Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

02: Mind & Matter: A Deep Dive into Women’s Mental Health

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In this compelling episode of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega sits down with Dr. Cara English, CEO of Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies and an expert in perinatal mental health. Together, they explore the often overlooked but critical subject of mental health for women during pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. English shares her expertise on recognizing, understanding, and addressing perinatal mental health conditions, offering actionable advice and insights on building supportive systems that promote well-being for women at every stage.


Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding Perinatal Mental Health: What perinatal mental health encompasses, how it differs from postpartum depression, and why the distinction matters.
  • Barriers to Care and Advocacy: Insights into the systemic challenges women face in receiving adequate mental health care and the innovative solutions being implemented in Arizona.
  • Screening & Early Detection: Why early screening is critical and how providers can create safe spaces for open conversations about mental health.
  • Building Community Support Systems: The role of peer support, community circles, and safe spaces for women to connect and find strength during challenging times.
  • Self-Care Strategies and Beyond: Practical self-care approaches, counseling considerations, and the importance of support for partners and families.


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    Resources Mentioned:

    • Universal screening: https://policycentermmh.org/universal-screening-for-maternal-mental-health-disorders-issue-brief/?emci=94c440c6-0787-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&emdi=aa3abac5-3287-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&ceid=8744634
    • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): https://www.cope.org.au/health-professionals/health-professionals-3/calculating-score-epds/
    • Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder (PHQ-9 and GAD-7): https://uhs.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu1651/files/docs/PHQ-9%20and%20GAD-7%20Form_a.pdf
    • Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ): https://novopsych.com.au/assessments/diagnosis/mood-disorder-questionnaire-mdq/
    • Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults: https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf
    • Somatic Therapies: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-somatic-therapy-5190064
    • SNOWBALL Mental Health Tips: https://birthwellbirthright.com/snowball-a-new-mothers-guide-to-postpartum-wellness/

      • Recommended Reading:

      • What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry: https://amzn.to/3YqrAto
      • The Pain Gap: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women by Anushay Hossain: https://amzn.to/3YhqTCK
      • Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype: https://amzn.to/3BYtp9F
      • It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told) by Karen Tang, MD, MPH: https://amzn.to/3Ur8wtZ

        • Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies

        • Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Certificate, Women's Health Specialty: https://cgi.edu/ibh-women/
        • Trauma Informed Care Certificate: https://cgi.edu/tic/

          • Connect with us:

          • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/
          • Website: themidwifelife.co
          • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/
          • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/
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            Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane OrtegaBy Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center
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