Today’s focus is on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Our expert guest will help us understand this therapy technique, its processes, and the overarching goal of this method. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Carissa Gustafson, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in perinatal psychology. She supports clients from preconception through parenting, with a particular focus on pregnancy and postpartum care. As the author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks, she utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients learn to relate to their thoughts and feelings with acceptance and compassion, while aligning their behavior with their values. Dr. Gustafson sees clients online throughout California and in person at Village Birth, a part of Heartship Psychological Services. In addition to seeing clients, she has been an adjunct professor and clinical faculty at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. 

Show Highlights:

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Carissa Gustafson: Website, Instagram, and Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our discussion focuses on the ways fertility challenges impact mental health, navigating misinformation and pressure from “influencer experts” on social media, and how evidence-based fertility education can empower and support people mentally and emotionally during their reproductive journey. 

Dr. Lucky Sekhon is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, obstetrician-gynecologist, and assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She is the author of The Lucky Egg, a comprehensive, myth-busting guide to understanding reproductive health and overcoming fertility—written to empower anyone navigating the complex and confusing world of fertility. Widely recognized for her expertise in egg freezing, IVF, and LGBTQ+ family building, Dr. Sekhon is a trusted voice in reproductive medicine known for blending cutting-edge science with deeply compassionate patient care. Beyond her busy clinical practice, Dr. Sekhon actively publishes and presents research at national conferences and is passionate about making evidence-based fertility information accessible to all. Through her social media presence, blog, and community outreach, she has become a leading advocate for closing the fertility knowledge gap and helping people make informed, confident decisions about their reproductive futures. 

Show Highlights:

Dr. Lucky’s WHY for writing The Lucky Egg was prompted by her pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Lucky’s desire to create a “Fertility Bible” to help people

What to expect from The Lucky Egg

Fertility challenges are as much a mental health issue as a physical one.

There is a wide range of grief experiences with infertility; each journey is unique.

Undiagnosed conditions, like endometriosis and PCOS, can complicate the fertility journey.

There is bad information on social media. Beware!

Dr. Lucky’s challenges in helping patients weed through misinformation and see evidence-based facts

Common themes of misinformation: fearmongering, distrust, quick fixes, and fake testimonials

Dr. Lucky’s commitment to evidence-based treatments

Dr. Lucky’s checklist to evaluate a clinic for quality and success

How The Lucky Egg helps people understand the language of embryology, medications, and protocols, even offering scripts and prompts to help deal with uncomfortable questions from others

“Who is The Lucky Egg written for?”

Messages of hope from Dr. Lucky: “If you’re unsure about your next steps in your fertility journey, you are not alone. Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples. This is a unique struggle with a lot of pressure. Prioritize your mental health, use resources, and find a supportive community.”

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Lucky Sekhon: Website, Instagram, and The Lucky Egg

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before discussing today’s show, I’d like to provide some updates on what to expect from the podcast in 2026. First of all, there will be no more Behind the Sessions episodes. There could also be changes in the frequency of episodes at some point, but we’ll see how that goes. Life shifts and different needs arise that are pulling me in other directions. Everyone has times when shifts are needed to make space for pressing needs, and that’s what I’m experiencing in my life. I’m still excited about the show and the ten-year milestone that we’ll reach in 2026. Remember, the archive of episodes (almost 500!) is always available through our website. 

Today’s episode brings important information about how parenthood changes everything, including your sex life. There are new complexities to intimacy and sex after having a child, and parents need to be prepared so they can protect their connection. Our expert guest answers questions about why passion fades, the sexual-emotional cycle that couples get stuck in, and the path back to each other in your relationship. Join us to learn more!

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy is an AASECT-certified sex therapist and the author of Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids. Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy, she helps couples navigate sex, desire, and connection in the whirlwind of parenting, even when life and kids make it feel impossible. 

Show Highlights:

Understanding the role of a sex therapist, what sex therapy entails, and Rebecca’s journey to be a sex therapist

Identity shifts and body changes that come with having a baby can greatly affect your sex life.

There is much shame and stigma around talking about sex and sexuality.

The need to be flexible and curious with your partner

Factors that impact a couple’s ability to connect and be intimate: time, hormones, exhaustion, and resentment

Focusing on the “micromoments” to show your connection to your partner

Common themes in sex therapy for new parents

Reinvesting in the partnership and understanding each other’s intimacy needs

The need for disconnection and solitude (Everyone needs alone time!)

The difficult mental shift from “Mommy mode” to adult partner

Dealing with mismatched levels of desire, which could become more pronounced after kids

Dr. Rebecca’s tips for finding your way back to your partner:

Become comfortable talking about sex.

Be flexible during the early-parent years.

