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Ever wonder if what a new mom is feeling is just "mom worry" or something more like postpartum anxiety? 

Maranda and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and perinatal mental health specialist, Kathryn Lopez, break it down in this episode. We're diving into how to tell the difference between those normal "mama" worries and when it might be postpartum anxiety – think physical feelings, constant unease, and those "what if" thoughts that feel way out of control.

We're tackling those sometimes scary intrusive thoughts that pop into a new mom's head – are they normal, or something to pay closer attention to? And what about feeling down about your old life? Is that just part of becoming a mom, or could it be something more? We even chat about that surprising link between postpartum rage and anxiety. If you're a postpartum pro, you need to hear this to help the moms you work with feel understood and supported.

Check out the episode on the blog: https://postpartumu.com/podcast/how-to-differentiate-between-postpartum-anxiety-vs-normal-motherly-worries-kathryn-lopez-ep-215/

Key Time Stamps: 

• 01:58: What is Normal Mother Worry? Understanding Postpartum Anxiety vs. Typical Worry
• 03:38: When Does Mother Worry Become a Problem? Recognizing Unhealthy Postpartum Stress
• 05:47: How to Differentiate Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms from Normal Maternal Concerns?
• 09:36: Understanding Intrusive Thoughts Are They Normal or a Sign of PPA?
• 12:08: The Intent Behind Intrusive Thoughts in Postpartum
• 15:50: Is It Postpartum Depression or Grief? Understanding Loss in Early Motherhood
• 16:52: The Grief of Old Life in Postpartum
• 21:00: How Does the Nervous System Impact Postpartum Anxiety? Understanding Hyperarousal
• 25:48: Connection with Postpartum Rage and Anxiety
• 29:43: The Sleep Deprivation Cycle and Postpartum Mental Health

Connect with Kathryn: 

Kathryn Lopez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Life Coach who specializes in perinatal mental health and sex and intimacy therapy. She helps individuals and couples navigate the emotional and relational shifts of parenthood, from conception and pregnancy to birth, postpartum, and beyond. Website

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