The baby is here. The appointments are over. Now what?

In Episode 5 of Mama's Garden, I sit down with occupational therapist, researcher, educator, and women's health advocate Dr. Sabina Khan to discuss what recovery really looks like after birth.

While postpartum recovery is often viewed as physical healing, many mothers find themselves navigating something much bigger: changes in routines, identity, relationships, sleep, self-care, and daily life. Together, we explore how motherhood can disrupt the activities and roles that once felt familiar and what it means to rebuild after birth.

On this episode:

What occupational therapy is and how it supports mothers
Understanding occupational disruption after childbirth
Why motherhood is one of life's biggest transitions
Sleep deprivation, self-care, and changing routines
How postpartum depression affects daily participation
Identity shifts and the feeling of "losing yourself"
Practical ways to rebuild routines and restore balance
Small steps that can help mothers reconnect with themselves

Whether you're a new mom, an expecting parent, a healthcare professional, or someone supporting a mother, this episode offers practical guidance and reassurance that you're not alone in the transition.

Episode 4: Where Was the Support?

What happens when mothers ask for help but don't feel heard?

In this episode of Mama's Garden, I sit down with occupational therapist and mother Dr. Mirage Sanders to discuss the realities of postpartum care and what happens when a mother's concerns are dismissed, minimized, or overlooked.

Together, we explore the gap between what postpartum care is supposed to provide and what many mothers actually experience after birth. From mental health screenings and follow-up appointments to trust in healthcare and culturally responsive care, this conversation sheds light on why feeling heard matters.

Episode Topics:

Expectations vs. reality after birth
Postpartum care beyond the 6-week checkup
Mental health screening and emotional support
Feeling dismissed by healthcare providers
Trust and mistrust in healthcare systems
Culturally responsive care for Black mothers
What mothers wish providers understood

Every mother deserves to be heard, believed, and supported. Whether you're a mother, healthcare professional, student, or advocate, this episode is a reminder that compassionate care starts with listening.

Learn More

• Postpartum Care Overview
• Optimizing Postpartum Care
• Postpartum Mental Health Screening Resources

What does it really mean to be a "Strong Black Woman"?

In this deeply personal episode of Mama's Garden, I sit down with two mothers and longtime friends for an honest conversation about motherhood, mental health, and the pressure many Black women feel to always be strong.

Together, we explore how messages like "keep pushing," and "don't let anyone see you struggle" can shape the way women navigate postpartum depression, ask for help, and care for themselves after becoming mothers.

Through their lived experiences, we discuss:

• The Strong Black Woman narrative and where it comes from
• The pressure to appear strong while struggling internally
• Postpartum depression, mom guilt, and emotional overwhelm
• Fear of judgment when seeking help or expressing vulnerability
• Single motherhood, support systems, and asking for help
• Generational messages about emotions and resilience
• Raising emotionally aware children and breaking cycles of silence
• The importance of grace, healing, and self-compassion

If you've ever felt like you had to hold everything together while silently falling apart, this conversation is for you.

Resources and Learn More

HealthyWomen: Understanding the Strong Black Woman Schema
Read here

Research Article: The Strong Black Woman Schema and Maternal Mental Health
View Article

Research Article: Exploring the Impact of the Strong Black Woman Narrative
View Article

Why are Black women more likely to experience postpartum depression?

In Episode 2 of Mama's Garden, I'm joined by Dr. Tavia Williams, OTD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, maternal health researcher, and advocate, to explore the factors that place African American women at greater risk for postpartum depression and other maternal mental health conditions.

Together, we discuss maternal health disparities, chronic stress, racism, social determinants of health, and the systemic barriers that shape the postpartum experiences of many African American mothers. Drawing from her doctoral capstone on wellness among African American women during pregnancy, Dr. Williams helps us better understand the "why" behind the statistics and what healthcare professionals, families, and communities need to know to better support African American mothers.

In this episode:

• Maternal mental health statistics among African American women
• Chronic stress before, during, and after pregnancy
• Racism, discrimination, and the concept of "weathering"
• Social determinants of health and postpartum recovery
• Why maternal health outcomes remain unequal
• What healthcare providers need to better understand about African American

Resources & Learn More

• March of Dimes: Stress and Pregnancy

• KFF: Racial Disparities in Maternal & Infant Health

• UChicago Medicine: Disparities in Black Maternal Health

• CDC: Maternal Mortality

• Postpartum Support International

Episode 1: More Than the Baby Blues | Mama’s Garden 

What if what you’re experiencing after birth is more than just the baby blues? 

In the first episode of Mama’s Garden, I’m joined by Dr. Rashan Dickinson, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Integrum Therapy Services, for an honest conversation about postpartum recovery and maternal mental health. 

We explore the “fourth trimester,” the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression, common signs of PPD, barriers faced by Black mothers, and the importance of support during the transition into motherhood. 

In this episode: 

• Baby blues vs. postpartum depression 

• Signs and symptoms of PPD 

• Postpartum recovery and identity changes 

• Barriers to maternal mental health support 

• Black maternal mental health 

• What mothers should know after leaving the hospital 

You are not failing as a mother, and you don’t have to navigate postpartum alone. 

Resources: 

• Postpartum Care of the New Mother (StatPearls): 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565875/ 

• Mayo Clinic: Postpartum Depression 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617 

• Postpartum Support International 

https://www.postpartum.net/ 

• Postpartum Support International Help & Resources 

https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/