Be open to other intimacies besides intercourse.

Consider scheduling sexual activity.

Make sure your partner feels seen, appreciated, and desired.

Find ways to protect your time for intimacy.

The importance of pleasure in all forms of intimacy (“Nobody wants bad sex!”)

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy: Website, Instagram, and Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode finishes the four-part series on perinatal mental health during the holidays. It is also the final Behind the Sessions episode because life’s circumstances are requiring me to shift, change, and prioritize other things as 2025 comes to a close. I will periodically add a solo episode in the future when I want to dive deeper into a relevant subject. There could even be a reduction in the frequency of episodes in 2026, as I see how my focus is needed in other areas. This shift is an example of my need to “practice what I preach” by protecting my time, space, and mental health as life changes. There is an extensive archive of episodes (almost 500 of them!) on my website from which you can search topics of interest to you. Please take advantage of the amazing resources available there! Today’s episode focuses on facing the challenges of the postpartum period during the holidays. Join me!

Show Highlights:

Hey, Mama: You ARE doing enough!

When you throw PPA or PPD into the mix, the holidays can be overwhelming.

Doing ALL the things will add more stress and cause burnout.

Truths about postpartum life: It’s a BIG change!

Worrying about social gatherings and the risk of sickness for your baby is completely normal.

You may feel a greater sense of disconnect and loneliness.

Watch out for the “comparison trap” that social media can cause.

The potential for overstimulation is great.

The underlying differences between expectations and reality

Make it through the holidays in whatever ways you can—and that’s okay.

Holiday problems for people-pleasers

An increase in pressure and a decrease in emotional bandwidth can create the perfect storm of stress.

Red flags that signal a perinatal mental health condition

Steps to better self-care:

Manage your self-talk–your inner voice.

Pause, sit, and breathe to settle your body and mind.

Realize that you don’t have to do everything you’ve always done.

Add self-compassion to your life.

Protect your energy by resting, limiting social engagements, and setting boundaries.

Ask for help—and accept it when it’s offered.

The importance of reframing what the holidays mean to you

You and your family deserve peace–not perfection.

Prioritizing your healing over traditions, expectations, and plans is okay—and encouraged. 

Resources:

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our focus in today’s episode is parenting a child with a disability, including the point of diagnosis, how the diagnosis might change over time, how it impacts pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and the ableism parents can face in reproductive care. Join us to learn more from today’s expert guest. 

Riley Blanton is a therapist specializing in reproductive mental health care in Kansas. She is passionate about the nuances within the perinatal space, including individuals parenting children with disabilities, abortion care, foster care, and adoption. Riley is the founder of the research-based website Postpartum Brain and of the perinatal-specific private practice Holding New Therapy. Her work includes publishing research-based articles on her website and appearing on various online media outlets. She is also the owner of Kansas Reproductive Therapy Center, which provides mental health professionals with specialized training in reproductive mental health, including ableism in reproductive care, pregnancy after loss, adoption, and foster care. 

Show Highlights:

Riley’s journey into this specialty, which began with the traumatic birth of her first child in 2019, followed by perinatal mental health challenges

Riley’s foster care and adoption experience with a disabled child

Meeting simple needs with accommodations for disabilities, like mobility issues and trauma-informed ways to deal with diagnoses

Different ways parents receive a diagnosis for their child–and the impact on mental health

Grief and a lot of ambiguous loss around a diagnosis that steals the expectations parents have for their child

The learning curve for parents dealing with a child’s disability, along with feelings of isolation and loneliness

Some diagnoses evolve over time, so parents must adjust and navigate new stages of the child’s needs.

Common frustrations of parents who suddenly become disability advocates for their child

Redefining self-care for parents

Feeling out of control with burnout, anxiety, and depression that can come with caregiving

Riley’s suggestions for avenues for help and support that are actually supportive

The complexity of a parent with a disability who is also parenting a child with a disability–and how internalized ableism can show up

The best ways for providers to support parents

There is still research to do and work to be done!

CEUs are available through the Kansas Reproductive Therapy Center.

Resources:

Connect with Riley Blanton: Holding New Therapy Website and @rileyrblanton IG

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest shares how she turned her difficulties into a passion for educating and supporting others. Her postpartum journey inspired her upcoming short film Postpartum. Join us to learn more!

Brittani Noel is a biracial filmmaker, actor, and mom of two. Her creative works delve into the emotional and psychological complexities of identity, race, and motherhood. Her award-winning short, The Other, examined the international racism experienced growing up mixed-race, garnering an official selection at the Oscar-qualifying Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF). Her film, Postpartum, continues this thread through the lens of maternal mental health. As an actor, Brittani most recently appeared in Leah McKendrick’s feature, Scrambled, opposite Yvonne Strahovski, and shares the screen with Tom Everett Scott in the comedy feature Rockbottom. Whether behind the camera or in front of it, Brittani is committed to telling stories that scare her a little and stay with the viewer for a long time.  

