Changing the Narrative Around Motherhood with Amanda Gurman

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Content Warning: c-section, medical procedures, swearing, rage, mental illness

On today’s episode I am talking with Amanda Gurman who hosts the podcast Honest as a Mother, about her introduction to motherhood and the impact on her mental health. Amanda shares honestly and openly about her experiences with postpartum anxiety, depression and rage as well as how her recent diagnosis with ADHD impacts her parenting. Amanda also talks about her recovery and how she supports new parents by talking about the realities of parenting and how she is trying to change the narrative around motherhood. Amanda is an author (check out her books in the show notes), a podcast editor, a mom and an amazing person! 

Highlights: 

1:21 - Amanda’s introduction to motherhood; c-section, challenges with nursing,
6:56 - Changing the narrative around motherhood, not loving the work of parenting,
12:47 - Giving permission to do what works for me,
17:30 - Amanda had her daughter in 2016 and experienced irritability, anger, rage,
22:36 - Feeling not like yourself, intrusive thoughts, 
25:33 - Amanda was diagnosed with postpartum rage,
32:13 - Amanda was recently diagnosed with ADHD, 
37:22 - We all struggle with parenting, now Amanda puts herself first,
39:15 - Relationship dynamics with her husband, husband needed support
43:08 - Coming to terms with the experience of postpartum rage/anxiety/depression,
44:17 - Grief around that period of time,
55:29 - Amanda’s recovery; therapy and ADHD, Amanda started writing, baby’s first birthday,
1:01:33 - Amanda’s writing and podcast Honest as a Mother,
1:09:51 - You’re not alone, it’s ok to not be ok, don’t be afraid to seek help.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

You can find Amanda on Instagram @amanda.gurman 

You can listen to Amanda’s podcast Honest as a Mother on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/honest-as-a-mother/id1516360281 

You can get Amanda’s Books Honest as a Mother Book 1 and 2 on Amazon (Book 2 was just released in September!) 
https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Amanda-Gurman/author/B0BG8WV4CS?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

And check out Momming Hard that Amanda co-authored

https://www.amazon.ca/MOMMING-HARD-Normalizing-Beautiful-Motherhood/dp/1777017769/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OZHKD4ZN1ZTK&keywords=Momming%20Hard&qid=1669733691&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=m%2Caps%2C827&sr=8-1 

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email [e-mail]

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at [e-mail] and I can help you find support in your area or online. 
You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com . 

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