Anna Asks

What's it like to find out you're expecting more than one baby?

How does expecting multiple babies effect the experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum?

And what do mothers and parents of multiples (and their personal and professional supporters) need to know to get through those incredibly intense early years feeling well?

As a psychologist, twin mother and host of the Fierce, Kind Mama of Multiples podcast, Dr Cristina Cavezza has the answers.

Cristina's Links

Cristina's programs and Free Resources (fiercekindmama.com)

Connect with Anna

Check out Anna's membership, other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, in home doula care, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au

You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

There are over 1 million lone parent households in Australia, and the overwhelming majority of these are headed by single mothers. This doesn't mean however that single mothers are one homogenous group, all with the same backstory, immediate needs or hopes for the future. Klyne Love is a single mother working primarily with single parents. She brings her lived experience and professional insights to this conversation, shedding light on the nuances of the single motherhood experience. This conversation touches on the unique challenges single mothers face and how the rest of us (coupled parents, friends without children, older people without young dependent kids, support professionals, etc.) can show up for the single parents around us.

Content warnings - domestic violence, houselessness.

Connect with Anna

Thinking of checking out Anna's online community membership? It's $15AUD/month (or $9 for concession/single parents) and features private member-only articles, a forum, regular zoom connection calls and more.

Connect with Anna's other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au

You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

We now know it's important to be on the lookout for signs of postnatal depression, anxiety and even psychosis in the early days, but what happens if a mother experiences a mental health crisis further down the track? In this interview, Emmeline Tyler (she/her) shares openly about her birth and blissful postpartum, and how these assisted in helping her be well. She explains how personal and societal factors influenced the unravelling of her mental health during the toddler years, which escalated into psychosis and hospitalisation 2.5 years after birth. Recorded a further 2.5 years down the track, Emmeline shares her insights into the mental health system, her path to recovery and ongoing mental health management, and how her family are seeking to build a life with mental wellness for all as their focus. We also go on a few feminist-y tangents and discuss books because it's us and how could we not?

Links

The Talia Hibbert books we mentioned:

Where to find us

You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

Alcohol and motherhood is an interesting topic for one that's so in the forefront of our lives but the margins of our conversations. In this episode I speak with Meg and Bella, cohosts of the She's Sober Sydney podcast. Our chat covers:

Megan Webb: https://glassfulfilled.com.au

Instagram: @glassfulfilled

Isabella Ferguson: https://isabellaferguson.com.au

Instagram: @letstalkalcoholaustralia

Instagram: @kidsandalcohol

As always, you can find Anna and her free Six Steps to Your Peaceful Postpartum eGuide, arrange a session with her or grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken" via www.annacusack.com.au.

Anna is also on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum

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