Midwife Life: Midwifing you through health, motherhood, and the sacred mess of life’s transformations with Diane Ortega

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


Listen Later

**BONUS REPLAY** 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.


    Did you enjoy this episode?

    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Midwife Life for more insightful discussions on women’s health, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Share this episode with a friend or leave a review to help us reach more listeners on their health and wellness journeys. Together, we can make a difference.


    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/
          • ...more
            View all episodesView all episodes
            Download on the App Store

            Midwife Life: Midwifing you through health, motherhood, and the sacred mess of life’s transformations with Diane OrtegaBy Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center

            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5

            5

            8 ratings


            More shows like Midwife Life: Midwifing you through health, motherhood, and the sacred mess of life’s transformations with Diane Ortega

            View all
            Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman by Missy Helderman

            Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman

            12 Listeners

            Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love by Kim Box from the Motherhood Anthology

            Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

            49 Listeners

            The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals by Dr. Cherie

            The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals

            2 Listeners

            Big Brave Business:  Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter by Sarah Heeter

            Big Brave Business: Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter

            65 Listeners

            Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life by Katy Schlegel

            Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life

            8 Listeners

            Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving by Kathy Werking

            Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving

            3 Listeners

            Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope by Kasey Hope

            Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope

            119 Listeners

            Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life by Becky Aste

            Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life

            37 Listeners

            Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org by Doreen Korba of StillMama.org

            Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org

            40 Listeners

            Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education by Ricardo Sierra

            Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

            25 Listeners

            Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business! by Jonica Thompson

            Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business!

            12 Listeners

            Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women by Katie Carson

            Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women

            13 Listeners

            Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne by Casey Thorne

            Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne

            0 Listeners

            Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane by Whitney Surane

            Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

            10 Listeners

            Our Reimagined Life: Empowering Me, You, and Us Seeking Happiness and Self Worth by Julie Siomacco

            Our Reimagined Life: Empowering Me, You, and Us Seeking Happiness and Self Worth

            24 Listeners

            Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets by The Pet Shop Girls: Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets and Carly Patryluk of House of Paws

            Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets

            11 Listeners

            AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist by Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

            AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

            14 Listeners

            Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation by Mara Ervin & Val Crafton

            Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

            3 Listeners