The postpartum period is one of the most vulnerable, isolating, and under-supported times in a person's life. In this episode of It's Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with two experts from Advance Community Health's OB/GYN department: Brenda Gartrell, NP, an experienced Nurse Practitioner, and Victoria Johnson, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works exclusively with OB patients.

From postpartum depression and anxiety to physical recovery that nobody warns you about, this conversation gets real about what happens after the baby arrives. We're talking about the shame that keeps people from asking for help, the relationship strain that catches couples off guard, the chronic pain that gets dismissed as "normal," and more.

Whether you're currently postpartum, planning to have a baby, supporting someone who just gave birth, or working in maternal health, this episode offers validation, practical guidance, and a reminder that struggling doesn't make you a failure, it makes you human.

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview

01:16 – Guest Intro

02:21 – Framing the Postpartum Conversation

02:51 – Hot Takes & Community Questions Setup

04:21 – Mental Health Impact of Bounce-Back Pressure

05:21 – Social Media, Unrealistic Bodies, and Self-Compassion

07:26 – The “Superwoman” Pressure

10:17 – Poll Results: How Do You Feel Most Supported Postpartum?

11:08 – “Apple of the Day”: Small Things That Make a Big Difference

13:53 – Audience Mailbag: Supporting a New Mom

16:33 – How to Recognize Postpartum Depression

20:30 – Intimacy, Consent, and Mental Readiness