The Mama Struggle Podcast

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I'm chatting with Hailey Gibbs from the Center for American Progress. Hailey and her team authored an amazing report that looks at maternal health from a holistic perspective. In this episode we discuss how federal policies around housing, neighborhood safety, food security, healthcare access, insurance affordability, and access to reproductive health all impact the long term health of families and communities. 

Click here to read the full report authored by Hailey et. al.

Resources discussed in the episode:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Families: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

Other Center for American Progress Series on health-related topics:

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Tdkb0CSonBqdS6faYVOgQ

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This episode, I'm sharing a quick update about my IVIG (IV Immunoglobulin) treatments and their very real side effects. Life with a rare autoimmune disease is not fun. My dermatomyositis is improving but life has changed drastically. 

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Tdkb0CSonBqdS6faYVOgQ

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

TRIGGER WARNING: I discuss issues surrounding postpartum depression and anxiety and there is mention of suicidal ideation. Please take care of yourselves and skip this episode if that is a vulnerable space for you. Thank you. 

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I'm sharing my breastfeeding journey story from top to bottom. I don't hold back so please use discretion while listening. This may not be appropriate for work or for little ears. Thank you!

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Tdkb0CSonBqdS6faYVOgQ

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I'm chatting with doulas Stephanie Oliver and Ashaki Tobias of Maternal Love Baton Rouge about all things doula training, birth, and representation in birth work. To learn more about doula access in Baton Rouge, check out 

https://www.maternallovebr.com/

Mentioned in the episode:

Divine Bailey: https://www.instagram.com/divinebirthwisdom/

Sista Midwife Trainings: https://www.sistamidwifedirectory.com/

"Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" by Penny Simkins:

https://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Childbirth-Newborn-Complete-Guide/dp/0738284971/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=penny+simkin+pregnancy+childbirth+and+the+newborn&qid=1660744526&sprefix=penny+sim%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1

Count the Kicks App (iOS):

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/count-the-kicks/id844800332

Count the Kicks App (android)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.healthybirthday.countthekicks&hl=en_US&gl=US

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Tdkb0CSonBqdS6faYVOgQ

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I chat with an old friend, Lonnie Dupree about her experience with ectopic pregnancy, IVF, and how having to advocate for herself during a medical emergency positioned her to be able to advocate for another family. 

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Tdkb0CSonBqdS6faYVOgQ 

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode this week! This week I'm rebroadcasting my 2020 chat with IBCLC (at the time of this recording she was still studying to take her exam, congratulations Chanelle!) Chanelle Andrews about breastfeeding, its importance, and how to ask for support. Chanelle is the owner of Hey Mama LPC supporting breastfeeding and chest feeding clients throughout Southern and Central New Jersey. 

Chanelle can be reached on her website https://heymamalpc.com/

and via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heymamalpc/

To learn more about The Mama Struggle, please feel free to visit us on

Our website: https://themamastruggle.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themamastruggleisreal

Instagram: @themamastruggle

Check out the interview archive on our YouTube Channel:

If you would like to share your stories and reflections on show topics, please shoot us an email at [email protected].

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers:

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for tuning in to another episode. This week, I am giving a more in-depth update on my autoimmune disease and talking about everything from my latest prednisone taper to hair loss to my latest self care obsession. Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! Thanks for coming back to another episode. Today is a solo episode where I get very candid about how hard it has been to be a mother with a chronic autoimmune disease. I touch on imposter syndrome and even feeling like a failure. I'd love to hear about your experiences! Thanks for listening!

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners, welcome back to another episode! Ever heard of cows milk protein intolerance? Infants with It are often mistaken for just being colicky. My daughter went from a calm, easy baby to a rashy, screaming child in the first days and weeks of her life earth side. Do you have a cow's milk protein intolerance story? Share it at [email protected]. 

Hey Mama Struggle Listeners! This week, I have another solo episode for you during which I give my experience searching for and finding daycare/childcare and preschool for my little ones. I also give some tips at the end of the episode to help you with your childcare search. As always, thanks for listening and talk to you soon!