278: A Postnatal Depression Journey with The Shems Doula, Abla Benyahia

I’m joined today by Abla Benyahia, a Moroccan, London-based postpartum doula and birth educator. She is the mother of two children under two years of age, and she’s a postnatal depression survivor. Passionately supporting women during their postpartum journey, Abla helps them navigate through mental health challenges and mom’s guilt to reclaim their true identities. Abla experienced postnatal depression after the birth of her first child, which was followed quickly by her second pregnancy. She shares her experience of what helped her, what didn’t help, and what she wishes she had done differently, along with her perspective as an Arab and Muslim mother. The mission of Abla’s work is to help people understand the importance of self-care and why it’s essential to get help as quickly as possible. 

Show Highlights:

How Abla was born in Morocco before living in France and settling in London with her husband

How her first pregnancy went well, despite PCOS and the pandemic

How she experienced depression even before her baby’s birth, triggered by the fact that her family couldn’t travel internationally to be with her

How her birth plan couldn’t work like she wanted it to

How Abla’s religious beliefs factored into her birth experience and how giving birth in London was much different than in Morocco in support of a new mom both in the hospital and at home

How a loss of sleep and breastfeeding problems created the foundation for postnatal depression and intrusive thoughts

How a conversation with a friend led Abla to admit that something was wrong and that she needed help

How the support of a doula, therapist, and physiotherapist made a huge difference for Abla

Why Abla felt anger that none of the women in her daily prepared her for postpartum depression

How Abla’s husband learned to help and support her, helping her to prioritize self-care and quality time together rather than household tasks

How Abla’s second pregnancy occurred quickly and unexpectedly and gave her the chance to have her preferred birth plan AND her birth doula

How a helpful village of support made Abla’s second postpartum experience very different

Why Abla decided to become a certified doula and focus on helping other women

Resources:

Connect with Abla: Instagram

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! 

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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