161: Medication, Motherhood and Mental Health: Navigating Anxiety in Pregnancy and Postpartum with NAPS Mom Jackie

Join us for an honest and deeply personal conversation about anxiety, OCD, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health. In this episode, Jackie, a mom of two, opens up about her lifelong struggle with anxiety, the difficult decision to stop medication during pregnancy, and the severe panic attacks and sleep struggles that followed. She shares how finding the right psychiatrist and staying on medication during her second pregnancy completely transformed her experience.

If you've ever questioned whether to stay on meds during pregnancy, struggled with postpartum anxiety, or felt the weight of mental health in motherhood—this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Jackie’s lifelong anxiety and OCD diagnosis—and how it shaped her parenting journey

• Why she stopped taking medication during pregnancy—and the extreme anxiety that followed

• How a major life trigger during pregnancy sent her into panic attacks and severe sleep deprivation

• The importance of finding the right psychiatrist and mental health provider

• How staying on medication during her second pregnancy changed everything

• Why sleep is essential for mental health—and how it affects anxiety and intrusive thoughts

• Breaking the stigma around postpartum anxiety, depression, and OCD

Key Takeaway:

"We spend so much time thinking about what’s best for the baby—we forget that what’s best for mom is just as important."

Resources & Mentions:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI) – A leading organization for perinatal mental health support

• NAPS Mental Health Resource Guide – A curated list of trusted mental health providers and support options

• Find a Perinatal Psychiatrist – PSI’s directory of mental health professionals

Mental health in motherhood is real—and it deserves more attention. Listen now for a raw, insightful conversation about anxiety, pregnancy, and the power of finding the right support.

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