Postpartum Talks

In this episode, Rotem talks with Alyson, a birth and postpartum doula and lactation counselor who became a new mom during COVID. Alyson takes us back to her pregnancy during lockdown, when she planned a home birth that turned into an exhausting hospital transfer by fire truck, and how she came home to a house that didn't feel like hers.

They talk about the "sundown scaries", that wave of anxiety when night approaches and you don't know what the baby will do, breastfeeding challenges, triple feeding, switching off nights with her partner, earplugs as a survival tool, and how a postpartum support group on Zoom and the PSI mantra "I am not alone. I am not to blame. With help, I will be well" helped her through the darkest days. Alyson also shares how going through postpartum herself changed the way she supports new parents today, and the moment she realized she is the expert of her own baby.

Music Credits: Ron Sheffer [email protected]

You can reach out to Rotem Pearlson: https://www.rotemdoula.com/contact-8-1

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any medical concerns.

In this episode, Rotem talks with Shosh, a Stanford economics professor and mom of two, about how different her two postpartum experiences were. Shosh takes us back to that unforgettable third day with her first baby, when he wouldn’t stop crying, and she had no idea what was wrong.

They talk about breastfeeding, pumping, sleep, carriers, and the moment Shosh realized she didn’t have to figure everything out on her own. With her second baby, she felt much more prepared and knew what to do when things got tricky.

Music Credits: Ron Sheffer [email protected]

You can reach out to Rotem Pearlson: https://www.rotemdoula.com/contact-8-1

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any medical concerns.

In this episode, Rotem sits down with Leti, an Italian mom living in the US with her husband and three kids. Leti shares her honest journey through two very different births, the overwhelming love and reality of early postpartum, contact naps, baby wearing, harvesting colostrum, breastfeeding twins, and navigating safe sleep with an intense fear of SIDS.

She also opens up about social media's toll on her mental health, the gaps in postpartum care, and why therapy and pelvic floor treatment were game-changers. Her takeaway? Things get better. You will sleep again.

Music Credits: Ron Sheffer [email protected]

You can reach out to Rotem Pearlson: https://www.rotemdoula.com/contact-8-1

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any medical concerns.

In this episode, I sit down with Carolina, who gave birth thousands of miles away from her family in Chile. She shares the stark contrast between her birth experience, long, unexpected, but deeply supported, and her postpartum journey, which she vulnerably describes as horrendous.

From breastfeeding struggles in the very first days to the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum hormones and the weight of feeling judged while being far from home, Carolina opens up about it all. Together, we discuss the pressure to do everything "right," how to navigate criticism, and what it truly means to advocate for yourself during one of life's biggest transitions.

Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this honest conversation is a powerful reminder that you're not alone.

Chapters:

00:00 Postpartum Talks Interview with Carolina

03:00 Carolina's Birth Plan vs Reality

09:16 The Postpartum Harsh Reality

10:38 Misdiagnosed Perimenopause

14:16 Progesterone Explained

21:18 Breastfeeding challenges

24:57 Finger Feeding Explained

32:08 Hurtful feedback and setting boundaries

36:12 Healing & Self Care

43:27 Tools and Advice

Music Credits: Ron Sheffer [email protected]⁠

You can reach out to Rotem Pearlson: ⁠https://www.rotemdoula.com/contact-8-1⁠

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any medical concerns.