Can We Talk About This‪?‬ thepowerofbirth

In this episode, Amber-lee, your host, sits down with Ebony, a young mother from Brisbane, as she shares her journey living with Epilepsy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), which is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. Ebony opens up about her diagnoses, the impact of these conditions on her young life and current life, and the emotional rollercoaster of discovering her son Flynn has inherited CMT sharing the early signs of the condition to the supportive interventions that have helped him thrive. Ebony shares the challenges specifically living with epilepsy and the many unknowns in her life. This episode sheds light on the realities of living with a disability and raising a child with a genetic condition and the importance of support, education, and understanding in navigating these challenges. Ebony shares her reflections on resilience, acceptance, and advocacy and it was a beautiful conversation. 
 
You can find Ebony: @kingeeebs
 
Since this episode was recorded, Ebony has had her second baby via elective ceasarean and is enjoying the newborn bubble. For those wanting an update for her son Flynn, he is now walking and is enjoying his newfound skill. Ebony mentions that his feet still turn inward but they have been seeing a podiatrist to help as well as continuing with physio and hydro. Ebony says that Flynn has come so far since our conversation and that CMT definitely hasn’t stopped him from living a full life as a toddler. 

This episode delves into the complex and often overlooked topic of prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal diagnosis involves genetic, developmental, or health issues in an unborn baby and statistics show that approximately 1 in 22 babies have a major congenital anomaly, and many of these diagnoses are made before birth. These diagnoses can be distressing and traumatic, presenting parents with difficult decisions and often accompanied by significant emotional and psychological challenges.
Your host, Amber-lee, has the pleasure of speaking with Pieta Shakes, founder of Through The Unexpected, a charity working to advocate for systemic and societal change and supports families navigating a prenatal diagnosis. Pieta shares her personal journey of receiving a prenatal diagnosis in her third trimester, describing the emotional turmoil, decision-making challenges, and the gaps in the healthcare system that often fail to support parents adequately. She discusses the importance of community, the need for better training for healthcare professionals to provide empathetic and informed care to parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis, and finding hope amidst uncertainty.
In this conversation, Pieta and Amber-lee explore the nuanced and varied experiences of parents navigating prenatal diagnoses, the impact on mental health, and the societal stigmas attached. They also talk about Pieta’s research focusing on the psychosocial aspects of prenatal diagnosis and her dedication to improving support systems for families facing these challenges. Pieta’s insights and advocacy for better care and support highlight the critical need for change in how we address and manage prenatal diagnoses.
 
If you are currently navigating prenatal diagnosis please see support, resources and information by Through The Unexpected: https://throughtheunexpected.org.au/
 
Find Pieta here: @throughtheunexpected 

*As always, please consider what you are consuming
Amber-lee is joined by Ariane Beeston, postnatal psychosis survivor, psychologist,  former child protection caseworker, and writer who courageously shares her journey through postnatal psychosis after the birth of her son over a decade ago. Ariane's harrowing experience, detailed in her memoir "Because I'm Not Myself You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back from the Brink," offers a raw, real, and devastatingly honest look into the some of the most taboo and stigmatised experiences in maternal mental health.
 
Postnatal psychosis is a severe form of perinatal mental illness that occurs in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 mothers, typically within days to the first six weeks after childbirth. It is characterized by extreme confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of touch with reality, making it a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate treatment.
 
Ariane discusses the intense symptoms including seeing her baby as a dragon, thoughts of death and ending her life, the isolation of that time and shame around her experiences, the physical and emotional toll of depression, and the fears that kept her silent for so long. She reveals how a combination of expert psychiatric care, medication, and unwavering support from her husband helped her find a path to recovery. 
Amber-lee and Ariane explore the importance of acknowledging and addressing perinatal mental illness, the often-misunderstood nature of postpartum psychosis, intrusive thoughts, mandatory reporting and the vital role of support systems for both mothers and their families. This episode is a powerful testament to the importance of breaking the silence around maternal mental health struggles, and also the difficulties in bringing them to light.
 
Ariane's story is heartbreaking, but also carries so much hope for those who are currently struggling. Her book is shockingly relatable to any mother who has felt the weight of maternal mental illness and is brutally honest about that time and presentations of psychosis. I loved her book and hope the world accepts this beautiful and devastating poetic piece as it is.   
 
