to discuss how to be a valuable support person during labor. Show Notes: http://bit.ly/3zLSnVb   Boo...

When you’re grappling with your mental health in the postpartum period, it can be hard to know what’s happening. Is this depression, anxiety, or something more severe? With recent tragedies in the news, many moms are left wondering what postpartum psychosis is and what causes it.  Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Oreck to discuss the causes, signs, risk factors, and treatme...

Facing a subsequent pregnancy after a traumatic birth can feel overwhelming and scary. You can’t predict what will come next, but you can heal from your past trauma and prepare a strong support system.  Today, clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers , founder of The Birth Trauma Mama, joins us for part 2 of our conversation about birth trauma. Last week, we talked about how trauma can impact our d...

A traumatic birth experience can leave moms feeling conflicted, lost, and unsure of themselves. We’re often told that we should be grateful or appreciative for a healthy baby, no matter what the birth looked like. But traumatic birth experiences can stick with us, impacting our future decisions, such as whether or not to grow our family.  I sat down with clinical social worker Kayleigh Summers, fo...

Overwhelmed moms are often told to carve out time for “self-care,” from bubble baths to massages. But not only does that version of self-care for moms add more to our neverending to-do list—it also does not address the real problems that are contributing to burnout.  Real self-care for moms isn’t about what we do or what we buy—it’s about mindset shifts that change the way we approach motherhood....

Moms often find themselves grappling with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or fear of emotionally damaging their children. But what many don’t realize is that these tendencies are often rooted in unresolved childhood wounds.   Today on the podcast, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Vienna Pharaon , founder of Mindful MFT, to discuss why childhood wounds arise in parenthood and how to iden...

Many of us were never taught how to make decisions with confidence. Some of us came from a religious background, some of us encountered controlling environments, and some of us were simply taught to trust our parent’s choices rather than making our own. Now, as moms, we often find ourselves struggling with people pleasing or an inability to trust ourselves.  But when we understand what’s holding u...

Working mom struggles are real—we’re bombarded with messages and expectations about “having it all” and encouraged to seek “work-life balance.” We often end up feeling as though we’re failing both at home and in our careers.  But what if we let go of external measuring sticks about what it means to be a good mom and focused instead on our values and priorities? Today, I’m joined by licensed mental...

Do you ever find your brain spiraling with endless to-dos? Or feel overwhelmed by all the toys and mess around you? Many moms struggle with both physical and mental clutter, juggling responsibilities, worries, and labor in the home. But with the right strategies, we can declutter our homes and our minds, bringing some calm back into the chaos of motherhood.   Today, I’m joined by therapist Denaye...

What is mom guilt and how do we overcome it? Motherhood has a way of bringing out doubt, fear, guilt, and shame. But when we learn how to let go of comparison and mother with our own values, we can break away from unproductive mom guilt and chart our own path in motherhood.  Today, I’m joined by Libby Ward, founder of Diary of an Honest Mom , to discuss why we experience mom guilt and how we can n...

If you’ve ever felt like a medical provider dismissed or minimized your concerns, you are not alone. There is a long history of doctors who medically gaslight women, failing to take them seriously and leaving them questioning their own judgment.  Today, I’m joined by family physician Dr. Sarah Fraser to discuss the medical gaslighting of moms and what you can do to advocate for yourself.  Show Not...

We have exciting news–Happy as a Mother has evolved into The Momwell Podcast! I started Happy as a Mother to help moms everywhere realize they are not alone. But over time, we’ve grown, evolved, added new services, and expanded.  The podcast is staying the same–same great experts, same mission, same format. But we’re now operating under a new name–Momwell. We believe that when a mom is well, a bab...

Should I have another baby? Is my family complete? How will I know I’m done? For many of us, these questions begin soon after a baby is born. It can be hard to know if you want to add another baby to your family. While the decision is unique to every person and every family, there are some ways to make the decision easier.   Today, I’m joined by mental health counselor Kate McReynolds, founder of...

Are you facing more conflict in your relationship after having a baby? Many couples find themselves arguing more after becoming parents. Stress, sleep deprivation, mental health, and additional responsibilities all play a role. But we can learn how to resolve conflict productively, communicate openly, repair, and work through struggles.   Today, I’m joined by mental health counselor Sheina Schoche...

Do you find yourself wondering if you’re doing something to make your baby “difficult”? It might just be baby temperament! Our children are born with certain inborn personality traits. When we understand them, we can better attune to their needs (and stop blaming ourselves)!  Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator , to discuss baby temperament and...

Are you struggling to find your footing with sex after having a baby? If so, you aren’t alone. Many couples experience barriers to sex in the postpartum period, including sleep deprivation, new relationship dynamics, and a lack of open communication.   Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Travis Goodman, founder of Therapy4Dads , to discuss how sex changes after a baby, how to build...

Did you think you’d have a village to help with the baby only to discover you have no family support? The postpartum period is hard for everyone, but when our expectations of how friends and family might help don’t match the reality, it can be even harder.   Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapists Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken, founders of ShrinkChicks , to discuss how communicat...

Moms with ADHD take on additional struggles and labor, along with the typical mental load of motherhood. Our mental health affects our capacity and impacts the way we deal with stress.  Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani , founder of The Psych Doctor MD, to discuss how moms with ADHD can overcome their challenges and take care of themselves in the process.  Show Notes: http://bit....

Navigating both career and motherhood can be hard. Depending on their location and workplace policies, moms are often not offered maternity leave or guaranteed that their job is safe. After they return to work, the struggles only continue, with the wage gap widening after every child. But with the right plans in place, you can work through the challenges and find your own path as a working mom.  T...

Has your breastfeeding journey not gone the way you imagined? You aren’t alone. From medical issues to latching difficulties to engorgement, breastfeeding doesn’t always look like a peaceful bonding experience from the beginning.  Today, I’m joined by Lactation Consultant Amey Fields, founder of Az Breastfed Babies , to discuss the common struggles moms face on the breastfeeding journey, the impor...

Can dads get postpartum anxiety? The answer is yes! Just like moms, dads are at increased risk for anxiety in the postpartum period. Paternal mental health matters too.  Today, I’m joined by psychiatrist Dr. Pierre Azzam, founder of Braver Man , to discuss the signs and risk factors for postpartum anxiety in dads, and why caring for the mental health of the whole family matters.  Show Notes: http:...

Do you find yourself carrying the mental load of motherhood? Moms often serve as the default parents. The housekeepers. The caregivers. The go-to for all of the to-do lists. It’s a problem that can leave us overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out—and we often don’t even realize it’s happening. But we can make small changes that shift the household mental load and create buy-in from our partners.  To...

As a new mom, one of the most stressful things we can experience is not being able to soothe our babies. So when we face the “baby witching hour,” colic, or a fussy infant, we often feel like failures.  It’s hard to cope with crying. It’s even harder to let go of the expectation that we should be able to soothe every cry. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares, founder of Modern Mom...

Are you experiencing formula feeding guilt? Moms whose breastfeeding journey doesn’t match their expectations, or moms who choose to formula feed their babies, often face pressure, shame, and a sense of failure. But there are many factors that go into a feeding journey, and staying flexible can protect our mental health.  Today, I’m joined by infant feeding technician Mallory Whitmore, founder of...

Enjoy every moment. Be grateful you have a healthy baby. Everything happens for a reason. Moms often get bombarded with these messages, being told they should be happy and positive all the time. But how do you deal with this toxic positivity?  Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Whitney Goodman , author of Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real In a World Obsessed With Being Happy. We’re...