Dam Parenting Dam Parenting Podcast

Episode 2 - and this time today's guest is Professor Birit Broekman from the POP Polis clinic in OLVG (Amsterdam).

It's estimated that two in ten pregnancy women and postpartum mothers has a psychiatric condition such as major depressive disorder, a panic disorder, postpartum psychosis or postpartum depression. OLVG has the POP outpatient clinic where experts from the fields of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Paediatrics collaborate to provide a holisitic all rounded approach to help mothers and mothers to be.



The teams involved


Psychologist. Do you suffer from psychological complaints or do you have a mental illness? The psychologist will then guide you through this with the help of conversations and/or therapy.
Psychiatrist. Are you taking medication during your pregnancy? A psychiatrist is then involved in the guidance. This can inform you about medication use during your pregnancy and possibly help you (temporarily) reduce it.
Gynaecologist. A gynaecologist checks your physical health. They can also assess if there are any risks associated with your pregnancy.
Paediatrician. The paediatrician can tell you what care your baby needs. Did you take antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications during pregnancy? They will then check whether this has had an influence on your baby's health.

In this episode, Maren and Eva ask Prof Broekmans about the services available from the POP Polis to mothers in her own clinic. From prior to conception, through pregnancy and into postpartum - the clinic is providing essential support that everyone should be aware of should they feel they need more support on their journey into motherhood.





Links:

You can find a list of all POP Polis clinics in the Netherlands here

Chandelle is back - our midwife based in Amsterdam who was first on on episode 11 where she explained all about the midwife training and expectations.



In this episode - Chandelle explains what is to be expected from our midwifes in the 6 weeks after giving birth and what women should take into consideration for their own mental health.



Midwife's are paramount in our pregnancy, birthing and fourth trimester period - so having a good relationship with them is paramount. They are the individuals who will bear witness to our journey into matrescence. So ensuring we are taking care of ourselves, not just the physical, and nourishing way but also mental support - our midwifes can help us along our path into motherhood and beyond, feeling strong, capable and cared for.

Welcome to a special announcements episode!

Dam Parenting launched just 6 months ago - and today marks 55th episode being released and there are lots to celebrate for our niche audience!

ALSO

Eva and Maren are thrilled to launch the DamParenting Maternal Mental Health Series for the entire month of May. With over 15 episodes crafted in collaboration with our local community, Dam Parenting aims to be a vital resource for our international family community living in the Netherlands.

Navigating pregnancy, birthing, and parenthood can be a daunting journey filled with uncertainties, especially when language and cultural barriers come into play. Our special series is designed to provide the knowledge and support you deserve, eliminating the need for endless research, translation, and struggles alone.

Join Maren and Eva as they kick off this transformative series on Wednesday 1st of May. Whether you're an expectant parent, a new mom or dad, or simply curious about the world of parenting, these episodes are tailored to resonate with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to Dam Parenting on your favourite podcast platforms, follow us on Instagram, and share this invaluable resource with your community.

Above all, we hope this series enlightens, empowers, and inspires you, shining a light on the dedicated community of service providers ready to support you on your parenting journey. Together, let's embrace the beauty and challenges of parenthood with confidence and grace!

In this insightful episode, Maren and Eva are joined again by Ilena Standring, a passionate doula and advocate and expert on matrescence—the journey of becoming a mother.

Dana Raphael created the term matrescence in 1973.

Matrescence is a profound transformation that encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological changes as women transition into motherhood - where in the last episode with Dr Naomi, together they spoke about the identity shift. Ilena will discuss the intricacies of this transformative process, shedding light on the joys, challenges, and complexities that come with it.

From the shifting dynamics of relationships to the evolution of self-identity and the balancing act of motherhood, we explore the multifaceted aspects of matrescence. Ilena shares valuable perspectives, practical tips, and empowering insights to help navigate this transformative journey with grace and resilience.

Whether you're a new mom, expecting mother, or someone interested in understanding the transformative power of motherhood, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and understanding. Join Eva, Maren and Ilena as they break down matrescence and celebrate the incredible strength and beauty of the motherhood journey.



You can find out more on Ilena on her instagram:

Ilena_j_standring



Be sure to share this within your community, mothers to be and mothers alike - we are all in this together. Being a parent is hard enough, doing it in another country without the support from our family and close friends is a tough journey many of us are trying to figure out. Let's do it together.





Ilena's reflection questions:



[ ] In the 12-24 months before I became pregnant, I was preoccupied with...

[ ] If I reflect back to my pregnancy, these are the ideas, the ideals and the topics, that I was preoccupied with

[ ] As I look back now, on those 12-24 months before pregnancy, and that period in pregnancy, I wish I had spent more time exploring...

[ ] As I glance back into my matrescence journey thus far, these are the things that spring to mind as the most surprisingly fullfilling aspects of my inner and outter transformation.

[ ] These are the realisations about the way I was parented and how matrescence was modelled to me as I have been on the journey through matrescence

[ ] As I look forward to the next 12 months of my identity expansion, beyond the every day parenting, I would like to explore these aspects of my identity and of my experience of matrescence

Summer is coming and as the sun will shine down in the Netherlands, and summer holiday vibes will be in the air

Together with Elizabeth Goode from Goode Writes and Reads, where, Eva and Maren are happy to announce the DamGoode Bookclub - will be reading three parenting books over the summer.

You will be able to listen in to our synopsis on these books, on the first Monday of each month over the summer.



The books chosen are:

June: The Happiest Kids in the World: Bringing up Children the Dutch Way by Rina Mae Acosta and Michele Hutchison 



July: The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did by Philippa Perry



August: The Whole-Brain Child : 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J Siegel

Be sure to join us on Instagram for each DamGoode Bookclub and join in on the chats - give your own perspective if you read the books - or even suggestions if there are other books you want to hear about.

In this enlightening episode, Maren and Eva sit down with Dr. Naomi to delve into the world of parental identity shifts. Parenthood is a transformative journey that reshapes one's sense of self in profound ways. Dr. Naomi unpacks the complexities of this transition, exploring the emotional, psychological, and relational changes that parents experience. From navigating new roles and responsibilities to confronting unexpected challenges, we explore the multifaceted nature of identity transformation in the context of parenthood.
Tune in to gain insights into understanding and embracing these changes, fostering growth, resilience, and deeper connections within the family dynamic.

Be sure to share with your community, as these episodes are created especially for our international community. It's hard going through Matrescence - without knowing whats involved, and also in a new country, city, without the comforts of home.

You can find out more about Dr Naomi on her website:
DrNaomiGibson.com

Instagram:
thegoodenoughpsychologist


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