Show Highlights:

Brittani’s filmmaking journey: How it all began

Dealing with sleep deprivation

Persistent anxiety (to a certain extent) is part of motherhood.

Big changes in life and relationship dynamics when a new baby arrives

Maternal/paternal leave and parental support in other countries

Postpartum explores the social impact and societal expectations of new mothers.

The narrative Brittani wants to share with others through the film

Stigma and guilt around “trying to cope” with new motherhood (We need more conversations and support!)

The need for more education around pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum

Options that could be changed to make postpartum much better for new moms

Resources:

Connect with Brittani Noel and Postpartum: Postpartum (short film), Instagram Brittani Noel, and Instagram Postpartum film

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the 3rd in a four-part Behind the Sessions series about coping during the holidays with various perinatal mental health challenges. Today’s episode focuses on pregnancy loss. If you’re in a time of grief over the loss of a child, you are not alone. Many people are carrying deep feelings of grief and loss during a time when celebrating with sparkles of joy and peace feels painfully out of sync with their reality. You certainly didn’t ask for this, and now you have new, raw feelings to process. All of your feelings are real and valid. Everywhere you look, families are celebrating new babies and expected babies, and you may feel as if there is no safe space for your grief. You are probably experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions and waves of sadness and heartbreak. Let’s talk about how you can cope during this time of extreme pressure to “put on a happy face.”

Show Highlights:

This holiday season is NOT what you anticipated or prepared for.

Most people are unsure of what to say, and many of them will say the wrong things.

The love you have (for someone you never got to meet) deserves to be honored. Honor it in whatever ways you feel are best for you.

Your body is impacted by pregnancy loss, along with the emotional toll. Don’t feel pressured to “show up” for others. 

Two partners can experience and process grief in different ways; this can cause tension in your relationship.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Don’t feel like you should feel “a certain way.” 

Reframe with self-compassion and understanding. 

Find meaningful ways to remember your baby and give your grief a place to rest. 

Plan ahead for family gatherings by setting boundaries/expectations.

Don’t apologize for your grief and deep feelings of sadness.

Support groups can be helpful when you’re ready for them.

Grief is not linear with nicely packaged stages. Allow yourself to feel your emotions in whatever way works for you. 

My hope for you: “Be easy on yourself, approach your grief with compassion, give yourself time to process your feelings, and don’t put pressure or timelines on your healing.”

Resources:

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 
If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

En este episodio especial en español de Mom in Mind, la Dra. Kat recibe a Karla Cardoza, LMFT, PMFC, RYT200, y a Luisa Shamas de Postpartum Support International. Conversan sobre la importancia de ofrecer recursos de salud mental perinatal cultural y lingüísticamente adaptados para familias hispanohablantes. Karla y Luisa destacan el crecimiento de los grupos de apoyo en español de PSI, comparten experiencias personales y testimonios y explican cómo las familias pueden acceder a ayuda confidencial y compasiva. También enfatizan el valor del apoyo entre pares, la inclusión de parejas y el compromiso de las voluntarias, y destacan la dedicación de PSI a apoyar a familias latinas en todo el mundo mediante una atención accesible y empática.

Aspectos Destacados del Episodio:Recursos:

Recursos para familias hispanohablantes que enfrentan problemas de salud mental perinatal

Importancia de apoyo cultural y lingüísticamente apropiado

Rol de las voluntarias y grupos de apoyo en español en brindar asistencia

Testimonios de personas que han recibido apoyo de Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Importancia del apoyo entre pares en la recuperación de desafíos de salud mental perinatal

Expansión y accesibilidad de los grupos de apoyo en español

Consideraciones culturales en el cuidado y apoyo perinatal

Inclusión de padres y parejas en grupos de apoyo para mejorar la dinámica familiar

Red de voluntarias en América Latina, el Caribe y España para un apoyo personalizado

Recursos especializados para situaciones únicas, como la terminación del embarazo por complicaciones médicas

Conéctate con Karla y Luisahttps://postpartum.net/staff/karla-cardoza/, https://www.yerbabuenawellnessandcounseling.com/,@yerba.buena.wellness

Redes Sociales:PSI Español InstagramPSI Español Facebook

Página principal de PSI en español (con blogs en español al final de la página):https://postpartum.net/en-espanol/

Página de grupos de apoyo en español:https://postpartum.net/en-espanol/encuentros-de-apoyo-virtuales/

Programa de mentoras en español:https://postpartum.net/en-espanol/apoyo-de-pares/

