The Real Deal Series: Postpartum Mental Health “Medication Saved My Life”

This season is called “The Real Deal Series: Where Real Bodies, Real Parenting, and Real Talk Collide!” The reality of this episode is that medication saved our lives….and still is. In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode, Rachel and Tina pull back the curtain on the realities of postpartum mental health. We discuss their own journeys through depression, anxiety, miscarriage, medication, overstimulation, motherhood rage, and learning to ask for help.

You’ll hear about the real statistics (and the gaps) on perinatal mood disorders, the impact of medication—and how it saved both of us, and the crushing stigma that keeps many parents from getting help. We discuss the systemic obstacles in our society that doesn’t set up birthing people to succeed and the reality of maternity care deserts and limited access to support. We also offer hope, tools, and share moments that actually helped during the darkest times

If you're struggling, please reach out for help. If you need support finding resources in Texas or California, send us an email. We want to be part of your village.

Trigger Warning: this episode includes discussion of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, depression, and suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening, and skip this episode if needed.

To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram: @momgenesthepodcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Real Deal” Series: Birth Plans 

This season is called “The Real Deal Series: Where Real Bodies, Real Parenting, and Real Talk Collide!” In this episode, we discuss the intersection of diet culture’s messages about bodies on pregnancy and birthing. We share the personal birth stories that had us digging deeper into societal messages and attending therapy to unpack the impact on our body relationship. We offer statistics of birth methods and resources for mental health that would be supportive to our listeners.

Additonal Resources:

www.postpartum.net

“Rebounding from Childbirth” by Lynn Madsen

To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram: @momgenesthepodcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Real Deal” Series

This season is called “The Real Deal Series: Where Real Bodies, Real Parenting, and Real Talk Collide!” In this episode, we discuss what we’ve been up to for the last few years and why on earth we are starting this podcast up again. We update listeners about our lives and what to expect from Mom Genes (which is officially legally trademarked as our name!) moving forward.

To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram: @momgenesthepodcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

In our final episode of season 4, we chat about the challenges of self care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. We celebrate cohost Tina Laboy’s pregnancy while listening to the challenges she is currently facing and announce our plans for the next chapter of our podcast!

Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:

Dear Mom Genes,

I am currently pregnant with my third kid and I am noticing the different challenges that this pregnancy has vs. the past pregnancies.  I hear everyone talking about the importance of self care during pregnancy, but honestly I don’t have time.  How is this even possible?  What does self care look like when your life doesn’t feel like yours anymore?  What if I am upset with my body, because it is in pain and is sore and tired?  I need your advice. Thank you! Pregnant Parent

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations. 

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

In part two of this week’s topic about postpartum depression, we interview Stephanie Asher of @selflovelegacy about the most common warning signs of perinatal mood disorders. We openly share about which symptoms we all personally experienced and normalize the physical and emotional challenges of the fourth trimester. Stephanie shares her process of increasing self love and self care through her personal and parenting journey as well as how she helps others in their healing process. We share resources for additional support and offer encouragement to listeners who may be experiencing dark times.

Connect with Stephanie Asher:

IG @selflovelegacy

http://www.selflovelegacy.com

Podcast: Self Love with Stephanie

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

In part one of this week’s topic about postpartum depression we discuss the statistics of postpartum depression and anxiety and the warning signs that may indicate you are struggling with this extremely common diagnosis. We share red flags, explain the science behind why perinatal mood disorders are so prevalent, and offer resources if you need support. 

Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:

Dear Mom Genes,

I have struggled with being overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling stuck in my new phase as a mom with two young children. I feel like the world is passing me by and each day I am just trying to survive. I want to learn to thrive, but the things that will make me feel alive are the self care hobbies (I miss my book club), activities (I miss yoga), and behaviors (I just want to sleep and cook a decent meal!) just don’t feel feasible. How can I practice self care even while I am struggling with what is probably postpartum depression? Love, Exhausted Mama

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

This week we are chatting about life after chronic dieting. When we let go of the routine, rules, and structure that diet culture offers as a safety net for eating, we are often faced with the unknown of how to be a mindful eater. We know that diet culture is toxic and the rules ignored our body attunement, but how do we switch gears? Especially when dieting has offered us reliability in an unreliable life. We share tips for mindful eating, offer journal prompts to explore the fears of letting go of dieting, and how to let go of control over our bodies to find body trust.

Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:

Dear Mom Genes, 

I am over it!  I have dieted for, literally, my entire life. I was put on a diet by my parents as a kid and have just continued that cycle throughout my entire adult hood.  Now that I have given up on dieting I feel lost and very scared about the unknown as well as what my future holds.  Am I capable of doing life without dieting?  One of the main reasons that I am rejecting dieting is for my kids, because I don’t want them to grow up with the same lifestyle that I had, but I feel pretty lost.  What is next?  HELP! Wandering Parent

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

In this week’s episode we elaborate on the type of hunger that is labeled “emotional eating” and help you define your understanding of what this entails and how to increase your awareness around emotional urges to eat. We give tips on how to separate out food and feelings and when using food as a coping skill is normal versus problematic. We explore the beauty that food offers through pleasure and connection and why emotional eating has increased during the pandemic. We believe that emotional hunger is a biologically normal hunger and that food is a beautiful gift, and we hope that the education surrounding this topic in this episode helps you find peace and enjoy food freedom.

Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:

Dear Mom Genes,

I am really confused on the definition of emotional eating. I feel like people demonize this term, but I also don’t want to be doing it wrong. If I am eating because I am sad or lonely, is that wrong?  Or what about if I am celebrating a holiday or birthday with my kids? Can I eat the cake even if I am not hungry?  I feel like there is a lot of negativity around emotional eating and that we shouldn’t be doing it or else we are not doing intuitive eating correctly.  Can you elaborate? Thanks for your help, Emotional Mama.

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

Did you know there is more than just one simple “hunger” that we experience? In this episode we explore three types of hunger: physical, logical, and emotional. We explain each type, give examples of how this may appear, and give you tips on how to be more in attunement with the type of hunger you may be experiencing. We encourage curiosity and mindfulness as you navigate understanding your bodies cues and give education on how to increase your non judgemental stance towards your hunger.

Our amazing listeners also wrote in and in this episode we will answer the following question:

Dear Mom Genes,

I am learning so much about how to listen to my body’s signals to finally break the diet cycle. I’m more in touch with my hunger cues, learning to understand when I feel full, and even aware when I’m wanting a snack when I’m feeling bored or sad instead of hungry. But I still have times when I get a little confused if what I’m feeling is physical hunger, if I’m just in the mood for a certain food, or if it’s emotional eating. Can you give more details on the types of hunger so I can keep learning to differentiate? Love, Hungry Parent

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.

The “Bite Sized Education” Series

In part 2 of exploring “what is healthy eating?” we dive deep into the systemic roots of diet culture and the inequality around health that perpetuates binary definitions of health. We explore how privilege unfairly defines health standards and determines healthy lifestyles while not being inclusive to various cultures, socio economic statuses, and access to resources.

We interview Deanna Belleny Lewis, MPH RDN about how her work in public health and her passion about diversifying the field of nutrition has led her to debunking myths about healthy eating. Deanna shares her definition of health and how she helps clients navigate finding a relationship with nutrition that works for them, regardless of resources and finances. Deanna also shares her favorite resources and ways to support food desert communities. 

LINKS:

https://www.deannabellenylewis.com

https://www.diversifydietetics.org

https://gritsinc.org

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Food Heaven podcast: “When Healthy Eating Becomes an Obsession” episode 

https://foodheavenmadeeasy.com/when-healthy-eating-becomes-an-obsession-w-christy-harrison/

For full episode information and links discussed in the episode, please go to www.momgenesthepodcast.com. To connect with the Mom Genes community, check out our Instagram @momgenesthepodcast or Facebook group: Mom Genes The Podcast. Please email us your questions or thoughts for future episodes at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to take a screenshot and share it out on Instagram and tag @momgenesthepodcast. We will be sure to share your comments and re-posts in our Instagram stories! In order to not miss a single episode, SUBSCRIBE and please give us a RATING and REVIEW on iTunes!

The information presented in this podcast does not replace individual therapy or nutrition recommendations.