Laila, mom of two and host of the popular Learning To Mom Podcast, shares her personal story about discovering what prenatal depression is and why she has come to understand that prenatal depression may have been part of what made her unexpected pregnancy at age 24 so challenging.

This is a heartfelt conversation that runs the gamut from laughter to vulnerability.

Although the circumstances of Laila’s journey are unique to her, and where she found support may be different than for you, her message is important: when you understand your experience, and you know what may be happening to you, it becomes easier to get the support you need to survive and thrive at a very challenging time.  It can also reduce the guilt and shame you may be feeling around how you are navigating pregnancy and motherhood.

In this episode:

• Laila talks openly about her personal struggles and what helped her.  

• She outlines the common symptoms of prenatal depression, what the risk factors are, and 8 tips she has for families based on her experience.

  
  

If you are struggling with depression (prenatally, postnatally, or outside of pregnancy altogether), talk with your doctor or mental health professional today, be honest with what you are feeling, and get the support you deserve.

If you are the spouse, partner, or loving family member or friend who sees your loved one struggling, do not hesitate to help them get help.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Brianna Wiest, on Self-Care https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2024/04/this-is-what-self-care-really-means-because-its-not-all-salt-baths-and-chocolate-cake-2/

Additional Resources:

• Prenatal Depression Resources.  If you are struggling, call for support without delay: your doctor, midwife your therapist.  Call your local COAST (Crisis Outreach And Support Team, available 24/7), or local Mental Health Association (CMHA.ca in Canada).  Call 911 if you or your partner or spouse is having a mental health crisis.  

• Canada’s new (2024) resource for prescription drugs during pregnancy https://www.healthypregnancyhub.ca/ based on research from the https://motherchildcohort.ca/

  
  

You can find Laila at:

• https://www.instagram.com/learningtomom.podcast

• https://www.learningtomompodcast.com

• [email protected]

  
  

What you can do next:

• Subscribe to this podcast and share it with a friend!

• Download the Baby Sleep Connection Podcast Listener Guide at www.familysleep.ca/links

• ⁠Work with Heather⁠ inside the Confident & Connected Baby Sleep group program or one-on-one.

• Find previous episodes of the podcast at familysleep.ca/podcast

• And do ONE THING right this moment that helps you feel grounded –take a deep belly breath, wiggle your toes, make some tea, look up at the stars, or anything else you can do easily that feels good.

  
  

Credits:

 🎵 Music: Jordan Wood