Recursos especializados en español para familias:https://postpartum.net/en-espanol/recursos-especializados-para-madres-padres-y-familias/

Taller prenatal/posnatal:https://postpartum.net/en-espanol/del-embarazo-al-posparto/

Enlace para conectarse con una voluntaria en América Latina, el Caribe o EspañaLa persona debe hacer clic en "Conéctese con ayuda" para llenar un formulario:https://postpartum.net/get-help/latin-america-caribbean-bermuda/

Grupo cerrado de Facebook en español:https://www.facebook.com/groups/595053181756279

Conéctate con Rudo Savage y Mindset Mother:TikTok, The Words of the Lost Soul, y Becoming Whole in Pieces

Llama a la Línea Nacional de Salud Mental Materna al 1-833-TLC-MAMA o visita cdph.ca.gov.

Encuentra recursos en inglés y español en Postpartum Support International, o por teléfono/texto al 1-800-944-4773.

Hay muchos recursos gratuitos, como grupos de apoyo en línea, mentoras entre pares, un directorio de proveedores especialistas y capacitaciones en salud mental perinatal para terapeutas, médicos, enfermeras, doulas y cualquier persona que desee ofrecer mejores servicios.

También puedes seguir a PSI en redes sociales: Instagram, Facebook y la mayoría de las demás plataformas.

Visita www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ para obtener información sobre el curso de duelo.

Visita mi sitio web, www.wellmindperinatal.com, para más información, recursos y cursos que puedes comenzar hoy mismo.

Si eres residente de California y buscas un terapeuta especializado en salud mental perinatal, por favor, envíame un correo electrónico para consultar disponibilidad de sesiones privadas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s guest shares her story of turning her pain into purpose as she discusses mothers’ mental health conditions and the power of storytelling. Join us to hear her inspirational story.

Rudo Savage is a mental health advocate, mother of three, founder of Mindset Mother, and author of The Words of the Lost Soul and Becoming Whole in Pieces. Through her writing and mentoring, she empowers others to embrace healing, self-acceptance, and transformation, drawing on her personal, powerful journey of resilience. 

Show Highlights:

The inspiration to start Mindset Mother as a way to help others

Mental health issues were noticeable in Rudo’s teen years, with multiple diagnoses and medications

Describing what it’s like to live with emotional dysregulation as a mother of three children

Pregnancy and postpartum shifted and elevated Rudo’s mental health struggles.

Finding your identity as a new mother and adjusting to the never-ending care of your children

Rudo’s hospitalization experience and recovery to care for her children

Finding a passion for writing and the birth of her first book

Birth practices in the UK, when a “health visitor” comes to check on mother and baby during the postpartum

The toxicity of motherhood on social media makes it hard for other moms to be honest and real.

Rudo’s quest to find a therapist who was a good match for her in the UK’s flawed system

Finding healing through hearing others’ stories 

Overcoming the mindset of being a “good mother.”

Rudo’s family background and its impact on her transition to motherhood–finding acceptance in understanding the WHY

Writing a second book after taking time for healing: An overview of Becoming Whole in Pieces

Rudo’s advice for mothers in prioritizing time for themselves

Resources:

Connect with Rudo Savage and Mindset Mother: TikTok, The Words of the Lost Soul, and Becoming Whole in Pieces

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our first episode in this series was about infertility; today’s focus is on pregnancy. Our final two installments will cover pregnancy loss and postpartum. I’m discussing how holiday expectations might not align with what's happening. The holidays can feel like a mixed bag of joy and anticipation, while a lot of stress and pressure get thrown into the mix. We can’t deny our emotional truth, because that complicates everything.

The bottom line is that it’s no small thing to be pregnant during the holidays, and figuring out how to manage everything may be extra challenging while growing a baby. 

Show Highlights:

Mixed feelings: joy, excitement, and maybe a struggle to overcome nausea

Amplified pressure

Regulating your emotional and physical self 

Expectations, boundaries, and relational stress

Typical examples and reasons you need self-compassion

Perinatal mental health issues may leave you with sensory fatigue, irritability, and the pressure to be perfect.

Feelings of loneliness and disconnection

Financial strain and holiday spending pressure

It’s okay to slow down and set boundaries. 

Tips for navigating the holidays while pregnant:

Make mindset shifts as your priorities shift and change.

Prioritize intentional rest and protect your downtime.

Ask for help, delegate tasks, and learn to say NO. 

Plan to ensure emotional safety.

“You don’t have to prove that you’re doing enough.”

Resources:

Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visitcdph.ca.gov.

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. 

There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms.

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/for information on the grief course. 

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! 

If you are a California resident seeking a therapist in perinatal mental health, please email me about openings for private pay clients. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices