Beyond Postpartum

In this episode Jasmine and I talk about her journey with postpartum depression and anxiety, the difference in having babies before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, and support she found being part of one of our groups - even when she was skeptical at first. We talk about what it is like to be part of our support groups, and I give details at the end of the episode that hopefully answer all your burning questions about group. You ...

In this episode I talk to Heather, who is a mom of 4, a twin mom, an RN, and one of the newer staff members here at Pacific Post Partum! Heathers shares her 3 different experiences with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, her birth stories, what helped in recovery, and the healing journey she has been on since then. CW: Heather shares her experiences with pregnancy loss, and she shares some intrusive thoughts that might be upsett...

In this episode of Beyond Postpartum my guest is A.J. Lowik (they/them/theirs), who is a researcher and PhD candidate with the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice, at the University of British Columbia. Their dissertation research explores and documents how trans people strategically navigate reproductive health care spaces that weren't built with them in mind, and how trans peoples gender identities and ...

CW: miscarriage and pregnancy loss.

In this episode of Beyond Postpartum we hear from Myriam Steinberg who is a single parent by choice, who went through over 4 years of infertility and losses before conceiving and giving birth to her now two-year-old twins. She documented her journey along the way, and then turned her journey into an amazing memoir in the form of a graphic novel. And luckily for us, she also shares her st...

 My guest in this episode of Beyond Postpartum is Georgie. Georgie first came to PPPSS as a volunteer, over 23 years ago, and has been an integral part of PPPSS since! In this interview she shares her journey with postpartum anxiety and depression, and how a single conversation was the turning point for her healing. Georgie also shares about the importance of self-compassion, and how meaningful it has been in her life, and how thin...

In this episode, Clare returns, and we talk about all things self care - what it is, what it isn't, why it's important, and why it is not enough. Self care is one of those loaded terms that many of us don't fully understand. I know it took me a long time to figure out what self care means to me, and how to do it in the midst of the chaos of life. And right now, during the holidays, and through the Covid-19 pandemic, ...

My guest for this episode of Beyond Postpartum is Dr. Walker Ladd, Ph.D., who has just released the 2nd edition of her book Transformed by Postpartum Depression: Women's Stories of Trauma and Growth, which is based on her groundbreaking research about how untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) impact new parents and families in deep and significant ways. In addition to being a researcher and an author, Dr. Ladd...

In this episode I was honoured to have the lovely Janelle Hanchett as my guest. Janelle is a mom of four beautiful kiddos, the creator of the blog Renegade Mothering, and in 2018 she published a memoir, ‘I’m Just Happy to Be Here,’ which is a beautifully written and powerful book about her journey through addiction and recovery. She is also a writing teacher and editor, and hosts the most amazing writing retreats and workshops. Her...

My guest for this episode of Beyond Postpartum is the lovely Olivia Scobie, who is a mom of two, a Registered Social Worker who supports individuals and families in her private counselling practice, the founder of Postpartum Support Toronto (PPSTO), and the author of an amazing and soon-to-be released book called 'Impossible Parenting: Creating a New Culture of Mental Health for Parents.' And of course, so much more! I ab...

I'm so excited to share this episode of Beyond Postpartum with all of you. Our guest for this episode is Allie Brite-Hamel who's journey through postpartum anxiety and depression inspired her to write her first book 'If Mommy's Being Honest.' It's a children's book about perinatal mental health, but it's just as much for parents, as she explains in our conversation. She also shares about her ...

In this episode of Beyond Postpartum I had the honor of speaking with Jennifer Norris-Hale who is (among so many other things) a mom of 3, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Mission: Motherhood. It was such a joy to talk with Jennifer, and we touched on so many important topics including birth trauma, being true to your own needs, and the importance of social support. She also tells us all about about Mission: Motherhood and why she ...

Have you ever had upsetting thoughts or images jump into your head seemingly out of nowhere? Those are called intrusive thoughts! If you have had these random unwanted thoughts before (and most of us have!) this episode is for you. In this episode of Beyond Postpartum, I chat with Dr. Nichole Fairbrother, who is a psychologist, clinical associate professor with the UBC Island Medical Program, and the director of the Perinatal Anxie...

In this episode of Beyond Postpartum I had the opportunity to chat with Mary Gillis. Mary is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works with families experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss, infant loss, and birth trauma. In this episode she shares about her own journey through 9 years of infertility, the things that were integral to her healing journey, and the common struggles and emotions that come up for those experiencing inf...

In this episode we hear from Marlas, who is a Queer parent who experienced multiple losses, and she shares her journey from her lowest point through to recovery from perinatal mental illness. We do talk briefly about suicide, so if this is a hard subject for you to listen too, please take care of yourself in whatever way you need to, and reach out for support if it's hitting hard for you. At the end I share an exciting announc...