Honest as a Mother

Amanda is joined by Dr. Benicio Frey, who is an incredible psychiatrist here in Hamilton, Ontario to talk about Women's Mental Health and to break down some myths and bring us the facts.

Included in this episode:

• Debunking the scary myths: Will developing a postpartum mental illness damage my baby? If I did not have PPD with my first, I won't with my second right?
• Are their risk factors that are associated with postpartum mental illnesses? Dr. Frey is giving us facts about this one.
• Can PPD or PPA stay? Can it term into a long term depression or anxiety?
• How can Mothers access support? Are there options for mothers with no private insurance plan?
• Women's Mental Health Post Baby
• PMDD - myths and facts

If you are someone in the Hamilton area that would like to connect with the Women's Health Clinic visit: https://www.stjoes.ca/hospital-services/mental-health-addiction-services/mental-health-services/women's-health-concerns-clinic-whcc/contact-us

Do not forget to get yourself started on Magic Mind!

Head to www.magicmind.com/honestm and use code HONESTM20 and get 20% off a one time purchase OR 48% off your first subscription!

Amanda is joined by Suzzie Vehrs,  who is a doula and the owner and founder of She Births Bravely which is an organization aimed at providing moms quality information, compassionate care and support through pregnancy and the first 6 months after birth.

Included in this episode:

• Why do we feel the need to give our opinions on how mothers are giving birth and why is this so dangerous?
• Why Suzzie wants mothers to make logical decisions when making their birth plan based on facts and not opinions of others - including medical professionals.
• Consent - Why is consent such an important conversation to have when it comes to birth, how can consent impact birth trauma?
• The role of a Doula and why they are such an important piece to our medical team. 

Follow Suzzie on IG @shebirthsbravely

Work with her: www.shebirthsbravely.com

Do not forget to get yourself started on Magic Mind! Head to www.magicmind.com/honestm and use code HONESTM20 and get 20% off a one time purchase OR 48% off your first subscription!

Amanda is joined by Karisa Havercamp, who is a psychotherapist here in Brantford, Ontario to chat about default parenting and the mothers mental health and so much more.

Included in this episode:

• Attachment Trauma - What is this and why is it important?
• Does the "repair" we are told to do with our children actually work?
• Default parenting - Why mothers are exhausted and why is society still telling mothers that they need to do it all.
• How can we ask for help as mothers?
• Mom Guilt - Why have we accepted that this is how we will feel as mothers?
• Why does Karisa recommend going "back to the basics" for self care?

Follow Karisa on IG @blossomscounselling

Work with her: www.blossomcounselling.com

Do not forget to get yourself started on Magic Mind! Head to www.magicmind.com/honestm and use code HONESTM20 and get 20% off a one time purchase OR 48% off your first subscription!

Amanda is once again joined by the incredible Eleni Opperwall to discuss Postpartum Depression and Anxiety - what the DSM-5 "says it is" vs what lived experience is saying it is.

Included in this episode:

• Defining Postpartum Depression from the DSM-5 vs what mothers who are experiencing PPD are experiencing. 
• Defining Postpartum Anxiety from the DSM-5 vs what mothers are really experiencing.
• Anger - Why does it show up in both PPD and PPA and why is it an important emotion to pay attention to.
• How can mothers ask for help? Where can they find help?

Follow Eleni on IG @eleniotherapy

If you need support head to www.postpartuminternational.com

Do not forget to get yourself started on Magic Mind!

 Head to www.magicmind.com/honestm and use code HONESTM20 and get 20% off a one time purchase OR 48% off your first subscription!

Amanda is joined by Brittany Schmidt who is a Psychic Medium, Reiki Master and Manifestation & Spiritual Coach to chat about spirituality, healing and learning to lean into yourself and trust your own intution.

Included in this episode:

• The importance of regulating your nervous system.
• The "tower moment" - what this is, why it is so important.
• "The Uncomfortable In Between" Phase that so many of us go through.
• How do we know our intuition is speaking or is it anxiety?
• How can we learn to trust our intuition?

Follow Brittany on IG @sprinkle.that.sparkle

Work with Brittany: https://www.sprinklethatsparkle.ca/instagram?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZyMY3TrOu2GByGMs2CGmqojzGMmYul3rpxSJzNQmBIWJofwGz3kdm8jsw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw 

Do not forget to get yourself started on Magic Mind! Head to www.magicmind.com/honestm and use code HONESTM20 and get 20% off a one time purchase OR 48% off your first subscription!

Amanda is joined by Erica Djossa, founder of Momwell to chat about "Mom Rage" and her new book, "Releasing the Motherload, How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More".

Included in this episode:

• What is "Mom Rage"? - Erica explains from her own experience as well as what she sees in practice.
• Mom Rage vs Postpartum Rage - what is the difference?
• What societal messaging is telling mothers and how it impacts us.
• The invisible load - what is this? Why is it important? 
• How can a mom who is struggling get the support that she needs?
• Advice for the moms who are feeling like "The Angry Mom"

Follow Erica on IG @momwell

Purchase her book: https://a.co/d/7i4eulS 

Don't forget to grab your at home meal kit with SPATULA Foods!

Head to www.spatulafoods.com and use the code HONEST for $40 off your first order!

Amanda is joined by the incredible Renee Reina, host of The Mom Room Podcast to chat mom life and mental health.

Included in this episode:

• Renee shares her experience with Anxiety before she had children by explaining what it looked and felt like for her.
• Why she chose medication and why it was such an easy decision for her to make.
• How frustrated Amanda and Renee are that moms do not feel like they can openly say "I'm having a hard time" postpartum and beyond.

Follow Renee on IG @reneereina

Don't forget to grab your at home meal kit with SPATULA Foods!

Head to www.spatulafoods.com and use the code HONEST for $40 off your first order!

Amanda is joined by another author that is inside Honest as a Mother Book 3, Lorraine Lowry where they will discuss mothering with ADHD and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Included in this episode:

• Why Book 3 was the right time for Lorraine to join a co-author project and what her experience has been like.
• BPD/ADHD - What are they and how they impact Lorraines life.
• How Lorraine is parenting different than she was parented and why this is so important to her.

Follow Lorraine on IG @adhdnbpdmom

Amanda is joined by her long time friend and co-worker Ivana Gustin. Ivana is a mother who resides here in Hamilton and is a mental health advocate herself. She is here to share her story and to break the stigma that is still surrounding mental health, especially when it comes to mothers.

Included in this episode:

• Ivana shares that she struggled with depression before she had children, what it felt like to her, how she asked for help and what she did to support herself through this chapter.
• PTSD - How this diagnosis became a part of Ivana's life.
• Medication during pregnancy - How Ivana decided what was best for her and her baby.
• How Ivana advocated for herself to keep her mental health a float during her pregnancy.
• What her postpartum period looked like and how Postpartum depression presented for her.
• Real Mom Talk is alllllll inside this episode. Get ready to feel seen and heard with this one.

Follow Ivana on IG @ivana.gustin

Don't forget to grab your at home meal kit with SPATULA Foods!

Head to www.spatulafoods.com and use the code HONEST for $40 off your first order!

Amanda is joined by Megan Martin who is another author inside the Honest as a Mother Book 3 to chat about teen pregnancy and adoption.

Included in this episode:

• Megans experience as a co-author and why now was the right time for her to share her story.
• How Megan started healing herself and ridding herself from the stigma and shame attached to adoption.
• How writing helped Megan heal.

Follow Megan on IG @megatwinmom

Purchase the EBOOK on Amazon and donate to Floras Walk here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX57PL55?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100