In this podcast episode we're talking about postpartum care and the work of postpartum doulas with Danielle Bensky. Danielle is a postpartum doula and Founder of Mothers Transition, providing postpartum doula services in Helsinki, Finland. She is also part of the NEST doula collective in Finland, working with foreign families in English.

Danielle tells us about what it is exactly that postpartum doulas do, and why their support is invaluable for new mothers. She highlights how this kind of postpartum care used to be universal a very long time ago, and how it is important to bring it back and make it a part of essential pregnancy and mother and baby care. 

She also gives tips to those mums who don't have access to postpartum doulas and shares practical advice about what they can do to prepare for a positive postpartum experience.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Danielle!

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In this podcast episode we're talking about paternal mental health, or the mental health of fathers with Mark Williams. Mark is a keynote speaker, published author, and international campaigner for fathers' mental health. He founded International Fathers Mental Health Day and and the #HowAreYouDad Campaign to help ensure that all parents and families are supported throughout the perinatal period. You can find out more about Mark on his website markwilliamsfmh.co.uk.

Mark shines a light on this very important area as he shares his own story and how he got involved in fathers' mental health. We learn how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects a lot of fathers witnessing a traumatic birth, and how suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.  According to recent research from Canada 1 in 4 fathers suffer from anxiety and depression during the perinatal period, a figure that is a lot higher than the official 1 in 10.

Mark identifies antenatal education, communication on labour wards, and mental health awareness as ways the situation could be improved. As Mark observes, although men are less likely to open up about their feelings initially, they will do so in a safe place. Support groups for dads are ideal for these kinds of conversations, and family and friends can also help encourage men to talk about their emotional wellbeing and ask for help. 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Mark!

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In this podcast episode we're talking about maternal mental health with Jennifer Norris-Hale. Jennifer is the Founder of Mission: Motherhood, a community in Fort Wayne, Indiana for all mothers of all backgrounds experiencing maternal mental health conditions.

Jennifer shares her own story and why she got involved in supporting mothers struggling with mental health issues. She gives valuable tips for mums who are struggling, and for partners or family members who would like to support them. 

She explains how Mission: Motherhood supports local mums, and how other communities can follow suit. She also tells us about their most recent initiatives such as Diaper Bank and Pantry Network, and how these are connected to maternal mental health.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Jennifer!

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