You can purchase her book here: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/because-im-not-myself-you-see
 
Find Ariane on socials: @arianebeeston 
Read more of her work for COPE here:https://www.cope.org.au/author/ariane/
 
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, particularly related to perinatal or postpartum experiences, here are some valuable resources that can provide support and guidance:
www.cope.org.au
www.panda.org.au & National Helpline: 1300 726 306
www.lifeline.org.au  & 24/7 Crisis Support: 13 11 14
www.postpartum.net (global)

Do you feel different after having a baby? We've talked about matrescence but this episode is dedicated to understanding the biological changes and components of matrescence through a neuroscience lens. Host Amber-lee is joined by Dr. Sarah McKay, a renowned neuroscientist and author of Baby Brain: The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better), to delve deep into the neuroscience of motherhood, debunking common myths surrounding 'baby brain' and the changes women experience during pregnancy and after childbirth. From the influence of hormones to the reorganisation of the brain, Dr. McKay shares groundbreaking insights into how motherhood impacts the female brain, challenging the stigma associated with postnatal cognitive changes. Alongside discussing the physiological changes, this episode explores paternal brain adaptations, the psychology behind maternal instincts, and the vital importance of mental health and support for new mothers. Join us as together we shed light on the beauty and complexity of brain changes in motherhood, advocating for a mother-focused approach in society's understanding and support of women's health. Don't miss this episode full of revelations that will change the way you think about 'baby brain' and the incredible adaptability of the human brain during the journey of motherhood!
 
Get Dr Sarah McKay's book here: https://drsarahmckay.com/books/
and find her on socials @drsarahmckay 
 
Transcript available www.thepowerofbirth.net 
 
 

In this enlightening episode, host Amber-lee, delves into the complex web of anger and rage in motherhood with guest Yara Heary, a dedicated psychologist from Life After Birth Psychology. They explore the nuances of anger as both a valid and misunderstood emotion, distinct yet connected to the journey of mothering. The conversation traverses the landscape of societal expectations, cultural contexts, and the barriers that mothers face, illuminating the intricate ways in which support systems, or the lack thereof, shape our experiences, while sharing their own mothering experiences with rage. Aimed at breaking down stigmas and navigating the turbulent waters of maternal emotions, this episode offers insights into reclaiming power, finding community, and the transformational paths through the protective emotion of anger.
This episode is a powerful listen and I hope it brings you some relief, but also the motivation to find support where you need it. 
 
Yara's Why Am I So Angry self paced course is available here: https://lifeafterbirthpsychology.podia.com/why-am-i-so-angry
 
Work with Yara or listen to her podcast: https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/ 
 
Transcript available www.thepowerofbirth.net 

In the final episode of the mental health mini-series, join host Amber-lee as she explores the transformative power of self-compassion. I delve into the concept of self-compassion with insights from leading researcher Dr. Kristen Neff and discover the key elements of self-kindness, shared humanity, and mindfulness as tools to nurture understanding and care towards oneself. Through relatable scenarios of fictional mothers Kate and Nora, listeners witness the impact of self-compassion on navigating the challenges of motherhood and emotional health. Practical strategies and insights are offered and backed by neuroscience to cultivate self-compassion and reshape inner dialogues. Tune in to uncover the importance of challenging societal stigmas and beliefs to embrace self-compassion as a form of self-love and empowerment, understand why self-compassion precedes gratitude and how practicing kindness with determination leads to personal growth. Self-compassion fosters resilience, enhances motivation, and promotes emotional wellbeing - compassion is not a weakness, in fact it is so powerful it can quite literally transform your brain for the better! 
Thank you for tuning into the mental health mini-series! Don't forget to leave a review on whatever podcast platform you are listening on. I appreciate you for being here!
 
Resources:
Dr Kristen Neff website: https://self-compassion.org/
Kristen Neff self-compassion test: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-test/
To find out more about the perfect mother myth mentioned in this episode see: https://drsophiebrock.com/
Grab your free self compassion based motherhood affirmations here: https://www.thepowerofbirth.net/
 
Finding Support in Australia:
PANDA.org.au 
1300 726 306
COPE.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Gidget Foundation
Black Dog Institute 1300 851 758
 
Disclaimer: While the content of this podcast is intended to provide support and guidance, it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The techniques and practices discussed here are general in nature and may not be suitable for everyone.
If you are experiencing significant distress, mental health concerns, or trauma, I encourage you to seek support from a qualified mental health professional. Additionally, if at any point during this episode you feel overwhelmed or triggered, please turn it off and talk to someone or do something that is helpful to you.
 
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the last episode of the mental health mini series, episode six, make self compassion your superpower. There is actual power in self compassion. And if you were anything like me a couple of years ago, and you really lacked self compassion, I hope that this episode just plants the seed of self compassion today I first want to give you a good understanding of what self compassion is. So it's a concept that's gained a lot of attention, but thanks to psychologists like Dr. Kristen Neff, who is now the leading researcher in self compassion. She says it involves treating ourselves with the same kindness, concern, and support we'd offer a good friend when they're struggling. There are three key parts to this. Self kindness. Shared humanity and mindfulness. I did mindfulness a few episodes ago, so make sure that you go back and check that one out to help balance this out a little bit.
And as I have a focus on mothers in this podcast, women's health, motherhood, reproductive health, and perinatal mental health, or just mental health in general. That's because motherhood comes with these incredibly high unrealistic expectations, which then turn, harsh judgments, whether that be from yourself or from others. It's all perpetuated by the myth of this perfect mother, this perfect mother does not exist. And yet every mother to some degree will set her expectations up against her perception of what the perfect mother is. And this myth can make us feel like we are never enough and that we're a bad mom and that we're never measu